Image courtesy of artists Erick Guadarrama and Benedetta Chan.
Every month, the Arts Council funds wonderful community art projects and professional development opportunities at up to $1,000. Here are the four diverse projects that received funding last month:
• Mural on Broadway is a 12-by-25-foot mural at Leo’s Mexican Grill. The mural depicts Mexican film actress Maria Félix, considered one of the most important female figures of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. The mural is the creation of local artists Erick Guadarrama and Benedetta Chan, who recently completed a mural of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera at the Packard building.
• STEMagine 2016: Where Art Meets Science is an art, science and engineering fair at Holmes Elementary. The fair, which took place on April 15, hosted 38 booths including an art exhibit, STEM Mural Creation, face painting, photography and musicians. Where Art Meets Science is designed to link learning between home, school and community and prepare students for future careers.
• Taking it to the Street Choir is a public performance at Applebee’s restaurant in Signal Hill on Memorial Day. The performance is organized by the Rock Club Music is the Remedy and partner American Gold Star Manor, a retirement community for families of fallen soldiers and seniors. This performance is part of the Gold Star Manor Choir program that gives 20 to 30 residents choir training.
• Long Beach Zine Fest is a one-day free event promoting zines and zine culture held at the Museum of Latin American Art. Over the course of six hours on Sunday, April 25, 90 artists, partners and community groups will take over most of the museum with a schedule of workshops, presentations, vendors and more. The Long Beach Zine Fest is planning a series of “pre-events” that will take place before the festival and serve as a preview of the big day.
Apply for a microgrant today! Applications are due the 15th of each month. The Arts Council recently revised microgrant guidelines to streamline the process and make it easier to apply and receive funding. For more information and to apply, please visit www.artslb.org/services/grants.