The Downtown Long Beach Alliance is launching a community mural series to showcase the unique identity of several neighborhoods in downtown Long Beach.
Artist submissions for the DTLB Neighborhood Map Mural Project are open to the public, with the first mural to grace the exterior wall of the Planet Fitness at Fourth Street and Pine Avenue in North Pine. This project is helmed by the DTLB Alliance Placemaking Committee and Placemaking team and will look to give vivid insight into each neighborhood’s landmarks, personality and pride.
This $9,000 pilot project is one of several ongoing revitalization efforts ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games, and is intended to connect the downtown communities. The North Pine mural is the first of seven planned art installations. The East Village and Willmore City, among the other neighborhoods, will receive a visual guide.
“This mural isn’t just about paint on a wall—it’s about putting our neighborhoods on the map, literally and figuratively,” said Stephanie Gonzalez, Placemaking Manager for the DTLB Alliance, in a public statement. “By celebrating the unique spirit of each part of Downtown, we’re making it easier for people to see themselves here, explore more, and feel proud of the place they call home.”
The following is the project vision for artists to follow for their submissions:
- Celebrate and Focus on the Host District – Capture the icons, cultures and everyday stories that give North Pine its unique pulse.
- Subtly Reference the Whole of Downtown – Use subtle visual cues—mini-illustrations, directional motifs, color bands or map insets—to acknowledge surrounding districts and invite exploration.
- Set the Tone for Future Murals – These inaugural pieces should establish a flexible visual language that later mural commissions in other neighborhoods can riff on, creating a cohesive but district-specific series.
- Function as Way-Finding – Incorporate a simplified “You Are Here” map element that orients pedestrians and encourages on-foot discovery.
Applicants can submit their concepts through July 7, and the mural is set to be completed by Friday, Aug. 29. A collective of local artists, Placemaking Committee representatives and neighborhood stakeholders will decide on the chosen design.
“This kind of neighborhood-focused placemaking helps define the identity of Downtown in a way that’s authentic, welcoming, and people-centered,” said Austin Metoyer, President & CEO of the DTLB Alliance, in a public statement. “The Placemaking Committee’s vision aligns with our overall mission to support creative, community-driven projects that make Downtown feel more connected.”
More information about the Neighborhood Map Mural Project can be found through the DTLB Alliance’s Request for Artists (RFA). Submissions, as well as any questions, should be emailed to stephanieg@dtlb.org, using the information specified in the RFA.
