Downtown Santa Monica Celebrates Black History Month with Public Art Installations Created by Black Artists on Third Street Promenade

This February, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) will recognize and celebrate Black History Month on Third Street Promenade with art installations by local Black artists and a banner program to honor historic Santa Monica Trailblazers for their significant achievements and contributions to the community.

DTSM will present three public art displays in storefront windows beginning Wednesday, February 10 through March 15, 2021, from A Brilliant Dummy, Shplinton, and Mira Gandy. Each art installation celebrates the Black experience as part of a greater effort in the City of Santa Monica to deepen the community's knowledge and foster understanding of other cultures and experiences that have been marginalized or overlooked due to a legacy of slavery and institutional racism.

DTSM worked closely with Black Santa Monica Tours and Concierge, Robbie Jones, and the Quinn Research Center, whose mission is to empower community members by being an educational resource that promotes the study and research of Black Family History and Culture in the Santa Monica Bay Area, to feature Black Santa Monica Trailblazers on decorative banners along the Third Street Promenade.

DTSM encourages everyone to visit DowntownSM.com to read more about their contributions in our community and to find a full calendar of Black History Month events produced by the City of Santa Monica.

The Black History Month Art Installation Project was made possible by "Art of Recovery," an initiative of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs, santamonica.gov/arts/artofrecovery #DTSMBlackHistory #ArtofRecovery #ArtSaMo #SantaMonicaShines

DTSM remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of the community, visitors, and staff. Face coverings are required when visiting the art installations on Third Street Promenade and all guests are encouraged to practice physical distancing. For more information on the new health and safety guidelines as well as details on what to expect when visiting the Third Street Promenade, please visit DowntownSM.com.

WHEN:

Wednesday, February 10 - Monday, March 15, 2021

WHERE:

Installations are viewable at three locations along the Third Street Promenade.

Shplinton - 1201 Third Street Promenade

Mira Gandy - 1344 Third Street Promenade

A Brilliant Dummy - 1343 Third Street Promenade

About A Brilliant Dummy

Tiayrra Bradley is a photographer and creative director with a passion for creating stories of impact and joy through visual arts. Bradley’s entrepreneurial spirit is what drives her to continuously find new ways to express ideas, while encouraging others to do the same.

About Shplinton

Shplinton is a Los Angeles based artist that creates work centered around the theme of joy, wellness, and hustle. Using vibrant colors and lively figures he tells the story of a creative’s evolution.

About Mira Gandy

Mira Gandy is a visual artist whose paintings, collages, videos and installations examine issues related to women, identity, beauty, race, history and their intersection in media and culture. Gandy studied at the American University in Paris, France and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern California Roski School of Art and Design where a Black Alumni Scholarship was created in her honor. She founded The Gandy Art House organization to provide creative opportunities for youth, families and the LGBTQ+ community to engage in visual, performance and healing arts projects.

PARKING:

Parking is widely available in the downtown structures including the Santa Monica Public Library or Parking Structures 9 and 10 just north of Wilshire Boulevard. Biking, walking and public transit are encouraged.

MORE INFORMATION:

For more information, visit DowntownSM.com or follow @DTSantaMonica on Instagram and Twitter or DowntownSantaMonica on Facebook.