Artist: Thomas Barter and Terry Braunstein
Location: South block of First Street, between Linden and Elm Avenue in the East Village Arts District
District: District 2
Description: Thomas Barter and Terry Braunstein have enhanced the facades of the buildings on First Street between Linden and Elm Avenue to reflect the colorful Art Deco history of the East Village Arts District in downtown Long Beach. Braunstein designed each vignette, which Barter, an East Village ceramist, rendered in hand-made tile. These colorful artworks also provide architectural detailing while framing the existing murals and bordering store doorways. Some of the geometric aspects of designs create a three-dimensional effect and provide depth for the storefronts as well as for First Street. The large tile mural of a three story Art Deco building on a corner mirrors the small town atmosphere of downtown combined with the high risers, important to the city's commerce.
Funding: Provided by a community development Block Grant, a federal program of the Unites States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and local redevelopment tax increment funds. Braunstein was commissioned for design services, and Barter was contracted to perform design, fabrication and installation serviced through the project's general contractors.
Completion Date: 2000
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