Economic Growth & Cultural Vitality: Santa Monica’s Art Bank expands through continued partnership with Frieze Los Angeles
February 28, 2025 12:03 PM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2025) — The city of Santa Monica acquired its newest addition to the municipal Art Bank collection during the Frieze Los Angeles art fair, which took place Feb. 20-23 at Santa Monica Airport.
The Art Bank selection jury chose Los Angeles artist Edgar Arceneaux’s “Skinning the Mirror (Winter 9), 2025.” The piece was selected from the Focus section of the fair, which features galleries founded within the last 12 years. The section was curated for the second time by Essence Harden, who will also curate the Hammer Museum’s acclaimed “Made in LA” exhibit in the fall.
The 2025 Art Bank selection jury included Santa Monica Arts Commissioner Michael J. Masucci, Frieze Director of Americas Christine Messineo and Del Vaz Projects Founding Director & Chief Curator Jay Ezra Nayssan. They made their selection from artworks by Southern California-based artists offered in the Focus section.
“As Santa Monica is recognized internationally for its support of the arts, this collaboration between Frieze Los Angeles, independent curators and members of the Santa Monica Arts Commission further builds the importance of working together to support new artistic voices.” Santa Monica Arts Commissioner Michael J. Mascucci said. “I’m so proud to have played a small part in such a significant cultural endeavor.”
This year was the third consecutive year that Frieze Los Angeles has called Santa Monica home.
“Santa Monica prides itself on celebrating art and creativity, and I am immensely proud to add another artwork to the municipal collection by a wonderful regional artist,” Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete said. “The city’s partnership with Frieze Los Angeles allows Santa Monica to continue to create opportunities for artists while emphasizing the vital role art and creativity have on supporting our economic growth.”
The partnership began in 2023 with the city welcoming Frieze Los Angeles to its new location at the Santa Monica Airport and saw the acquisition of “Bajio,” by Wilmington-based artist Edgar Ramirez, now installed in City Hall Council Chambers. The city then acquired “In Memoriam of an Ashanti Warrior,” by Frieze Impact Prize winner Gary Tyler during Frieze 2024. Tyler's artwork is on view in City Hall.
View the full city of Santa Monica Art Bank collection at publicartarchive.org/search/collections/Santa-Monica-Art-Bank.
More about Frieze Los Angeles in Santa Monica at frieze.com/fairs/frieze-los-angeles.
Media Contact
Tati Simonian
Public Information Officer
Tati.Simonian@santamonica.gov
