On May 5th, 2021, Imperial Beach officially joined the City of Kindness movement. As part of their campaign for kindness, Imperial Beach and IB Arts Bureau worked with local artists to create five murals that represent kindness, in hopes of inspiring the community and all those who pass by.
Becoming a City of Kindness
During the City Council’s official proclamation, announcing Imperial Beach as a City of Kindness, Mayor Serge Dedina stated, “We believe Imperial Beach is an even better community when people respect one another, and leaders prioritize people. We also recognize the health, psychological, and civic benefits of kindness.” Dedina went on to explain, “Our intention with this designation is to take steps to foster kindness in our deliberations and decisions leading to kind thoughts and actions throughout the city of Imperial Beach.
“Fully funded by the San Diego-based Chuck and Ernestina Kreutzkamp Foundation in collaboration with the Imperial Beach Arts Bureau,” the kindness murals are leading the way as Imperial Beach campaigns for kindness and celebrates its new unified mission
The Kindness Murals
Chances are that If you frequent Imperial Beach, you’ve seen a kindness mural or two in person. Created to demonstrate the many perspectives on kindness, these murals are decorating the city streets, sharing their message to the community with each passerby.
Isabella Anderson’s piece can be found at Veterans Park, featuring a happy couple surrounded by flowers and leaves. Carly Ealey’s creation is displayed on Palm Avenue and Florence street, where two hands meet, holding a heart. And if you’re looking to take the full tour, you can find Marissa Quinn’s mural on 3rd Street and Palm Avenue, Michelle Lubin’s on Seacoast Drive and Ebony Avenue, with the final mural by the IB Arts Bureau at Sports Park.
In hopes of getting the community involved, the IB Arts Bureau held an event to commemorate the completion of the Sports Park kindness mural. According to the Imperial Beach News, “The public was invited to personalize it by signing it, putting handprints, drawing and writing words. A table with supplies staffed by volunteers provided materials such as paint and markers. Kids, adults, and even a dog left their mark on the wall with messages of love.”
‘A Case for Kindness’
As part of the Imperial Beach campaign for kindness, a film crew has been documenting the making of the murals and their surrounding events, in hopes of sharing the Imperial Beach City of Kindness journey with the public by summer. According to the Imperial Beach News’ interview with the director, Steven Sawalich, the documentary entitled “A Case for Kindness,” will be about “kindness and its impact on ourselves and the community.” Sawalich explained, “It’s the beginning of a city becoming kind.”
And what a beautiful beginning it’s been! Thank you for joining us in the City of Kindness movement and for your commitment to creating a kinder community, Imperial Beach! We so look forward to seeing your murals in person and, even more so, to following along as you cultivate kindness in your city!
