On Tuesday, September 24 from 5–7 p.m. the Arts Council for Long Beach will be celebrating inclusion and diversity with the completion of a new mural at Washington Middle School. The Arts Council’s effort is to spotlight the collaborative work of muralist Kenny McBride , of McBride Arts , and concept artist Bryan Amburgey. The mural depicts “Lady Liberty welcoming people into the heart shaped hole” said artist Bryan Amburgey. In January the Arts Council for Long Beach published a call for artists through the Arts Council’s artist registry for future city-wide public art project initiatives. In tandem, the Arts Council for Long Beach partnered with Senator Gonzalez (previously Long Beach councilmember) to secure a location for the mural project at Washington Middle School with Long Beach Unified School District. This proposal was voted top on the list from a pool of proposals by members of the community at various events leading up to the installation of the mural which started in August. The Arts Council for Long Beach believes that public art connects neighborhoods, offers residents and visitors insight into our collective heritage.

This Arts Council Public Art project is sponsored by the City of Long Beach, Council District 1, Southern California Edison, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, and Dunn-Edwards. Project partners will be in attendance, along with Senator Gonzalez.

The event takes place in the Cafeteria from 5–7 p.m and will be in tandem with Washington Middle Schools bi-annual open house event. The mural is located at the backside of Washington Middle School on the cross-streets of Pacific and 15th St.

 For more information email lisa.desmidt@artslb.org or call (562) 435-2787. 

Event details:

What: Washington Middle School Mural Celebration

 When: Tuesday, September 24 from 5–7 p.m

 Who: Kenny Mc Bride and Bryan Amburgey

 Where: Cafeteria of Washington Middle School
1450 Cedar Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813