Portraits of Hope  unveils the first 3 of 156 Los Angeles County lifeguard towers covered in vibrant art panels -- officially launching "Summer of Color" on Wednesday, May 19, 2010.

Nearly 6,000 kids in schools, hospitals, and community programs and nearly 2,500 adult volunteers, have been involved in the unprecedented public art and civic project involving all the LA County lifeguard towers on 31 miles of beach from Zuma to Palos Verdes!

For six months preceding the installation, Portraits of Hope engaged children and adults from 118 school, hospital, youth, and social service programs in civic leadership and creative therapy sessions. The Braille Institute, Special Olympics, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitative Center, and Program for Torture Victims are among the many organizations that have participated.

In preparation for the exhibition, the rails and cross beams on the 156 towers were freshly painted three weeks ago in five rotating Benjamin Moore colors. Thanks to the great organizational skills of Danai, the paint supply distribution by Vista Paints, and the volunteer turnout efforts by Starbucks and others, the rails on 151 of the 156 towers were painted in a single four-hour period by 1,200 volunteers! The rails on the last 5 towers were painted shortly thereafter. 2,200+ panels will be installed on the towers within 3 weeks, courtesy of Chris Bonas and Morley Builders.