City’s Public Arts Committee Approves Pier Banners

PRC Members Wary of Artists’ Theme

Clara Sturak
Associate editor

   The Public Art Committee of the Santa Monica Arts Commission met Tuesday, February 5 to discuss approval of a proposal for creation of fine art banners to hang on the Santa Monica Pier.
   After some discussion, the Committee unanimously approved the proposal by local artists Steve Galloway and Michael McMillen, who plan to create a series of 27 different images so that no two banners will be alike.
   Funding for the banner project comes as a result of a City ordinance mandating that one percent of all public capital construction go to community artwork – and in the case of the pier, any such funds raised from pier projects must stay on the pier. Thanks in part to the pier restoration process, the fund now holds $120,000, of which $50,000 will be spent on the banners.
   Pier Restoration Corporation (PRC) Chair Jan Pelchikoff came up with the idea for banners as the preferred public art for the pier, an idea that was approved by the PRC board.
   In August 2001, the Arts Commission sent out a request for qualifications to Los Angeles County artists, and received more than 30 applications. A judging panel, made up of Rebecca Morse, curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art; Tracy Shiffman, graphic designer; Carol Wells, art historian and director of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics; Dextra Frankel, museum exhibition designer and Arts Commission member; and Palchikoff, cut the list to three finalists. The artists made their final proposals to another judging panel, which unanimously recommended to the public arts committee that Galloway and McMillen create the banners.
   Although they were met with enthusiasm by Public Arts Committee members, the style of the proposed banners gave pause to members of the PRC, the non-profit City agency that oversees the pier and manages its daily operations.
   The banners are painted to resemble old-fashioned fly-bills promoting carnivals and boardwalks. Some celebrate the true history of Santa Monica’s beach culture (“The Toonerville Fun House - Ocean Park Midway -1926”), while others take a more fanciful approach (“1912 -‘Milo’- The Swimming Rooster -S.M. to Catalina”).
   Artists Galloway and McMillen told the committee that their intention was to “have a lively, spontaneous take on what the pier has been, what the pier is, and what the pier will be.” Committee members embraced the concept, calling it “original,” “wonderful,” and fitting with “our image as ourselves as Santa Monicans.”
   Marty Borko, Ellen Brennan and Jean Wyner of the PRC spoke during the public comment period, Borko and Brennan expressing concern that the artists did not focus directly on “the things people like to do at the pier,” and asking that the PRC be allowed to “have some interface” with the artists.
   Galloway and McMillen agreed to “listen to suggestions,” but Arts Commission Liaison Maria Luisa de Herrera made it clear that the fund was set aside “to acquire fine art for the city, not to hire a commercial artist [that would have to answer to others’ wishes].”
   After the meeting, de Herrera reiterated that “this is not a billboard project…it’s about adding fine art to the pier experience,” but said she felt that the meeting had gone well, and that “everyone left happy.”
   Brennan, for her part, allowed that she felt “dramatically disappointed” by the Committee’s decision, and felt that the banners may have been “the best art,” but they were the “least harmonious” with the pier.
   If the project is approved, as expected, the completed banners will be hung on street lights from the Pier entrance to its base.
   The brightly-colored artwork will be printed on weather-resistant vinyl that lasts three years on average. Two copies of each design will be made.
   The full Arts Commission meets for final approval of the banners on Monday, February 25. Since the project has already been funded, there is no need for City Council approval.