Charles Gaines "A Frame for a Tree"
- Project TypeCultural Affairs Project
- Project ScheduleInstallation in progress, estimated completion in December 2026
- Contractor nameGeneral Contractor Ennis Steel; Project Management Dyson & Womack
Culver City’s grand vision for a transit hub that showcases public art
An ambitious decade-long initiative to repurpose former industrial land surrounding the Metro Expo Line (E Line) station into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly gateway.
- 2016 - Blueprint Approved
City Council approves the Washington/National Transit-Oriented District Streetscape Plan, laying out sustainable design goals and pitching a central collaborative public artwork to unify the four corners of the key intersection.
- 2018 – Paying for the Project
Adjacent developers Lowe (Ivy Station) and Lincoln Property Company (8777 Washington) partner with the City's Cultural Trust Fund to realize the public art monument.
- 2019 - Enlisting Expert Curation
The City issues a Request for Proposals for expert leadership, selecting Dyson & Womack to manage the project. Crucially, City Council directs that a beloved, mature Ficus tree on the site must be preserved as the heart of the art design.
- 2020 Drafting the Public Art Master Plan
The core framework kicks off with the completion of the Public Art Plan and guidelines for artist submissions. The Request for Qualifications is released to the public artist community.
- 2021 - A Global Call for Talent
Over 100 submissions arrive from local, national, and international artists. A professional review panel carefully evaluates every entry and narrows the field to a shortlist of 16 creators. Six visionary finalists are commissioned to build full site proposals: Blane de St. Croix, Charles Gaines, Iris Hu, Susan Narduli, Matthew Mazzotta, and Paul Cocksedge Studio.
- 2022 - A Winning Masterpiece Selected
The professional panel selects world-renowned artist Charles Gaines for his striking concept, "A Frame for a Tree." The design features an impressive 56' x 98' architectural frame, custom landscaping, arborist-backed tree protection, and an integration with the site's historic Hal Roach Studios plaque.
Following praise from the Cultural Affairs Commission, the Culver City Council gives final design approval—clearing the path to build an extraordinary new entryway for the city.
- 2025 - Design and Fabrication
Additional Information and Site Plan, Renderings and Elevations
If you would like additional information regarding the proposed project, please contact cultural.affairs@culvercity.gov.org or at (310) 253-6003.
Link to view high resolution renderings of the art project from multiple angles.(PDF, 13MB)
Location
8802 Washington Boulevard; corner of National Boulevard, Culver City 90230 View Map
34.0278428,-118.3863809
8802 Washington Boulevard; corner of National Boulevard ,
Culver City 90230
8802 Washington Boulevard; corner of National Boulevard ,
Culver City 90230
Charles Gaines "A Frame for a Tree"