Mark Beam has a dream.
The 30-year local resident believes the oil derricks motorists’ eyes might spy on their travels through the local area do not have to look so bland, cold and industrial.
Beam saw the derricks and thought, why not dress them up a bit and give them some personality?
He recently received a $1,000 grant from Long Beach Arts Council for 1000, which will cover the costs to do one derrick.
He said he would need more support to have the program make the impact he would like to see.
“I would like to do all the derricks in the field,” he said. “The Seal Beach Lions Club, Los Cerritos Wetlands Conservancy and the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce have it on their meeting agendas.”
According to Beam, the project is a vinyl sticker on both sides that takes 30 minutes to install.
“Kick-starting the effort is a group funding website to put the ideas out there and people from around the world can give funds toward the idea,” he said.
However, Beam said local donations would probably tip the scales toward success for the project.
“I don’t hold great hopes for the website, but it sure sounds good in theory,” he said. “I am waiting to see how many pumps I can raise funds for to complete. Then I will have the information to give to the oil company.”
For more information, contact Beam at markdbeam@hotmail.com.
