EDUCATION – MBEF to unveil ‘Seeds of Knowledge’ monument
by Mark McDermott
Five years ago, when Manhattan Beach Education Foundation executive director Hilary Mahan first began investigating how other ed foundations created art installations celebrating community support for education, the idea was just that — to erect a “recognition wall” naming community members who helped bolster education in local schools.
But sometimes things seem to align of their own accord. After hundreds of hours of discussions with the MBEF board, an extensive search for the right artist to complete the project, and finally another search for the right location, the project was completed this month. On May 6, the “Seeds of Knowledge” community recognition art installation will be unveiled, and it just so happens its timing coincides with MBEF’s 40th anniversary and a significant milestone indicative of the community support for education — the foundation has just reached $100 million in contributions to the Manhattan Beach Unified School District over its four decades.
The timing for this new monument to Manhattan Beach’s love for education, in other words, could not be better.
“The fact that it comes to a culmination with the 40th year anniversary of MBEF is remarkable. Would I love to say that this was the plan all along? Absolutely,” Mahan said. “But it’s just incredibly serendipitous that we are able to mark this special occasion with this wall of appreciation. And on top of that, MBEF has contributed $100 million to our schools in dedicated funding for educational programs in our schools over those 40 years — all of this, this year. It’s pretty remarkable.”
The artist MBEF found is one of California’s most prolific public artists, Betsy K. Schulz. She has completed more than 20 public art installations, including multiple projects at UC Davis and for the California State Parks. Schuz has also worked on so-called “donor recognition” projects previously, but what MBEF sought for this project went beyond recognition financial donors — they wanted a monument to the entire community’s support of education, and not only financial contributions, but teachers and volunteers and MBUSD support staff. The idea was to show just how much this community values education, and how many people play a role in achieving MBUSD’s excellence.
Mahan said the purpose of the project is not simply to attract more donors and honor past donations.
“This is meant to celebrate all individuals in our community. It celebrates our teachers, it celebrates our volunteers, it celebrates the small donor, it celebrates the large donor, it celebrates our businesses, it celebrates those who have voted for a parcel tax or bond measure,” she said.
“And it celebrates the neighbor who waves to the student next door who is on their way to school.”
Shulz titled her work, “Seeds of Knowledge.” It celebrates both MBEF’s four decades of support to MBUSD schools and the wonder-inducing role education plays in students’ lives. An invitation to the May 6 unveiling describes the art on the wall: “The mural depicts a child discovering the world — the layers of earth beneath her, the environment around her, and the future represented in the stars.”
Appropriately, given the City of Manhattan Beach’s long standing support of MBUSD schools, the City also partnered on the art installation. When MBEF was looking for a location, City officials brought Mahan and other board members to Metlox Plaza, right in the heart of downtown — where the perfect expanse of blank wall seemed to be awaiting art.
“The City of Manhattan Beach and the City Council as partners really helped to make this happen,” Mahan said.
“Because the concept of recognizing support of our schools could potentially go on a school campus, that was the first suggestion. But we wanted this to be a true recognition of the entire community. And to do that it needed to be a visible location within our community….When we saw this wall, it was evident that this was the place.”
Mayor Richard Montgomery said the City was more than pleased to help locate the mural. He said the project is indicative of the pride the City feels in its partnership with MBUSD and MBEF.
“This mural in a public space provides a way for the City and MBEF to not only memorialize that partnership,” Montgomery said, “but display it for our entire community.”
The mural does also include donor recognitions, of course, as well as honoring past MBEF leaders and local businesses who have been key contributors.
“It’s been a long, long effort,” Mahan said. “And a much appreciated effort, on behalf of those who came before us, as well.”
School board president Cathey Graves reflected on the intertwined history of MBEF and MBUSD. The education foundation, she said, is more than an organization, but part of the very fabric of what makes local schools special.
“Over the past 40 years, MBUSD has been the beneficiary of over $100,000,000 in grants from the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation,” Graves said. “MBEF is our partner. But more than that it is our community. It is the parents and residents of MB who value a high-quality education for our children. Each year MBEF’s Board of Directors works with District leadership, school principals, and teachers to identify programs that are most aligned with student needs, parent priorities, and Board goals. MBEF grants reach all of our students, grades K-12, and allow the District to not only reduce class sizes and offer some of the best counseling ratios in the state, but enhance our award-winning programs in music, the arts, and STEM fields. We join with MBEF in thanking our community for their amazing support over the years as MBEF unveils the donor wall at Metlox next Saturday….Thank you MBEF and thank you Manhattan Beach! Together, we make MBUSD schools great!
A celebration of MBEF’s 40th Anniversary and the unveiling of “Seeds of Knowledge” will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on May 6 at Metlox Plaza. Refreshments will be served. Members of the Mira Costa High School band and choir will perform. See MBEF.org for more information. ER