The public is invited to a dedication ceremony for the new public works of art at Rosie’s Dog Beach this Wednesday, the City of Long Beach announced today.

The artful silhouettes (thankfully replacing those strewn-about orange cones) will provide a visual representation of the boundaries of Rosie’s Dog Beach, the 2.9 acre off-leash recreation area located south of Ocean Boulevard between Granada and Roycroft Avenues.

“Rosie’s Dog Beach is now easier to find, thanks to this distinctive, colorful art depicting dogs at play,” said Mayor Garcia in an earlier press statement. “I am grateful for the partnership with the Arts Council of Long Beach that made this project possible.”

The Arts Council for Long Beach worked with the Long Beach Marine Bureau staff to hold a statewide artists’ competition with the challenge of designing work that would both brand Rosie’s Dog Beach and communicate said boundaries.

Artist Karena Massengill’s vision to fabricate 18 dogs at play out of powder-coated three-eighths-of-an-inch plate steel in bright colors was chosen to grace the boundaries of the only beach designated as a dog park in Los Angeles County.

Third District Councilwoman Suzie Price commended Massengill for her work. “Ms. Massengill has provided a creative way to let people at Rosie’s Dog Beach know where the boundaries are for their dogs to safely frolic and play off leash,” she said. 

Massengill studied art at Temple University School of Fine Art in Philadelphia, graduating in 1975, and graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Master of Fine Art Degree in Sculpture in 1993. According to her bio, the artist’s first experience with public art was in 1978 when she received an Ontario Arts Council Grant for a project.

“I love the idea of creating public art that celebrates the playful and very special relationship we humans have with our dogs,” said Ms. Massengill.

For more information about the dedication of the Rosie’s Dog Beach Art Installation, call 562.570.3240.

Photo courtesy of Best in Shore/Bark Long Beach.