About The Wonder | The Answer - Belmar 2020

This poem is to honor and commemorate the history of the African American residents and business owners of the Belmar neighborhood from c. 1900 - 1950s. The community was destroyed to make way for what is now the Civic Auditorium campus in the city of Santa Monica, California.

Belmar History + Art is a civic commemoration project led by Artist: April Banks and Historian: Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson. Belmar was significant to development in the Ocean Park district, creating a distinct African American business, church, leisure, and beach culture from c. 1900 - 1950s. It was destroyed to make way for what is now the Civic Auditorium campus. A team has been gathered to develop art and interpretive elements and an educational program centered at the new Civic Center Multipurpose Field, which is set to open in summer 2020. A permanent art piece will be placed around the field. Learn more about this project here and displacement here