BLQ Expressions: A Community Art Contest
The Byzantine Latino Quarter–Pico Business Improvement District (BLQ BID) is proud to present BLQ Expressions, a community art contest inviting local youth to help beautify our neighborhood by designing and painting our district’s utility boxes.
This public art initiative is a celebration of culture, creativity, and community pride—made possible with generous support from Council District 1 and Council District 10. Thank you for investing in local youth and the visual identity of Pico Boulevard.
Who Can Participate
Participation is open only to students attending schools located within the BLQ BID boundaries (Pico Blvd. between Western Ave. and Albany St., including the perimeter of Loyola High School and St. Sophia Cathedral). Please confirm your school's eligibility before submitting.
There are two opportunities to get involved:
🎨 Middle School Student Design Contest
Middle school students are invited to submit original utility box artwork based on one of the following themes:
CD10 Theme: Celebrating Our Oaxacan Heritage
CD1 Theme: Love for the Neighborhood We Live In and the Neighborhood We Dream About
Prizes & Recognition:
11 winning designs will be selected by a panel of judges
Each winner will receive a $100 Visa gift card and a certificate of recognition
Winning artwork will be installed on utility boxes along Pico Blvd.
All participants will be recognized in the BID newsletter, on social media, and at a public unveiling ceremony
Submission Requirements:
Full-color artwork on the provided template (including all sides + top of the utility box)
100–200 word artist statement explaining the design’s connection to the selected theme
Required text: “City of LA” on one side and “www.lacity.org” on the other side
Artist name or school name may be included on the remaining side
Avoid large blank areas, which can attract graffiti
Artwork must be original and free of any copyrighted material
🗓 Submission Deadline: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM
📧 Submit to: Jessica@lani.org
🖌 High School Student Painting Team
High school art students are encouraged to apply to paint the winning middle school designs directly onto the utility boxes.
Compensation & Support:
Painters will be paid $100 per utility box
All materials will be provided by the BLQ BID
Requirements:
A recommendation from a school art teacher
Two samples of original painted artwork (submitted via email)
🗓 Submission Deadline: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM
📧 Submit to: Jessica@lani.org
Key Dates
Submissions Due: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Judging Period: September 29 – October 10, 2025
Winners Announced: Monday, October 13, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Painting Period: November 17 – December 12, 2025 (pending LADOT approval)
Downloadable Resources (In Progress)
Contest Flyer – English & Spanish (PDF)
Middle School Submission Template (PDF)
Utility Box Specifications (PDF)
Map of Utility Box Locations (PDF)
For questions or more information, please contact:
Jessica Legaspi, BID Manager
📧 Jessica@lani.org | 📞 (323) 376‑9309
🌐 www.blqbid.org
Let’s bring color, culture, and youth voices to Pico Boulevard—one box at a time.