Images courtesy of Studio One Eleven and P+R Architects. Rendering of Erick Guadarrama’s Barrio Basquiat, a nod to the acclaimed artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Studio One Eleven and Perkowitz + Ruth (P+R) Architects have selected four artists from a call for submissions in July, to paint four murals within their new office space as soon-to-be anchor tenants of City Place, the shopping center currently undergoing a four-year makeover of its 35,000 square feet.
Artists Lynn Azali, Alex Diffin, Erick Guadarrama and Eric “KING CRE8” Walker have already begun working on their murals within the two firms’ offices, located on 3rd Street at the north end of the Promenade. The artwork will be unveiled in mid-October, according to the release.
Rendering of Lynn Azali’s Wild Parrots of Long Beach, which celebrates the non-native birds living in Long Beach.
“This process has allowed us to feature talented local artists whose work celebrates the urban life of downtown Long Beach,” said Michael Bohn, senior principal at Studio One Eleven, in a statement. “All of the entries showcased the artistic talent of Long Beach, but ultimately we selected the artists that would best reflect our passion for street art and urban revitalization. The artists will also complement a raw open industrial work environment.”
Artists were encouraged to incorporate the theme “Celebrating Urban Life” in their submissions while expressing their artistic freedom. The artists selected submitted works that use a variety of techniques, from vinyl application to spray paint, all to help the two firms create a unique work environment for their more than 130 employees.
Rendering of Eric “KING CRE8” Walker’s Smooth Sweet Love, part of the artist’s Love series of murals.
“Each of the artists brings something unique to the space,” stated Sumako Sozdatel, the local arts consultant who led the Call for Artists. “Our goal was to select Long Beach area artists who embody the street style and urban texture of the city while, at the same time, also reflecting their own experiences within the landscape.”
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Not only will the interior of the space be covered in murals, but the exterior will also be enhanced with the work of Downey-born and Los Angeles-based street artist Bumblebeelovesyou, who will paint two pieces on the building. You can also view the artist’s work nearby on the alley-facing wall of Berlin Bistro off of Fourth Street.
Rendering of the two murals to be created by Bumblebeelovesyou.
Both murals—one to depict a bicycle signifying Long Beach’s cycling culture and the other to feature a girl taking a photo, representing Studio One Eleven’s and P+R Architect’s work examining and developing urban environments—were commissioned by the two firms. Bumbleelovesyou currently has works in the Long Beach Museum of Art, the Lancaster Museum of Art and History, as well as Thinkspace Gallery in Los Angeles.
The new offices will be located at 245 Third Street in downtown Long Beach.
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