Manhattan Beach is taking a significant step in honoring the legacy of Bruce's Beach with a public art commission, and they want your thoughts on the matter. The city's Parks and Recreation Department has launched a survey, allowing the community to weigh in on six competing artwork proposals for the park. These proposals aim to pay tribute to the history of Bruce's Beach as a Black-owned resort that was a sanctuary of leisure and freedom during a time when such places were scarce for Black Americans.
The six artists vying for the final selection were revealed in an announcement by the city – April Banks, Austen Brantley, Hana Ward, Nekisha Durrett, Toni Scott, and Xaviera Simmons. Each artist brings a unique perspective and aesthetic to their proposed sculptures, which all seek to celebrate the spirit of community, healing, and racial justice. The proposals are on display online, allowing for public feedback through a survey linked by the city.
The public art will serve not only as a historical marker but also as a space for education and community connection, a sentiment echoed in April Banks' proposal, "Building Paradise." "Building Paradise offers a space for community connection, healing, and pride," Banks states, describing a structure that brings together the past and present through diverse materials and imagery that reflect the legacy of Black craftsmanship and domestic life at Bruce's Beach.
An evocative piece by Austen Brantley references the broader Black American experience. Brantley's sculpture inquires into the nature of being a Black family in America, with "a quiet message of strength, endurance, and grace" emanating from the figures. Similar themes of reflection and resilience echo throughout the other proposals, such as Hana Ward's bronzes meant to represent introspection and communion with nature, drawing on personal and historical connections to the site. Meanwhile, Nekisha Durrett's design, according to a statement obtained by the city, speaks to gathering as an act of defiance, signifying "a continuation of ancestral survival strategies."
Toni Scott's proposal, "Unity: Circle of Memory," envisions a space where visitors can reflect and embrace a unified history, symbolizing "the unbroken spirit of families whose presence once filled this shoreline." Xaviera Simmons rounds out the list with a sculpture that projects hope and harmony through the depiction of a contemporary family enjoying the natural offerings of the landscape. These proposals suggest a forward-thinking approach, recognizing the need to encompass the forgotten narratives of the original Black families of Bruce's Beach in today's community.
The Parks and Recreation Department emphasizes that public input plays a crucial role in the decision-making process. Residents and friends are encouraged to participate in selecting the artwork that best embodies the values and spirit of Manhattan Beach. Interested parties can access the survey and review the artists' proposals here, creating a participatory approach to this important homage to history. The deadline for survey submissions is fast approaching, so those interested are urged to make their voices heard.
