Calling all local artists! On Aug. 9, the City of Malibu released a Request for Proposals (RFP) looking for an artist who can creatively transform four storm drain catch basins with local, original art. The piece will also be educational with hopes to expand residents’ understanding of the connection between gutters, storm drains and the ocean environment.Â
“Malibu’s beautiful ocean environment has always inspired artists, so it’s exciting to have public art that speaks to our strong environmental commitment,” Mayor Rick Mullen said in the press release. “I look forward to seeing the ideas that will be presented and encourage all artists in the community to apply.”
This idea of artistically transforming the storm drains is not new. In 2014, the City of Malibu hired an artist to paint the four drains as part of the “Keep it Clean, Malibu” campaign to safeguard the 24-mile-long Area of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) in Malibu. However, this work has since been tarnished due to the sun and vehicle traffic.
The original work was meant to “encourage environmental stewardship and a sense of connection to the ocean.” The city’s environmental public arts campaign hopes to recreate this project with a new artist who can offer his or her original content with the same educational focus.Â
The storm drains serve to prevent polluted runoff from reaching the ASBS, which stretches across about half of the Malibu coastline to protect fragile marine habitats. They are located on Cross Creek Road, in front of Point Dume Plaza on Heathercliff Road, at the corner of Morning View Drive and Pacific Coast Highway, and at Trancas Park.
Any work and materials must comply with the city’s environmental guidelines and the work must be durable in outdoor conditions. Applications must be turned in by Sept. 13 at 4 p.m. More information can be found at https://malibucity.org/bids.aspx?bidID=101.