Artists sought for Long Beach’s COVID-19 memorial – Press Telegram

More than 1 million people across the United States have died from coronavirus-related causes since the pandemic broke out in 2020 — with 1,338 of those being Long Beach residents.

To honor and memorialize the Long Beach residents who have died from the virus, the city is now working on an art installation — and is seeking artists to help make that vision a reality.

“Our COVID-19 memorial will forever serve as a symbol of strength and healing for our community,” Mayor Robert Garcia said in a recent news release. “As someone who lost loved ones due to COVID, I am grateful there will always be a place in Long Beach to remember and honor them.”

Individual artists, and teams of artists, can submit their proposals for Long Beach’s COVID-19 memorial on the city’s website though Tuesday, Dec. 6. The top three finalists will receive $2,500 for their work, according to last week’s release, but only one will be brought before the City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 13, for final approval.

The panel of judges on Long Beach’s COVID-19 Memorial Advisory Committee — which consists of arts professionals, representatives from community-based organizations, personnel from local health care institutions and city staff — will judge the proposals based off cultural sensitivity, experience, approach, cost, and overall understanding of the opportunity, according to the news release.

The COVID-19 memorial will go either in the Civic Center Plaza or at the Rainbow Harbor Lighthouse, the Friday, Nov. 18, release said, though a final location has not been formalized yet. The city will lay out a completion timeline with the artist once the council officially selects one.