Santa Monica High School: Clements Mosaic – Santa Monica CA

Description

In 1937, Grace Clements adorned a 30-foot curved bench at Santa Monica High School with petrachrome mosaics depicting ocean life. Created under the auspices of the WPA Federal Arts Project (FAP), “Senior Bench” is located in a landscaped area south of the Greek Amphitheater.

Clements used the petrachrome method “whereby tinted cement mortar mixed with crushed rock, glass, or tile is applied to the mural surface, with different colored sections delineated by strips of brass. Once hardened, the cement is polished to create a bold, striking appearance. This method was developed by Santa Monica artist Stanton Macdonald-Wright while he was serving as Director of the Southern California Division of the Federal Art Project” (HRG Report, p. 44).

“The WPA was largely responsible for the aquatic theme visible throughout the campus today, from the ocean life depicted in the Senior Bench mosaic; to the nautilus shell on the doors on Barnum Hall; to the wave design on the patterned block which appears around the main entrance of the History Building, as a backdrop to ‘The Viking’ Fountain Sculpture, and in the foyer of Barnum Hall” (HRG Report, p. 44).