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Art installations in Downtown Santa Monica and the Pier celebrate a month of Pride

Published on June 4, 2021

The Santa Monica Pier Bridge will be painted at the start of June in bright colors and 1970’s motifs

Experience Miles of Art throughout Downtown Santa Monica and the Pier this June that celebrates SaMo PRIDE – a month-long celebration supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The art installations highlight the City’s inclusive and diverse spirit, with a focus on family-friendly displays and activities.

The Santa Monica Pier’s participation in this year’s SaMo PRIDE celebration include two murals on the Pier bridge (one on the driveway, the other on the south facing side of the K-rail) plus 4-foot tall letters spelling out “LGBTQIA+” in the Central Plaza area by Pier Burger.

The “Very Gay Murals” are being painted by artists Very Gay Paint. Very Gay Paint is a duo comprised of LA-based comedians Nicholas Sheppard and Jenson Titus.  The pair create signature custom murals of mainly geometric, retro and landscape designs with flowing lines and muted color palettes.

The tall LGBTQIA+ sculpture letters called “Celebrate” are built by LA design team Bagavagabonds and with design and artwork by Grey… and Grayson Prnce, “Celebrate” encapsulates the Pier’s promise: to keep this iconic landmark a welcoming place for all to celebrate.

Celebrate PRIDE in Santa Monica

Rainbow Road Art Walk

The Rainbow Road Art Walk can be seen on display June 4-30th. Spanning Third Street Promenade, through Santa Monica Place, and leading through the Santa Monica Pier, enjoy 13 incredible one-of-a-kind art installations by LGBTQIA+ artists. The art walk is presented in partnership with Allies in Arts, a local nonprofit whose mission is to support womxn, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists who are often underrepresented in creative industries. See map of the art walk here.

PRIDE at the Beach

Red Hen Press and the Annenberg Community Beach House present Pride at the Beach, a conversation with 5 LGBTQ+ writers who will share their work and discuss the future of PRIDE in a post-pandemic world. Pride at the Beach takes place on Tuesday, June 15th from 4-5PM and will also be livestreamed. Find out more info here.

Queer Prom

Queer Prom is back in a COVID-19 safe format, sponsored by the Samohi Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Church in Ocean Park, and City of Santa Monica. The prom takes place on Friday, June 25th from 7-10PM. The theme for this year’s Queer Prom is Enchanted Forest Masquerade Ball. It’s free to attend (donations encouraged) but you can register ahead of time and read all the COVID-19 protocols here.

SaMo PRIDE is a collaboration between the Santa Monica Pier, Downtown Santa Monica, Santa Monica Place, the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica Travel and Tourism.

Feature image is from Santa Monica Place.