Anticipation is building among residents of Santa Monica as the city prepares for an open house and community mixer on Thursday, November 9, centered on the Reframe, City Hall Mural initiative. The event will reflect on series of meetings, activities, and conversations designed to inform the future of the Stanton Macdonald-Wright mural in the historic City Hall lobby, according to The City of Santa Monica official website.
The City Hall Mural initiative, guided by Meztli Projects, had been on a thorough study of the mural's history, context, and future potential. The project included a diversity of community voices, such as local First Peoples, Marquez family descendants, students, educators, conservationists, Santa Monica Arts and Landmarks Commissions, city employees and Santa Monica residents. This inclusive approach underlines the growing emphasis on community-driven decision-making in public art projects.
Over the project's duration, community members engaged in activities including walking tours, listening sessions, and film screenings to provide feedback on civic representation in public art. While specific recommendations inspired by these discussions are to yet be revealed, a summary report from Meztli Projects detailing their findings will be publicly available at the open house, with further deliberations scheduled for City Council in early 2024.
Guiding the process was Meztli Projects, an arts and culture organization made up of artists, researchers, organizers, and advocates who focus on Indigeneity in their work and approach towards community engagement. Their involvement signals the need of an impartial and diverse team in leading the process. Their methodologies aim to uplift Native and Indigenous artists and people impacted by historical challenges, bringing to light insights that may have been previously disregarded.
The upcoming open house provides a platform for people to gather and discuss the mural. Through considering a spectrum of perspectives, the much-awaited recommendations from Meztli Projects will crucially influence the City Council's decision about the future direction of the mural, thereby continuing to shape public perception of civic representation in public art.
