Long beach and the Vibe City - Michael Morales

 


 

 

 Civic Engagement Project 

Long Beach

Michael Morales  

Art-3170 Professor Aziz 

 

Phase 1: The Site ( Long Beach, California) 

    I currently live in Long Beach and the neighborhood that I'm apart of has a ton of street art all over. Long Beach has it's own identity as a city and that identity is explored through this project as the different art pieces represents that unique expression. I see most of these pieces daily, apart of my weekly commute to and from school and work.  The beauty of the city is that it's home for so many different types of people, due to that background the city itself can be many different things at once. 

The City recently approved a new marketing campaign dubbing the city as "Vibe City". This approval came at the same time that the city had announced that their was a 1.5 million dollar short fall in the budget. Funding to Library services, closing of a firehouse and eliminating 260 city jobs has residences and myself wondering "Is this the Vibe of the city now? Where we spend money to hide the real issues that face this city?". 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phase 2:  Field Work 



The LGBTQ Center-  4th street "Retro Row

2017 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814, USA

The Center is a prominent fixture of the forth street 

community and the Queer community here in Long Beach.

 

 

 

 

 


 Red Dog on the street facing side of this building. 
Salud Juice Coffee Shop
1944 E 4th St #5, Long Beach, CA 90802

 

 

 

Long Beach Smokers 
1162 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802
A blend the calls upon the culture of the past. It blends the modern brands and culture which is what makes this piece unique. 

 

  



 






Long Beach Community Center 
1150 E 4th St, Long Beach Ca 90802 
"Melody of Life" by Tracy Tres Fukuhara
A piece that captures the history and spirit of this city. 
https://lbpl.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p17164coll3/id/357 
 
 

 "Partners in Crime" 
This was a collaborative project between 15 different artists from the FA4 Collective. 
The Stache Bar 
941 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802 
https://lbpost.com/esd/hi-lo/art/partners-in-crime/ source 



4th street tire and auto
901 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802 
"Grand Prix"
Long Beach has an annual grand Prix Formula one race. 
 
 
 
 
 

 "Dodg'em Go Where You like... If You Can" by Leon Keer
 "“I wanted to revive some of that history by painting a 3D mural of a garage with an old bumper car from the early days. Dodg’em was the famous bumper car ride in the Pike. I was overwhelmed by all the memories from many spectators.” - Leon Keer
 
 
 
 
https://artslb.org/public-art/dodgem-go-where-you-like-if-you-can/ 




"Chase Dreams like Bubbles" 
by Brian Peterson
The tallest mural in Long beach standing at over 85 Feet tall, roughly 12 stories tall. 
 
 
 
 
"Recreation in Long Beach" 1938
Multiple Artist 
Not only is this piece a historic piece of Long Beach and the Rainbow harbor amphitheater. It is also an feat of artists collaboration and Awe. It's a connection to the cities past while being in the heart of Down Town Long Beach. 
 
 
 
 
"Long Beach Vibe City"
The City of Long Beach 2026
An expensive rebranding of the city.
Vibe City has many of the residence confused on what the vibe is of this city. Is a Vibe when the city cuts funding to programs to the libraries, votes to close two elementary school, or increases the police budget and parking fines. There is a real disconnect in how those who were elected to office choice to spend the cities money and priorities. 

 
 
 
 
 
Phase 3 : Critical Analysis 
 
 
 
My critical analysis is the city has a rich selection of artist and creatives that give the authentic feeling that makes the city so unique. Depending on what part of the city you're in determines the styles and pieces you will see. The key phrase is "depends on what part of the city" rings very true when it comes to the street art you'll see. Downtown Long Beach has some of the biggest and most known murals and pieces. But, Downtown is also one of the most expensive parts of the city to live in and the city continues to approve the construction of more luxury apartment complex, fueling this problem. In addition, 4th street or retro row is another part of the city where you'll find cool and unique pieces but those who live in this popular neighborhood are not reflective of those who are from here. As a result, the city's priority in "Vibe City" speaks to this growing divide.  
 
 
 
 
Phase 4: 
 
My suggestion for the city would to take steps into ensuring affordability across all neighborhoods in the city. Allowing those from lower economic classes to have equal access to not only street art, but what comes with higher income area. Long Beach could adopt housing policies that make it easier to apply for housing assistance, ensuring 30% of units are available for section 8, or even building public housing units. Along with the housing policy, I would strongly suggest that the city invest in all parts of the city when it comes to public art projects. I believe if the city invested more in social safety nets and programs that directly addresses income inequalities, we can ensure that access to public art won't be gated by income.











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