Artists Depict New Gerald Desmond Bridge Under Construction

The Long Beach Creative Group presents Under Construction: The Long Beach Port in Paintings and Photographs. The exhibition is a collection of paintings, drawings and photographs created during three of the seven-year construction of the new Gerald Desmond Bridge connecting Long Beach to Terminal Island. Featured artists include Helen Werner Cox, Kathryn Babcock, Sarah Arnold, and Liz Talbot and photography by Paul Trinidad and Nick Santa Ana.

Through permission from the Shimmick Construction Company, the artists were allowed onto the construction site, both under the bridge and on the top, with unparalleled 360-degree views of the harbor. Outfitted in hard hats and safety vests, often working hundreds of feet above the ground, they accumulated a collection of paintings and drawings — completed on location — in oil, watercolor, charcoal, ink and pencil. From these observational works several large images were developed.

The project was deeply personal for Kathryn McDaniel Babcock. “I grew up in the area,” she said in a recent interview, “and have spent many years driving over the old Gerald Desmond Bridge. When I heard that they were going to take it down, I needed to find a way to remember it for myself because it had been such an important part of my childhood, and growing up.”

Trinidad and Santa Ana both worked on the construction project, and captured breathtaking photographs of the bridge. “It’s all hand-crafted,” Trinidad said. “People just see the finished product and forget what it took to get there. This exhibition makes me appreciate the process.”

Under Construction also features a tunnel book — a three-dimensional re-creation of the harbor that replicates theatrical stage sets. In response to seeing their work reimagined through the artists, construction workers were fascinated. It affirmed the importance and beauty of their work. The project engineer wrote: “I have said in the past the geometric design of the towers was the essence of form meeting function. [Building the towers from the bottom up] We came up with the octagonal design that goes from eight sides to a four-sided diamond because we wanted to have only four sides varying in width for the ease of forming the concrete placements. … These paintings also demonstrate the power of form meeting function.” 

The exhibition will be open for viewing on weekends through May 1. The LBCG will also present the show virtually. Using a web-based system, people can explore the art in a 3-D digital space. No appointment is required. To schedule a viewing outside these hours, call 562-400-5166. 

Time: Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. April 3 to May 1

Details: www.LongBeachCreativeGroup.com

Venue: LBCG/Rod Briggs Gallery 2221, E. Broadway, Long Beach