Archive for May, 2010

Summer of Color by ‘Portraits of Hope’

‘Portraits of Hope Project’:

(public art, creative therapy, community volunteerism, education….)

From the world renown beaches of Southern California (Zuma, Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Manhattan, Hermosa and Palos Verdes), the lifeguard towers, 156 total, will be transformed from plain to dramatic structures that will be viewed from land, sea and air.

Having set the stage, it was my good pleasure to assist the Massey Bros.  once again.

I was called upon for my expertise as a builder and artist.

First; my task was to verify all measurements for the panels. These were pre-outlined in black with appropriate patterns in preparation for painting. Approximately 6,000 people participated in the painting of the panels.

Second; as time was nearing for the installation of the panels, the railings of the lifeguard stations needed to receive a fresh look. Yellow, Orange, Green, Purple and Blue were the colors chosen. The railings were painted in sequence.

Third; with 1,200 plus participants, the 156 towers were to be painted in 4 hours. To achieve this, the week before, I instructed a team of volunteers re: the ‘how to’ paint the rails. this was filmed, to be viewed by 1,200+ volunteers.

During this time, a coordinated effort by Beach & Harbor and lifeguards, was made to prepare all supplies and material for each tower.

Thus, on Sunday the 25th of April, 1,200+ people stormed the beaches of Southern California with coffee in one hand and a paintbrush in the other. By midday the railings were done.

The following week, I and a small group of volunteers inspected and touched-up/cleaned-up where needed, all the towers.

The stations now ready, we did a test installation on the 11th of May on one tower to nip and tuck where necessary and to calculate and coordinate the official installation of the panels on the 18th of May.

For the next 2 to 3 weeks, these beaches will be filled with teams of volunteers to bring to fruition the ‘Summer of Color’.

[Show slideshow]

To keep abreast of the progress you can also visit facebook/portraitsofhope.