Long Beach, California, USA
Increasing student safety with traffic calming art
The Project
In the diverse Washington neighborhood in Long Beach, the four-way intersection at 15th Street and Chestnut Avenue was in urgent need of improvement. The intersection is directly in front of the Long Beach Day Nursery school, and it is frequently traveled by students to the nearby Washington Middle School and Seaside Park. In addition to multiple incidents of residents being hit by cars at or near the intersection, data showed that most drivers (85%) went over the posted speed limit of 25 mph, most notably on a downhill slope approaching the intersection. Less than half of drivers came to a complete stop (29% when a pedestrian isn’t present; 40% when a pedestrian is present). Illegal parking was also infringing on pedestrian crossing space.
The project, called Community Corners, commissioned four artists to design murals in curb extensions at each corner of the intersection. Each mural expands pedestrian space, substantially reduces crossing distance for pedestrians, and alerts drivers of the four-way stop by providing a colorful visual signal. By visually and physically narrowing the roadway, the project improves the overall safety of Long Beach’s most vulnerable road users.
Check Out This Asphalt Art Installation in Long Beach, CA
“When you know that people put their best creative efforts out there for you, you know that you matter, you belong.”
Teri Erby, Community Navigator, Arts Council Long Beach
Use the slider to see the transformation
Best Practice Highlight: Artist Selection Process
After engaging with the Washington community about what they wanted to see at the intersection, Arts Council Long Beach (ArtsLB) developed a robust artist selection process that incorporated community feedback every step of the way. An open call for artists was issued in both English and Spanish, asking for artwork samples and a description of their proposed design. Ten finalists were selected by ArtsLB, based on the quality of their work, past projects, and demonstrated commitment to the greater Long Beach arts community and in particular the Washington neighborhood. Each artist was paid $250 to develop their designs with input from Washington neighborhood residents. Four of the designs were chosen by public vote, and the artists were paid $5,000 for their work designing and painting the artworks alongside community volunteers.
Press
Arts Council for Long Beach Selects Four Local Artists for Community Corners Project (SoCal City Kids, May 18, 2023)
One of Long Beach’s most dangerous intersections to increase safety with four murals (Longbeachize, May 4, 2023)
Community Corners will give the Washington neighborhood a safety-led makeover (Long Beach Signal Tribune, February 28, 2023)
Artists can vie for $5K to paint mural at Long Beach intersection. This is how (Long Beach Press-Telegram, February 10, 2023)
For inspiration and tips for the creation of art on roadways and public places, download the Bloomberg Associates Asphalt Art Guide which features successful plaza and roadway art activations around the world, as well as key steps for developing such projects.
