Long Beach Airport workers have recently uncovered previously unseen sections of a communication- and transportation-themed mosaic from 1941, as announced on Thursday.
The mosaic, titled “Communication (Aviation and Navigation)” and created by artist Grace Clements, showcases various elements of Long Beach, including a flight route map, a rotary telephone being dialed, maritime-themed art, oil wells, and the City of Long Beach’s incorporation emblem.
The airport’s historic terminal, currently undergoing renovations, contains hidden public art that has remained hidden for decades, according to LB Mayor Rex Richardson.
Mayor Richardson stated, “The ongoing restoration of the terminal and the mosaic masterpiece ensures that future generations can appreciate its beauty.”
The $17.8 million renovation project, expected to be completed early next year, includes expert-led efforts to locate and protect the entire mosaic. The mosaic is made up of nine vignettes, consisting of around 1.6 million hand-cut tiles in twenty-four different colors.
In recent weeks, the final hidden vignettes have been discovered and exposed, allowing the full mosaic to be visible for the first time in decades.
Grace Clements, born in 1905, was commissioned by the Work Projects Administration to create the federally funded floor mosaic and several murals for the terminal’s opening in 1941. The terminal, designed by architects William Horace Austin and Kenneth Smith Wing, is renowned for its Streamline Moderne Art Deco style.
Despite the renovation, Long Beach Airport remains open and fully operational, with services temporarily relocated within the facility.
The terminal renovations include the preservation of the mosaic, seismic retrofitting, improved restrooms and building infrastructure, and the restoration of significant design elements. The first floor will accommodate rental car services, while administrative offices will be located on the second floor.
On November 26, LBA, California’s oldest municipal airport, will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
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