Along California’s 840-mile coastline lies a deep maritime and military heritage—now vividly brought to life through a new public art walk in Marina, near Monterey. Featuring 14 striking installations by local and regional artists, this permanent exhibit connects the natural beauty of the Central Coast with the legacy of nearby Fort Ord, a former U.S. Army training ground.

The new public art walk features the innovative installations by local and regional artists as they interpret the incredible relationship between artists and the sea and, in particular, pay tribute to the men and women who have served in our military at Fort Ord from 1947 to 1975. Notable artists include Portland’s Ivan McLean, who created seven steel sculptures inspired by the coastline, and David Gauger, whose mural honors military service through a powerful composition of dog tags, which was brought to life by muralists Phil Vanderkraats and Mr. Kim.

Honoring Service and Creativity

Fort Ord was a vital training ground for U.S. Army soldiers for nearly 80 years. Up to 1.5 million troops prepared there for service. Today, the nearby Fort Ord National Monument honors the courage and dedication of the men and women who served in the major conflicts of the 20th century. Visitors can explore 86 miles of trails—perfect for hiking, biking, or horseback riding—winding through rolling hills, chaparral, and oak woodlands.

The Dunes in Marina hosts the immersive art experience, and is a walkable urban village developed by Shea Homes. The Promenade is a corridor designed with a small-business local feel that includes artist studios, live/work lofts, coffee shops, restaurants, and more  where visitors stroll through a curated collection of sculptures, murals, and environmental art that reflect both the Pacific Ocean’s grandeur and Fort Ord’s historic role as a military training hub. 

‘We wanted to preserve the stories of service and sacrifice,’ says Don Hofer, VP of Shea Homes Northern California. ‘A permanent installation is a meaningful way to remember those who served and inspire those who live here today.'”

Landscape architects C2 Collaborative and Gauger + Associates collaborated with artists, designers, and craftspeople to execute their concepts, which includes the award-winning “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” mosaic, designed by Gauger + Associates and crafted by Bodesi, which recently won the American Graphic Design Award in the Environmental Graphics Category.

Photo Courtesy: Marina Art Walk / www.gauger-associates.com

Meet the Artists

Local and regional artists, the true storytellers of our coastal narrative, bring this unique and vibrant narrative to life:

• Portland artist Ivan McLean created seven steel sculptures inspired by the coastline. Ivan’s sculptures are abstractions of the natural shapes found in the oceanic environment.
• Gauger + Associates designed 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall. The colored glass mosaic was fabricated by Bodesi and installed by JC Tile. 
• David Gauger illustrated a composition of five dog tags, which recognize the diversity of the members of the US Army. The illustration was interpreted by muralists Phil Vanderkraats and Mr. Kim, known for his agricultural murals throughout the Salinas Valley.
• Designer and artist Lori Murphy created an interpretation of golden kelp against a background of deep blue.
• Mr. Kim and the Signs by Van team executed the undersea mural, a massive painting project depicting the Monterey Bay that wraps around the Century Theater and provides the backdrop for the Central Park and Art Walk.
• Additional installations include reproductions of iconic state beach and historical Southern Pacific Railway signage. 

A Living Legacy

The Art Walk in Marina stands as a bridge between past and present and is just minutes from the beach and close to Monterey, the charming village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, the scenic 17-mile drive in Pebble Beach, and Carmel Valley Wine Country.

Published by Joseph T.