Artists Begin Work On Malibu’s Utility Art Box Project

MALIBU, CA — The City of Malibu Cultural Arts Commission selected three artists to paint one-of-a-kind artwork on four City-owned utility boxes in the Civic Center area as part of the City’s public art initiative.

The artists will begin their work in late September and are expected to complete the project by November 2019, the City of Malibu announced Tuesday.

"Malibu has always been a haven for artists and artistic activity, so this new public art project is a perfect fit for our community," said Mayor Jefferson Wagner. "I look forward to seeing all of these colorful public art pieces made by locals that will brighten up our town."

Three artists will use their creativity to transform a mundane structure into a work of art, and the painted utility boxes will broaden each viewer's understanding of Malibu's culture and environment, the press release said. The selected designs vary in style, from modern, geometric art to bright collage pop-art to realistic ocean scenery.

The professional artists who were selected to complete the project, along with the locations of the utility boxes, are:

• Shannon Celia, Civic Center Way and Winter Canyon Road: Celia will create a box that represents Malibu’s surf life and scenic landscape. Her artwork will include surfboards, seagulls, waves and the coast.
• Mark Andrew Allen, Civic Center Way and Webb Way, as well as Civic Center Way and Malibu Canyon Road: Allen will paint two boxes in the Civic Center area which will include replications of iconic Malibu images such as the Malibu Pier, Highway 1 sign, surfboards and other images in a bright, pop-art collage style.
• Flavia Monteiro, Civic Center Way and Cross Creek Road: Monteiro will paint pastel geometric, three-dimensional squares that will offer a pop of contemporary art by the newly opened Whole Foods Market.

Additional information and photos of the artists’ progress will be posted on the Malibu Arts and Culture website beginning in late September.