Lori Escalera recently updated the video of the original Postcards from Ballona mural project (1995-1997) to add the recent (2009) renovation. So now you can see the entire history of the Postcards mural in one place at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zWOL9FYUi8
Friday, September 18, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The Mural Gets a Coat
The roll-application of KrystalKote CTF (gloss clear) to help graffiti-proof the mural was completed on Thursday, April 23. Two painters took less than an hour to completely roll-apply two coats of clearcoat to the mural, with the third painter brushing out the light bubbling. All the bubbles quickly brushed out.
(Photos courtesy of Douglass Moody)
The roll-application of KrystalKote CTF (gloss clear) to help graffiti-proof the mural was completed on Thursday, April 23. Two painters took less than an hour to completely roll-apply two coats of clearcoat to the mural, with the third painter brushing out the light bubbling. All the bubbles quickly brushed out.
(Photos courtesy of Douglass Moody)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Postcards are Baaaaaaack!!!!!!
Thanks to the tremendous organizational and artistic skills of Lori Escalera, the Postcards from Ballona mural is once again up and running. Who would have thought that just a week ago the wall behind the Julian Dixon Library in Culver City was nothing more than a graffiti-covered eyesore—and now it is once again telling the history of the Ballona area.Artists Lucy Blake-Elahi and Francois Bardol seemed to render their magic in the blink of an eye (and like every artist, super-critical of their own work, no matter how good it is!). Philip Nagai (Culver City Art Group member and second place winner in the 2008 Holiday Show) turned out to be a great asset to the project.
All the volunteers (whose numbers seemed to increase as the days passed) were terrific. The project could not have been completed without them. This was truly a community effort of artists, students and neighbors. The citizens of Culver City once again showed their true colors as people who get involved when they are asked.And as the painters worked, cyclists on the bike path shouted out their thanks and encouragement as they rode by. It's nice to know this mural makes a difference and is appreciated.
But the project doesn't end here. Taggers and vandals are still are a problem. It's up to all of us to be vigilant and report any graffiti or damage. You can call 310.253.5776.Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Renovated Mural Emerges
Hopefully, with the involvement of the community, we can keep our beautiful renovated mural graffiti-free from now on.
Artist Philip Nagai, Culver Art Group member, paints the sun
On Tuesday the mural really began to shape up.
Students from nearby Culver City schools came by to hear the story of the mural and its significance to the community.
Hopefully, with the involvement of the community, we can keep our beautiful renovated mural graffiti-free from now on.
For a Flash photo gallery with more photos, click here.
(all photos copyright roslyn m wilkins)
Community Mural Scheduled for Completion on Earth Day
Culver City, CA, April 22, 2009 – The Postcards from Ballona mural is scheduled for completion today, Earth Day, April 22, 2009. The mural is located on the bicycle path at Overland Avenue, behind the Julian Dixon Library branch in Culver City.
In 1995, three artists (Lori Escalera, Lucy Blake-Elahi, and Francois Bardol) and community volunteers—"The Ballona Creek Mural Committee"—conceived of an art project intended to beautify a section of the Ballona Creek bike path with “postcards” depicting the history of Culver City. (Ballona Creek was important to the livelihood of the Native Americans who once inhabited the area as well as the development of Culver City. For information on the early settlers and on Culver City, visit www.culvercity.org).
The scope of the project included gathering together local students, government, Culver City organizations, resident artists, and volunteers in order to create a sense of community involvement. The mural was completed in 1997.
In recent years, the mural has been subjected to vandalism and graffiti. With this restoration, the damage will be reversed.
As was the case when the mural was originally created, this restoration project is intended in part as a public awareness effort to help better protect the mural from future damage. Everybody is invited to come by, meet the artists, take photos, and view the mural as it nears completion.
For more information and to access downloadable photos and movie, please visit http://thestreetpainter.com/CommunityArt/UPCOMING%21.html
Culver City, CA, April 22, 2009 – The Postcards from Ballona mural is scheduled for completion today, Earth Day, April 22, 2009. The mural is located on the bicycle path at Overland Avenue, behind the Julian Dixon Library branch in Culver City.
In 1995, three artists (Lori Escalera, Lucy Blake-Elahi, and Francois Bardol) and community volunteers—"The Ballona Creek Mural Committee"—conceived of an art project intended to beautify a section of the Ballona Creek bike path with “postcards” depicting the history of Culver City. (Ballona Creek was important to the livelihood of the Native Americans who once inhabited the area as well as the development of Culver City. For information on the early settlers and on Culver City, visit www.culvercity.org).
The scope of the project included gathering together local students, government, Culver City organizations, resident artists, and volunteers in order to create a sense of community involvement. The mural was completed in 1997.
In recent years, the mural has been subjected to vandalism and graffiti. With this restoration, the damage will be reversed.
As was the case when the mural was originally created, this restoration project is intended in part as a public awareness effort to help better protect the mural from future damage. Everybody is invited to come by, meet the artists, take photos, and view the mural as it nears completion.
For more information and to access downloadable photos and movie, please visit http://thestreetpainter.com/CommunityArt/UPCOMING%21.html
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Get Ready, Get Set, Paint!
Another hot hot hot day on Ballona Creek. But that didn't deter the artists and volunteers who worked all day.
Another hot hot hot day on Ballona Creek. But that didn't deter the artists and volunteers who worked all day.
To see a gallery of more photos. click here!
(photos copyright roslyn m wilkins)
Monday, April 20, 2009
Measuring, Snapping and Drawing
Sunday saw the first stirrings of life on the bright white wall behind the Julian Dixon Library. Artists and volunteers gathered on one of the hottest days of the year to get started on the renewal of the Postcards from Ballona mural. 
First the wall was measured and marked off with the use of a level. Then the lines were snapped both horizontally and vertically to form squares. 
Sunday saw the first stirrings of life on the bright white wall behind the Julian Dixon Library. Artists and volunteers gathered on one of the hottest days of the year to get started on the renewal of the Postcards from Ballona mural. First the wall was measured and marked off with the use of a level. Then the lines were snapped both horizontally and vertically to form squares. 
Lori Escalera instructed the volunteers on how to follow the design when drawing on the wall.
Then the fun began as volunteers paired up to draw on the wall with markers. No need to worry about mistakes as a pot of white gesso was nearby to cover up any errors.
And so the first day came to an end with a job well done.
(For a Flash slide show of the day's events with a lot more photos, click here.)
Tomorrow: painting!
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