6:00am | Candice Gawne, known mainly for her incredibly captivating work with neon lights, is not one too removed from Burbank Elementary School cornering 4th Street and Junipero Avenue along the heart of Retro Row. In fact, she has been an artist-in-residence there and has always been amazed by the work of children there.
In a collaboration with graphic artist Eric Lynxwiler, the two worked to reinterpret various versions of artwork from the students of Burbank Elementary as banners to hang along the streetlamps lining 4th Street. The whimsical banners, complete with saturated colors and pattern-like graphics, brighten the pathway from Cherry to Junipero.
“It was my pleasure to work with the children’s images and found them to be very exciting,” said Gawne. “As an artist, it was my goal to pull the joyful spirit of the childrens’ work and share it with Long Beach, and I feel we accomplished that.”
The students’ artwork itself was created as part of the Arts Council’s Eye on Design public art education program. Eye on Design is a program for third-graders that encourages civic involvement, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving through a customized residency program. As part of the residency, students learn about the history of their neighborhood, go on field trips to see public art in the East Village Arts District, and create original artwork to beautify their community.
After the street banners go off display, they will go to Burbank Elementary to use as part of the school’s Garden of the Mind Initiative. The initiative was formed in 2009, when a natural coalition of community members and school personnel came together to enhance the school grounds and façade. In addition to the street banners, the school has added gardens and artwork around the campus.
