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Inglewood/Aiport Area Chamber of Commerce eNewsletter
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May 2007 Issue
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 Inglewood Prepares to Unveil Rare, Historic Mosaic Mural
That Was Destined for Trash Rather Than Restoration
Inglewood has managed to save and restore an historic work of art that was so completely obliterated by graffiti that it was an eyesore waiting to be removed. The ethnically mixed city near the Los Angeles International Airport is known locally as a city where people care about art. Like many Southern California communities, Inglewood was economically depressed for several years, attracting artists looking for inexpensive studio space. An artistic sensibility seems to have enveloped the entire city, which now asks developers to put aside one percent of a project’s construction costs for public art. Moreover, Inglewood is host to numerous new developments as it continues a renaissance begun several years ago. As the city prepares to celebrate its centennial year next year, it is experiencing a re-growth and regeneration that is source of a wellspring of community pride. Part of the city’s renaissance has been spurred by a group of citizens, who lived near the dilapidated art and approached the city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services for assistance in saving “The History of Transportation mural.” It was, they noted, not only a rare work or art, but also an important part of the city’s history. Nearly all of the murals created during the depression-era have disappeared. The Inglewood mural is an exception thanks to the Historic Site Preservation Committee and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. Now, nearly four years into the project, panel restoration is complete, the wooden infrastructure has been constructed in a newly created park across from City Hall and the city is preparing to unveil the world’s largest petrachrome mosaic mural. The 60-panel petrachrome mural is a colorful mosaic stone collage portraying the history of transportation beginning with Native Americans walking and ending with airplane travel. Badly damaged by weather, smog, graffiti and auto collisions, the artwork was in an advanced state of deterioration after 70 years. Two panels needing to be totally reconstructed. Restoration began in 2001 with the enclosing of mural panels in plywood crates to protect them from further damage. By July of 2003, after most of the funding for the project had been secured, the panels were removed from the wall and the Sculpture Conservation Studio began restoration, four panels at a time. Unlike most city redevelopment projects, which are traditionally funded by taxpayer dollars, this project was funded almost entirely by grant money. The J. Paul Getty Grant Program “Preserve L.A.” initiative awarded the city of Inglewood a $50,000 planning grant for the restoration and re-sitting of the mural. The project also received restoration grants through the state’s Park Bond Act of 2000 from the California Heritage Fund, Urban Recreational and Cultural Center Program, the California Cutural and Historical Endowment, and private donations. A total of more than one million dollars was raised for restoration and relocation. “The History of Transportation,” one of the nation’s few remaining petrachrome murals, is an historic treasure valued at more than one million dollars. The 240-foot long mosaic mural was originally created and constructed in 1939 by California artist Helen Lundeberg. Commissioned by President Roosevelt’s Works Project Administration (WPA), the mural was created during the depression in a workforce development effort for out of work artists. Lundeberg was one of only three women commissioned by the WPA to create murals. The mural, which was originally located in Vincent Edward Jr. Park, is being installed in Grevillea Art Park in downtown Inglewood – directly across the street from Inglewood High School and City Hall. The Historic Site Preservation Committee, which has been overseeing the development and funding for this project, was formed in 2000. As they begin to plan the mural’s special rededication ceremony on August 11, they have already begun looking for their next project. Inglewood, California, is home to a growing number of individuals who are determined to restore the city’s fading architecture and art at the same time that the city’s economy is returning to health. |
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330 East Queen Street, Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 677-1121
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