With generous support provided by The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and the City of Beverly Hills, Sing for Hope is delivering sixteen new artist-created Sing for Hope Pianos to sixteen specially selected public schools across the Greater Los Angeles Area. These uniquely colorful piano artworks were made available for anyone and everyone to play last summer, and now the Sing for Hope Pianos head to their permanent homes with students, teachers, and school communities.
Participating schools include Jordan High School in Watts, Vanalden Early Education Center in Tarzana, Montebello Gardens Elementary in Pico Rivera, Dorris Place Elementary School in Elysian Park, View Park Preparatory High School in Hyde Park, and George Washington Carver Middle School in South Park.
Each Sing for Hope Piano features original artwork designed by Los Angeles-based visual artists, who were selected by a volunteer adjudication panel of California-based art world luminaries and community leaders. The artists include: Adam Rodgers (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school Debbie Allen Dance Academy), Alexandra Nechita (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school Beverly Hills High School), Bendow (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school Good Shepherd Catholic School), Chaz Guest (Sing for Hope partner school information forthcoming), Çiğdem Akbay (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school Chase Early Education Center), Gooey (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school George Washington Carver Middle School), Helena Faitelson (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school San Fernando Middle School), Laishan Mui Ito (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school Dorris Place Elementary School), Laurie Tsou (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school CHAMPS Charter High School), Marisabel Bazan (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school View Park Preparatory High School), The Miracle Project with GRoW @ The Wallis (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts), Mireille Fournier (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school Montebello Gardens Elementary School), Ms.Yellow (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school Gabriella Charter School), Punk Me Tender (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school Greenwood Elementary School), Sheila Darcey (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school Lokrantz Special Education Center), and Yalda Sepahpour (Sing for Hope Piano now at our partner school Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 8).
The Sing for Hope Pianos program began in New York City in 2010. Today it is one of the world’s largest annually recurring public arts programs, with more than 500 one-of-a-kind piano artworks placed in public spaces from The Bronx to Beirut, and from Aspen to Athens, for anyone and everyone to enjoy.
“Los Angeles and Beverly Hills are beautiful, resilient cities and we’re thrilled to bring hope and healing to people in these communities as the country continues its path to reopening,” said Monica Yunus, Sing for Hope Co-Founder. “Music and art bring people together, and as the world emerges from the pandemic, the Sing for Hope Pianos aim to share vital moments of joy, connection, and arts for all.”
“The arts play a key role in uplifting and inspiring people of all ages,” said Camille Zamora, Sing for Hope Co-Founder. “As our cities seek to ‘build back better’ in the months ahead, human-centered solutions like the Sing for Hope Pianos reinvigorate our public spaces and remind us of our shared humanity. We’re honored to partner with The Wallis, the City of Beverly Hills, and the amazing LA-area artist community to bring these tools of joy, innovation, and harmony to our students all across LA.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome these wonderful works of art to our public spaces for all to enjoy,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Bob Wunderlich. “Sing for Hope Pianos innovatively brings together culture and community, two of the hallmarks of our City. We invite all to enjoy these creative works while celebrating incredible artistic talent in a world class environment. We are delighted that these one-of-a-kind piano artworks will continue to be an artistic resource and source of joy when they are moved to schools and other community-based permanent homes following their public display.”
Added Rachel Fine, Executive Director and CEO of The Wallis, “Beyond solo piano playing, we know that choirs, bands, all kinds of musical ensembles, and even dancers will develop their talents and new channels of creativity through these new Sing for Hope Pianos in schools. They will be embraced by and spark joy in everyone.”
Liquitex is the Official Paint Sponsor for Sing for Hope Pianos and have generously provided paint for each of the artists. Studio space was also generously donated by Beverly Hills Tower, LLC, providing a communal space for the artists to work. Sing for Hope’s programs are made possible by The International Foundation for Arts and Culture (Dr. Haruhisa Handa, Chairman, Sing for Hope Global Patron); The National Endowment for the Arts; The Sing for Hope Founders’ Circle, including The Arnhold Foundation in loving memory of Sissy and Henry Arnhold, The Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, The Anna-Maria & Stephen Kellen Foundation, and Ann Ziff; Fosun International; and the generosity of donors like you.
