Sing for Hope, the New York-based nonprofit that is partnering with the City of Beverly Hills and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, announced the names of local artists who have been selected to paint 16 pianos that will be placed throughout the city.
Starting Aug. 5, painted pianos will be placed in iconic locations throughout the city for anyone to play or admire. While all the artists have been determined, the city is still finalizing a list of locations for the pianos, Community Services Communications and Marketing Coordinator Dana Beesen told the Courier.
After Sep. 6, the pianos will move from Beverly Hills to permanent homes in underserved public schools, hospitals, and community organizations across greater Los Angeles.
In May, Sing for Hope, the Wallis, and the City put out an open call for local artists to submit proposals on the Sing for Hope website. Artists were selected in June by a volunteer panel of California-based art professionals and community leaders.
The selected artists are: Adam Rodgers, Alexandra Nechita,Benow, Chaz Guest, Çi?dem Akbay, Gooey, Helena Faitelson, Laishan Mui Ito, Laurie Tsou, Marisabel Bazan, The Miracle Project with GRoW @ The Wallis (a performing arts program for young people across the autism spectrum), Mireille Fournier, Ms. Yellow, Punk Me Tender, Sheila Darcey and Yalda Sepahpour.
The 16 pianos will be revealed in an official Aug. 5 unveiling at The Wallis that will include a public performance.
After a month of impromptu concerts all around town, the painted pianos will be distributed to participating institutions, such as Jordan High School in Watts, Vanalden Early Education Center in Tarzana, Montebello Gardens Elementary School in Pico Rivera, Dorris Place Elementary School in Elysian Park, View Park Preparatory High School in Hyde Park, and George Washington Carver Middle School in South Park. More participating schools and organizations will be announced soon. Some of these schools are already partnered with the Wallis on various projects, according to the Beverly Hills Community Services Department.
Sing For Hope, which has placed over 500 artist-designed pianos on the streets of cities across the world, has also donated many of those pianos to underserved schools and community organizations after their popup installation.
“The arts play a key role in uplifting and inspiring people of all ages,” Camille Zamora, Sing For Hope co-founder, said in a statement. “As our cities seek to ‘build back better’ in the months ahead, human-centered solutions like the Sing for Hope Pianos reinvigorate our public spaces and remind us of our shared humanity. We’re honored to partner with The Wallis, the City of Beverly Hills, and the amazing LA-area artist community to bring joy to the streets this summer.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome these wonderful works of art to our public spaces for all to enjoy,” Beverly Hills Mayor Bob Wunderlich said in a statement. “Sing for Hope Pianos innovatively brings together culture and community, two of the hallmarks of our city. We invite all to enjoy these creative works while celebrating incredible artistic talent in a world-class environment. We are delighted that these one-of-a-kind piano artworks will continue to be an artistic resource and source of joy when they are moved to schools and other community-based permanent homes following their public display.”
