In The Arts

Artists sought for ‘Change’ meters

The city of Laguna Beach is looking for artists to paint three new parking meters.

In 2008, the city worked with the Chamber of Commerce to develop a public education program to discourage panhandling in the downtown area. Citizens and businesses were encouraged to redirect donations from panhandlers to organizations such as the Laguna Relief and Resource Coalition that support broad based effective homeless solutions.

A pilot program was developed that included five artist-painted parking meters. The artist-painted parking meters encourages people to put their change into the meter, rather than in the hands of panhandlers. Over the past two years, these meters have collected more than $8,000.

This year the program is being expanded to include three additional locations at pedestrian and public transport areas that lead to the summer festivals.

Three artists will be given a parking meter, stand and footplate to paint, and awarded $400. Artists are encouraged to make the meters brightly colored, but they must remain functional.