Hermosa Beach residents were given a sneak peek at the fourth historical mural as part of the Hermosa Beach Mural Project on Monday. It was announced that the fourth painting will be the smallest to date — only 8 by 12 feet — and will be featured on the West side of 500 Pier Ave on the SC Escrow Services, Inc. building.
“It’s always exciting for us to make this vision come true,” HB murals president Chuck Sheldon said. “When we get more murals in place it will add an artistic element to Hermosa Beach and will soften the town in some measure.”
The committee’s first mural was painted on 14th Street and Hermosa Avenue and features a scene of the Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza in 1924.
“Our goal is to do ten murals in ten years,” said Sheldon. “But to be honest we’re struggling to find ten acceptable walls in Hermosa.”
The fourth mural will be painted by local Palos Verdes resident Steve Shriver.
“Each one is different, the artists have all been different too,” HB Murals Project secretary George Schmeltzer said. “Trying to connect murals to [Hermosa] history without being repetitive is a challenge; it’s not just public art.”
The mural will encompass beach style from the early 1900’s until now.
“Life’s a beach and it has been for 105 years,” Sheldon wrote in an email explaining the project. “Our beachwear reflects all that was and wasn’t always condoned.”
“There’s a controversial edge to it to a certain degree,” Shriver said. “Especially with the bathing suit restrictions in the 30s. We focused mostly on women’s suits – because when a woman wears a skimpy suit it’s not as bad a guy.”
Shriver submitted an idea for the second mural painted by Chris Coakley on the South-West corner of 140 Pier Avenue that features a girl throwing paint onto a wall that morphs into a scene of the town in 1909. He thinks that the committee contacted him for the fourth mural because they were made aware of his work then.
“The design has been hard for me because it lacks structure in a way,” said Shriver. “I’m artistically trying to get this to work and it’s a challenge not to rock any feathers with my imagery.”
This will be Shriver’s first public mural. He has previously done indoor work at homes and at a casino.
Nancy Siqueiros, who owns 500 Pier Avenue, said she is excited to have a part of the community highlighted on her building.
“It’s just enhancing the whole community vibe,” Siqueiros said.
Schmeltzer estimates that the concept is seventy five percent done and the actual painting of the mural will take less than 30 days.
“I’m excited to do it,” said Shriver. ER
