“Seabirds soaring high above!” That’s the feeling you get standing before the Exuberant Birds: Seabird Pole Sculpture. This vibrant artwork is part of the Longfellow Sustainable Street Project. It enhances the Borderline Neighborhood.
Planning for this public art began in 2012. Residents wanted public art. So $35,000 was allocated from the construction budget. City staff collaborated with the Borderline Neighborhood Group. They identified key elements. These elements reflected the neighborhood’s unique character. They also harmonized with the project’s nature.
Artists Lauren Evans and Margaret Lazarri were chosen via an open process. Their proposal was “Exuberant Birds.” They visited the neighborhood multiple times. They created art reflecting the close community. It mirrors the creative character of the neighborhood. Malina Moore is the Cultural Affairs Supervisor. She highlighted the artwork’s community connection.
The Exuberant Birds: Seabird Pole Sculpture features godwits. It also shows seagulls, a brown pelican, and a heron. These shapes are cutout corrugated aluminum. The artists hand-painted each one. Grasses grow at the base of the 16-foot high pole. It adds a touch of nature to the urban landscape.
Lauren Evans is a visual artist. She works in sculpture and digital media. She has taught and created art in California since 1987. Lauren earned her MFA in sculpture at USC. She has displayed her work nationally. She has contributed to public art in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties.
Margaret Lazzari also earned an MFA. She studied at Washington University in St. Louis. Since then, she has exhibited in galleries and museums. Margaret authored “The Practical Handbook for the Emerging Artist.” She also wrote “Exploring Art: A Global Thematic Approach.” She received a USC Innovative Teaching Grant. She also received a USC Zumberge Fellowship. A grant from the National Endowment for the Arts supported her work.
Lazzari and Evans are based in Los Angeles California. They are a public art painter and sculptor team.
The Exuberant Birds project includes three poles. The “Parrot Pole” features California wild parrots. The “Perching Bird Pole” shows a scrub jay. It also displays a hummingbird, house finch, and goldfinch. Each pole celebrates the local birdlife.
The City of Santa Monica boasts an extensive public art collection. The Exuberant Birds: Seabird Pole Sculpture is a unique part of it. It reflects community pride and artistic vision. Take a moment to appreciate the Exuberant Birds: Seabird Pole Sculpture. Notice the birds soaring above you. Imagine the neighborhood’s vibrant spirit.