New 4th Street Mural Focuses on Collective Action for Our Future
November 15, 2021 9:40 AM
by Amanda Grossman
The City of Santa Monica is committed to sustainability. We use the power of community to enhance our resources, prevent harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community for the sake of current and future generations.
Santa Monica is home to many beautiful murals that bring art and activism to blank walls around the community. The City of Santa Monica is proud to introduce the latest addition to the City’s mural gallery. The “Our Actions Today, Our Future Tomorrow” mural depicts Santa Monica’s natural beauty and iconic imagery while highlighting a series of choices residents, visitors, and employees in Santa Monica can make to attain a more sustainable Santa Monica where both the natural environment and people are thriving.
"We are thrilled to bring art and activism together to amplify the City's ongoing efforts to use the power of community to enhance our resources, prevent harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community for the sake of current and future generations. We hope that the actions depicted in the mural inspire our community to integrate sustainable practices into their daily life." Shannon Parry, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Santa Monica.
The highly visible mural on the corner of 4th and Pico stretches 50 feet wide along Santa Monica High School’s wall and immediately across from the new Historic Belmar Park. The mural is a reminder to protect our home for current and future generations by planting trees, driving electric, buying local, picking up litter, installing solar, biking, taking transit, prioritizing reusables, voting and participating in community activism. The mural was completed by artist Janice Chang at the end of October and was a collaborative effort between the City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, and Upworthy.
“SMMUSD continues to weave sustainability into the fabric of District operations and education programs. We understand that increasing the environmental literacy of our students provides the tools necessary to ensure a healthier and brighter future for our schools, communities, and planet. We are thrilled to incorporate this new mural into our school and are even more thrilled with what it represents for our community.” Austin Toyama, Sustainability Manager at Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District.
To learn more about how you can do your part for both our future and present, visit santamonica.gov/sustainablesamo.
Authored By
Amanda Grossman
Sustainability Analyst