Over a dozen Southern California queer artists chosen for Pride month celebration
SANTA MONICA, May 25, 2021 — The Santa Monica Pier, Downtown Santa Monica, and Santa Monica Place, in collaboration with the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica Travel and Tourism are excited to announce the artists selected to participate in the "Rainbow Road Art Walk'' on display June 4 - 30, 2021. Curated in partnership with Allies in Arts, the rainbow-lit art walk exclusively features the creations of LGBTQIA+ visual artists and spans the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place and the Santa Monica Pier.
The art walk is a dynamic collection of murals, photo installations, interactive and multimedia works from over a dozen innovative artists and artist groups local to Southern California. Featured artists include Annie Hong aka Hootnannie whose piece "Where Will U Take You" will be on display at Santa Monica Place. Recognized by vibrant eye-catching whimsical wordplay, Hootnannie's work challenges contemporary art narratives and seeks to voice underrepresented perspectives, informed by their experience navigating the world as a queer, gender-nonconforming, first generation Asian American artist.
Very Gay Paint, the beloved painting duo comprised of LA-based comedians Nicholas Scheppard and Jenson Titus will apply their evocative colorplay to the Santa Monica Pier for a "Very Gay Mural." The pair have made a name for themselves with their signature custom murals of mainly geometric, retro and landscape designs with flowing lines and muted color palettes.
"The Mothers of Pride Pearly Gateway" interactive installation on the Third Street Promenade by gender fluid AfroIndigenous artist Grey... references indigenous ideology that considers queer beings to be sacred gatekeepers between this world and the rest. Visitors will be invited to stand beneath the playful arch, contemplating how spiritual iconography resonates within LGBTQIA+ community and expressing gratitude for the leaders who made Pride possible.
The queer, women of color-owned and operated floral studio in Los Angeles, UnderNewMGMT, in collaboration with ShakesTheArtist, will present "Protest and Pageantry" a 3D multimedia floral installation on the Third Street Promenade. Inspired by trans performers turned activists, this piece is both a celebration of iconic trans POC performers (such as Marsha P. Johnson, Sir Lady Java, Sylvia Rivera) and a tribute to the numerous trans lives lost to violence. Mixing art and florals, UnderNewMGMT utilizes vintage and recycled materials to create sustainable event and floral options.
Spanish-born artist and designer Yaicecream and LA-based illustrator Jeromy Velasco join forces for a collaborative 3D mixed-media installation titled "Chosen Family" on the Third Street Promenade. Depicting a floating dance floor over the Los Angeles skyline, the piece serves to evoke the ways in which chosen families can be an important method of survival and source of support for members of the LGBTQ+ community. The interactive piece encourages viewers to engage with the imagery and take a photo with their chosen family and loved ones.
Additional artists and works include "Queer Bodies / Queer Identities" a black and white photography installation by Katt Foxx; "I Stand With Trans Youth" and "I Love My Queer Family," interactive pieces by James Kinsley Daniel in support of trans youth; "Rainbows of Resilience," a technicolor, large-scale digital illustration of a Pride parade scene by Parisa Parnian; "Celebrate" by Grey... & Grayson Prnce whose sculpture letters will spell out LGBTQIA+; "The ArtsNotParts Archive'' by Grey… which was part of a collective street art movement made in response and defense of the trans community in 2017 following anti-trans legislation enacted by President Trump; "Together Forever." by Erick Luis; "E(we) are all Crazy Beautiful!" featuring artist Ricky Sencion's "sheep moonsters;" and Chris Classen's multimedia piece "Love Letters." HAUS OF DéVLIN's colorful multi-textured floral-based installation "Pride-a-Blooma'' will be on display inside the Fairmont Hotel on Wilshire Blvd as a visual representation of the joyful energy of Pride.
All installations will be on display June 4 - 30, 2021. For more information on SaMo PRIDE and for a full list of artists and an interactive map of the art walk visit smpride.com.
About Allies in Arts
Allies in Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports artists of all mediums who are women, BIPOC and LGBTQQIA2S+ through exhibitions, screenings, paid work, and partnerships with our sponsors. As long as there is discrimination, we need Allies. Let's even the odds. Together. http://www.alliesinarts.org/
About Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) that works with the City of Santa Monica to manage services and operations in Downtown Santa Monica that promote economic stability, growth and community life within Downtown Santa Monica. DTSM, Inc. manages the Property-based Business Assessment District (PBAD) that encompasses the area bounded by Ocean Avenue (W), Wilshire Boulevard (N), Lincoln Boulevard (E) and the Santa Monica Freeway (S). downtownsm.com
About Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier Corporation (SMPC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, public benefit corporation dedicated to preserving and enhancing the Santa Monica experience for all visitors. SMPC provides impactful location -specific programming year-round, upholding the Pier as a relevant world-class destination that is free and open to all. santamonicapier.org
About Santa Monica Place
Located steps away from the Pacific Ocean and iconic Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Place is a unique, outdoor shopping destination, home to Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Nike, and a collection of specialty shops, digitally native brands and inspired dining concepts.
For more information, visit SantaMonicaPlace.com or interact with us via Facebook or Instagram. Access our Concierge services anytime via text: 310.499.2928.
About The City of Santa Monica
The City of Santa Monica is a full-service municipality working on behalf of Santa Monica's 93,000 residents. We are a community of 8.3 square miles along the Santa Monica Bay with a mix of residential neighborhoods, an expansive parks system, vibrant business districts and world-renowned destinations, including the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade. Santa Monica is an inclusive community that puts the highest value on sustainability and wellbeing. For more information on City news, events, and ways to get involved, visit santamonica.gov.