This is a really fun, community-wide event. Get involved!
The Sunset & Vine Business Improvement District (BID) is a non-profit organization made up of property owners surrounding the Sunset & Vine intersection. Hollywood has long been recognized as a hotbed of talent and creativity, and with the
Hollywood Palladium,
Arclight Cinema, and myriad other entertainment venues, the famed intersection has them in spades. And now the BID has teamed up with
Helen Bernstein High Schoolto showcase some homegrown talent right here in our neighborhood! Rather than hire a graphic designer to create new pole banners for the District, students enrolled in the school's art department have a shot at it as part of a class assignment and contest.
Art instructor Justice O'Neil broke down the contest assignment into smaller lessons on lettering, coloring, and design before the large, final works were created. Over 60 students collaborated to create 35 unique designs as part of the contest.
"It is so valuable for students to have the opportunity to work with the business community so they can experience, practice and learn what goes on in the real world," O'Neil said. "As educators, we talk to our students about the 'real world' all the time, but there is nothing like personal experience to bring that lesson home."
YOU can help foster these ideas within the art students of Helen Bernstein High School. Visit the BID's Facebook page at
facebook.com/HollywoodHQ and vote on YOUR favorite design. Of the 35 entries, two designs will be chosen by the Central Hollywood Coalition, and two designs will be chosen by YOU! The four designs will then be used to create 150 street pole banners to be displayed around the district.
The students' original works will also be exhibited at the upcoming Sunset & Dine event, currently scheduled for June 7, 2012. This event will not only celebrate the renewal of the Sunset & Vine district, but will also showcase the local food and entertainment options within the neighborhood.
"We have been so grateful to work with the students at Helen Bernstein High School, one of the premiere LAUSD schools, located in a brand new building at the gateway to the District," Sarah MacPherson, executive director of the Sunset & Vine District, said. "We see this as one of the first of many partnerships between the business community and the future leaders in Hollywood."
Vote NOW for your favorite designs, and give a huge sense of accomplishment to the students of Helen Bernstein High School! Who knows, some of them may go on to become the next wave of successful Hollywood artists!
Public voting for this contest will last thru April 30, and final winners will be announced May 2, 2012. Good luck to all the participants!