The Golden Mile
The Golden Mile is a 120-foot long photographic installation showing the entire main street of West Bromwich in the West Midlands, UK. The work shows both the east and west sides of the street and is a composite of 1506 images taken during four seasons of 2003, 2006, and 2009.
Link here to see a digital version of the photograph
The project was funded by The Public, West Midlands, and Arts Council England.
The Golden Mile has been exhibited at The Public, West Bromich; Yucun Art Museum, Suzhou, China; Syo Gallery, Daegu, South Korea; Torrance Museum, CA; Long Beach City College Art Gallery, CA
Thru the Earth
Thru the Earth was first created by Kim Abeles in 2006 at the Community Magnet School that is a stones throw across a the 405 from the Getty. In early August 2026, we freshened the artwork for the new school year. I am grateful to Principal Toni Klugh and her staff, and to Michael Schaafsma, Zöe Patiño, and Albert Basulto for their good work!
Process images (2006)
This project was built with the help and good nature of many people who worked side by side with me. It was made possible originally through funds from The Board of Public Works' Community Beautification Grant.
Special thanks to the following:
Francine Nellis, Bill Watson, and crew for the foundation and preparation of the site.
Michael Schaafsma and his crew: Craig Cloonan, Steve Kier, and Carlos for installing all the elements and returning to freshen up the artwork in August 2026. And Principal Toni Klugh and her staff including Albert Basulto who made the restoration possible.
Guillermo Gonzalez, Jairo Gonzalez, Zoe Abeles Patiño, and Yasamine Yaya Daniels for helping me make all the pavers at the studio.
Sandy Escobar for her help with the ceramic perimeter that honors all the places around the world where students have familial connections. And to Patsy Cox for letting us use the Ceramic facilities at Cal State University Northridge to create this element.
Also CSUN alumni Akiko Jackson, Ananda Mayi, Emilie Carroll who helped with installation needs in 2006 and 2019.
Artists Katherine Gaudet and Lesley Krane who were also parents of kids at the school; Katherine first approached me about the commission, and Leslie created the group image of the students following the 2006 completion of the pathway. And Pam Marton who was principal when the project started. Additional help from Chris Calvert, Lisa Meldrum, Leslie Anton, and Anne Marie Scahaf.
And again, special thanks to the students, parents, and friends of Community Magnet School who participated in the project.
