Art Outside the Box | Take 3!

Known for its picturesque landscapes and infectious community spirit, the history of Coronado will soon be highlighted through the third iteratuon of the public art initiative – "Art Outside the Box." A project of the Cultural Arts Commission, it is set to come before the City Council this March for approval. Originally spearheaded by an effort of a few local citizens, this new public art project aims to rewrap utility boxes on Orange Avenue in Coronado, turning these once vibrant wrapped boxes into a community photobook.

Inspired by the success of the rst project completed in 2018, “Art Outside the Box” on Orange Avenue has met its life expectancy and the wraps are beginning to fade and crack. However, don’t lament as they were always meant to be temporary and with their expiration date nearly passed, the third phase of Art Outside the Box promises to infuse the city with creativity and foster community engagement. This new set of boxes will highlight Coronado’s unique history. The current art wraps will be removed this spring, with the new wraps targeted for installation in May 2024.

The seeds of Art Outside the Box were originally planted in Coronado back in 2015 when a few individuals envisioned a way to enhance the utility boxes aesthetic appeal. Their vision materialized into a collaborative effort that gained momentum and support from the community, local businesses, and city officials. The result? A unique project that transformed eight drab green Caltrans utility boxes into a temporary public art installation, blending creativity with functionality.

Proposed picture for 6th and Orange Avenue Caltrans Box: Boys seated at an outdoor picnic table in Spreckels Park. There are two men in suits slicing a large cake at the end of the picnic table. The reverse reads, "1939 / Charles Lonstreth cuts the cake / a marine engineer, yachtsmen, marine writer / lived at 611 A. Avenue (the Hakes House). / Clarence T. Anderson (leti) / Junior Traffic Patrol boys party Spreckels Park."

Traditionally overlooked or if noticed, an eyesore, utility boxes are ubiquitous elements in urban landscapes, serving essential functions but often detracting from the visual appeal of their surroundings. Initially the “Art Outside the Box” project recognized the potential of these boxes as blank canvases waiting to be adorned with vibrant artwork. In 2017 the Cultural Arts Commission enlisted the talents of local Middle School artists guided by local art instructor Kirsten Green who taught a class on Public Art. Collaboraing with the Coronado Unied School District the project aimed at turning these ordinary structures into extraordinary pieces of Public Art and in the process installed the value of public art in the next generation. The Popcorn Box on the corner nearest to the Village Theatre bearing the images of famous celebrities who visited or lived in Coronado or the Islander Tiki on the box as you head towards the school were just a few of the images created by student artists for that rst wrapped effort unveiled in 2018. One of the project's original core values was the celebration of local talent. Coronado is home to a thriving artistic community, and this project provided a platform for these young artists to showcase their skills as well as learn about Public Art. The original project wrapped eight boxes located along Orange Avenue from Third Avenue to Avenida de las Arenas. The utility boxes, located at corners near traffic signals, are controlled by Caltrans. Approval of this project must go through several reviews and approvals including the Coronado City Council.

A second phase of the project included the addition of six Caltrans boxes along the Silver Strand and was completed in 2019. That project took a different tack and used photography of nature, foliage and fauna prevalent along Coronado’s scenic Strand Highway. The photographs of late Coronado US Navy SEAL and Cays photographer Brian Lippe were used on several of the Strand boxes. Brian’s silhouette, courtesy of another Cays photographer, Daron Case, graces the box as you leave the Cays and is a sweet reminder of the value of a photo. This round the project was a collaboration between Caltrans, the Cultural Arts Commission’s Public Art Program, and the Silver Strand Beautification Committee. The project, part of the City Public Art Master plan adopted in 2013, brought together various organizations, volunteers, and artists, creating synergy within the community. The selected images, particularly the tribute to Brian Lippe, resonate with residents as they reflect on the unique character and natural surroundings of the Coronado Cays. The success of the project underscored the community's appreciation for public art, the natural beauty along the Strand Highway and the impact of collaboration.

Remembering Photographer Brian Lippe | City of Coronado Photo Daron Case admires his photo of friend and fellow photographer Brian Lippe being installed at the exit of the Coronado Cays.

“Art Outside the Box” is more than just a visual transformation; it's a catalyst for community engagement and civic pride. The project invites residents to participate actively in the beautification of their city, fostering a sense of ownership and connection. As the utility boxes undergo yet another artistic metamorphosis, they become tangible symbols of community spirit, reinforcing the idea that art can be a powerful force for positive change and temporary art can bring new life to a well‐traveled avenue.

Anticipation is building as Coronado prepares for the grand unveiling of “Art Outside the Box – Take 3!” The project is set to breathe new life into the fading boxes on Orange Avenue. In collaboration with the Coronado Historical Association (CHA) and the Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) student interns at CHA have researched and selected historic pictures inspired by the box locations. Graphic students from CoSA are magically creating wrap templates from the selected black and white images and adding a popofcolorto add interest to the black and white historic images. The photos are from CHA’s robust photography collection and the interns have researched each photo’s history. With a phone scan of a QR code located on the box, admirers will quickly land on a site featuring historical information about the photo and Coronado’s Public Art Program.

“Art Outside the Box” is a testament to Coronado's commitment to embracing the arts as a means of enriching public spaces and fostering community pride. As utility boxes across the city once again transform into captivating pieces of public art, residents and visitors alike are invited to explore the intersection of creativity, functionality, and our unique history. Coronado is not just a picturesque destination; it continues to be a canvas for the community's collective imaginayion, proving that art truly thrives outside the box.

For more information contact the Cultural Arts Commission at 619.522‐2633 or coronadoarts@gmail.com.