Vote Now: New Banners Coming to Sunset & Vine

Voting is now open in the Sunset & Vine District Banner Design contest at Hollywood HQ (www.facebook.com/HollywoodHQ). 

Hollywood is known around the world as the Entertainment Capitol of the World, where creative minds come to share their artistic visions with the world.  Now, the Sunset & Vine Business Improvement District (BID), a non-profit organization made up of property owners surrounding the famed intersection, has teamed up with Helen Bernstein High School to showcase the homegrown talent right here in the neighborhood.  Rather than hire a graphic designer to create new pole banners for the District, the board of directors elected to let students in the art department have a shot at it, as part of a class assignment and contest. 

Under the guidance of art instructor Justice O’Neil, over 60 students worked to create 35 unique designs as part of the contest.  The assignment was broken down into smaller lessons on lettering, coloring, and design before the large, final artworks were completed.

“It is so valuable for students to have the opportunity to work with the business community so they can experience, practice and learn what goes on in the real world,” O’Neil said.  “As educators, we talk to our students about the ‘real world’ all the time, but there is nothing like personal experience to bring that lesson home.”

The board of directors of the Central Hollywood Coalition, the governing body of the Sunset & Vine BID, has allocated funds to fabricate over 150 double-panel street pole banners in four designs. Two of the winning designs will be selected through the Facebook contest, the first ever undertaken by the BID. 

All community members are encouraged to vote for their favorite designs.  Individuals are able to vote for one banner per day with a Facebook account.  The other two designs will be selected by the Central Hollywood Coalition.

“We have been so grateful to work with the students at Helen Bernstein High School, one of the premiere LAUSD schools, located in a brand new building at the gateway to the District,” Sarah MacPherson, executive director of the Sunset & Vine District, said.  “We see this as one of the first of many partnerships between the business community and the future leaders in Hollywood.”

The student’s works will figure prominently into the upcoming Sunset & Dine event, which will not only celebrate the renewal of the District, but will showcase the local food and entertainment options within the BID.  The event is being planned for June 7, 2012.

“I was really impressed with the colorful and clever designs the students came up with to represent the Sunset & Vine District,” Elizabeth McDonald, Los Angeles Film School and CHC board member, said.  "I am on the planning committee for the upcoming Sunset & Dine event, where we will exhibit all of the designs.  We are very excited to be able to share them with the community.”  

The Sunset & Vine District is a seven-year property-based Business Improvement District (BID), that spans 15 blocks along the world-renowned Sunset Boulevard, from roughly Schrader Boulevard on the west to the 101 Freeway on the east. Renewed in 2012, the SVBID is composed of approximately 138 property owners who are assessed $1.4 million annually to pay for security, maintenance services and marketing to promote the revitalization of the area.   Major landmarks in the District include the Cinerama Dome, Sunset & Vine Tower, Sunset Gower Studios, The Los Angeles Film School, and the former Tribune Studios.  

More information on the BID is available at www.sunsetandvinebid.org.