More than 150 community members joined together to paint a mural outside of the Manhattan Beach Art Center on Saturday.

The mural, designed by Josh Barnes of Love and Loyalty Studio of Hermosa Beach, features a muted blue and green floral design with an image of the Manhattan Beach Pier in the center. The design was selected following a community vote and City Council approval. It was painted on the south-facing parking lot wall of the Manhattan Beach Art Center (along 11th Street).

The mural is this year's project from the Leadership Manhattan Beach Class of 2022, and is designed to align with the group's belief that “Art Makes Community”. The goal, according to the group, is to develop community spirit by promoting inclusion, collaboration, creativity, and mental well-being; while increasing visibility of the MB Art Center.

"Thanks to the teamwork of Leadership Manhattan Beach Class of 2022 and the amazing 150-plus community volunteers, the mural painting event was a huge success," said Cynthia Clarke, a member of this year's Leadership Manhattan Beach class. "There is now a profound welcome at the 11th Street entrance into the Manhattan Beach Art Center and everyone was delighted to see their artistry come to life."

Manhattan Beach community members in attendance included Manhattan Beach Mayor Hildy Stern, Councilmember Suzanne Hadley, and Councilmember Joe Franklin; members of the city's Cultural Arts Commission; Parks and Recreation Director Mark Leyman; Cultural Arts Manager Eilen Stewart; MBUSD school board members; former mayors David Lesser and Wayne Powell; Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair board members; representatives from L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell's office; and teen volunteers from Amigos Unidos.

 

"Neighbors stopped by to see what was going on and stayed to paint, siblings spent time together, and some of our volunteers decided to stay all day - everything that we were hoping for in this unifying community event," said Clarke.

 

The next step is for artist Josh Barnes to make the finishing touches and apply anti-graffiti coating to ensure the longevity of the mural. These steps should be completed by the end of this week, according to Clarke.

The project was designed to support the Manhattan Beach Art Center's Revitalization Project, which identified the need for murals in strategic locations. Furthermore, the 2020 Parks Master Plan identified the need to develop a sense of community. LMB created the mural project with the aim of fulfilling both of those goals.

Leadership Manhattan Beach is a 501c(3) non-profit offering participants a nine-month program that educates and develops future community leaders. LMB has been connecting its students with Manhattan Beach departments as well as city executives for 30 years. (This year, LMB’s 15-member class includes three Mira Costa High School students.)

The program, which runs from September through May of each year, culminates in a final project to benefit the community.