Main Street programs spruce up utility boxes
The three Main Street programs in Encinitas have partnered to provide nine pieces of public art along the coast in Encinitas.
The Leucadia 101 Main Street, the Cardiff 101 Main Street and the Encinitas 101 Main Street organizations have selected artists to paint SDG&E electrical boxes as part of their commitment to enhancing the coastal corridor through public art. This beautification project will be completed with generous grant funds from the city of Encinitas and Mizel Family Foundation Community Grant Program.
This project, titled “The Utility of Art,” is aimed at enhancing the coastal corridor by creating a public art gallery to visually represent the culture of Leucadia, Cardiff and downtown Encinitas. The three Main Street programs will continue to paint utility boxes in their program area until all are complete.
Painting will start the first and second week in November. The selected artists are: Chris Kepler, Cardiff (www.chriskeplerart.com); Daniel Hernandez, Cardiff) www.makestuffsd.com); Karin Grow, Cardiff; Michael “Monstrinho” Amorillo, Leucadia) (www.monstrinho.com); Seitaku “TAK” Aoyama, Leucadia (https://www.taksanart.com), Steve Burrows, Leucadia (https://www.burritoart.com); Jim McConlogue, Leucadia (www.jimmcconlogue.com); Donna Schichler, downtown Encinitas (www.cargocollective.com/donnarebecca); and Jessica Brown, downtown Encinitas (www.jwbrownarts.com).
Over the past year, the Encinitas 101 Main Street facilitated the painting of five utility boxes in downtown Encinitas, and the Leucadia 101 Main Street kicked off its Utility of Art Program with a live demonstration by artist Michael “Monstrinho” Amorillo at Basil and Highway 101 during the 10th Annual LeucadiART Walk. In downtown Encinitas, four of the previously painted boxes are on the north side of D Street by the NCTD station and the fifth is in front of Solace & the Moonlight Lounge on E Street. Please take a look at these beautiful pieces and be on the lookout for more on the way.
The Utility of Art Project was made possible with the support of SDG&E (Sempra Utilities) and generous supply donations from Rhino Art Supply and Crown Ace Hardware.
“Our Mainstreet organizations are key partners to SDG&E in the community, helping to distribute information on programs to save energy and money for customers,” said Frank Urtasun, Regional Vice President of External Relations for SDG&E.
“We were also pleased to work together recently to approve the painting of certain utility boxes to foster increased arts and culture that fits well along the culturally vibrant 101 corridor. We salute our Mainstreet partners in Cardiff, Leucadia and Downtown Encinitas for keeping our streets looking great!”
For information on the project and a painting schedule, contact the three main street programs: www.cardiff101.com; www.encinitas101.com; www.leucadia101.com.