The MBEF Donor Recognition
Project:
Acknowledging The Community Behind Our Public Schools
Decades of Support
Our strong public schools are a critical element of the fabric of our community and an integral part of what we love about Manhattan Beach. They help protect property values and strengthen our connections within the community.
For decades, we have come together to support our schools through MBEF and the MBEF Endowment. The MBEF Donor Recognition Project captures the importance of our schools and celebrates the community that supports them – yesterday, today and tomorrow.
The Project
The purpose of the installation is not only to celebrate the support of our schools through MBEF and the Endowment, but also to invite viewers to witness the splendor and significance of education in our lives.
After reviewing several artists recommended by the Parks and Recreation Department, MBEF secured Betsy Schulz, an established artist from San Diego who is well versed in education initiatives, coastal communities, and donor recognition, to design the project.
Betsy K. Schulz, Artist
Progressed into creating larger murals
and sculptures for libraries, parks,
community and corporate centers. Many
including donor representation and
community involvement.
All work is site specific and contains
materials that will last for decades in an
outdoor environment.
Graduated from Carnegie Mellon
University of Fine Arts
Owned a Graphic Design Studio for
15 years
Created public art for over 22 years
focusing on education, nature and
history
Started public art career creating
outdoor environments and gardens
for multiple schools.
The MBEF Donor Project
Six Main Elements
1. Seed-shaped stone donor tiles with and without engraved names
2. High-relief sculptural and image ceramics
3. 2-part epoxy painted metal frames
4. The painted wall itself
5. Succulents in the planter
6. New art light to illuminate the length of the mural
Vision Behind the Project
The mural depicts a child in Manhattan Beach discovering the world through observation. Aided by education, she imagines the layers of earth beneath her, the environment around her, and the future represented in the stars.
Meanwhile, donor recognition weaves between the framed artworks. The final piece invites the viewer to look more closely and discover the apparent and hidden elements of education, ultimately allowing the creation of their own personal story around what education represents.
The Art
The Recognition
1. MBEF and MBEF Endowment Donors
▪ $100K+ = 57 donors
▪ $250K+ = 9 donors
▪ $500K+ = 3 donors
▪ $1M+ = 3 donors
2. MBEF Board Presidents, Endowment Presidents and Executive Directors
3. City of Manhattan Beach
4. Manhattan Beach Unified School District
5. Manhattan Beach School PTAs
6. Manhattan Country Club/Bay Club
The Design
Stone Donor Tiles
The Timeline
Winter 2020 – City Council Approval of Project and Metlox Location Fall 2021 – Initial Design and Proposal
Winter 2022 – Approval and Fabrication
Spring 2022 – Publicize Project and Finalize Recognition with Donors Summer 2022 – Creation of Artistic Elements and Community Workshop Fall 2022 – Installation and Ribbon Cutting
The Request for Partnership
In order to ensure the completion of this project, MBEF and the MBEF Endowment are each supporting the project with significant funding. The overall cost of the project is projected to be $114,334.
It is our hope that the City of Manhattan Beach will consider the community fellowship and artistic benefit of the project to the City residents and join in the support with the donation of $30K, the permitting fees, and the regular maintenance of the project.