City of Monrovia

Monrovia, CA

About Monrovia Treasures

The Neighborhood Treasures Program celebrates Monrovia heroes for their
contributions to the community through public art. The art pieces are unique to the
specific person being honored. The art will enrich the lives of those who view it and
improve neighborhoods just by its presence. The art piece will be attached to a
Neighborhood Treasure post with plaque (provided by the City) that provides data
on the recipient. The post provides a consistent identifying marker for the program.
See the image on the bottom right of this page for a post previously used.

Process

Artists are asked to submit a detailed design for the art piece. The design needs to
provide a good understanding of how the artwork will look attached to the post.
Installations will primarily take place in public parkways generally ten feet wide. City
Staff asks that the artist work with the post fabricator to ensure the proper
placement of the art. A stipend of $12,000 will be awarded to the artist who designs
and creates the chosen art.

Required Submission

The Neighborhood Treasures public art will be unique to the person and site and
could be realized through various media such as paintings, statues, mosaics, etc.
Other requirements include:
1. Able to withstand diverse weather conditions
2. Be able to be attached to the post
3. Made out of durable material
4. A maximum of 30 inches tall and wide
5. Not present any safety concerns for pedestrians
6. Unique to the honoree and compatible with the neighborhood
7. Art must have the words NEIGHBORHOOD TREASURE included on it

Recipient

Bettie Mae Scott was a World War II WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) who
died while serving her country. Her father was the Chief of Police in Monrovia.
She was a graduate of Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte High School, and attended
Pasadena Junior College. In October 1943, she entered the Army Airforce
Training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, and graduated on April 15, 1944.

She was an engineering test pilot and was stationed at Waco Army Air Field in
Texas. Bettie Mae was killed while flight testing a BT-13 Valiant aircraft. She was
one of only thirty-eight WWII WASPs killed while in the service of their country.

She died two weeks before her 23rd birthday and was engaged to be married
later that month. Her coffin was sent home in a cheap pine box, and she received
no military funeral as WASP’s were not “officially recognized” by the military at
that time – not until 1977. However, the City of Monrovia businesses shut down
the day of her funeral, and the Police and Fire Department were the pallbearers
and honorary pallbearers. Bettie Mae is buried at Live Oak Cemetery.

Bettie Mae’s artwork will be placed somewhere in close proximity to the Live Oak
Cemetery (200 E. Duarte Rd.). Art work installation will take place the week of
November 12, 2018 with a celebration being held on November 17, 2018.

Submission

Please submit design and all required specifications to:

Monrovia City Hall, Community Development Department
415 S. Ivy Avenue, Monrovia CA 91016Attention: Kerri Zessau
Please contact Kerri Zessau 626.932.5564 or [email protected]
with questions.

2018 Schedule

Artwork Deadline – August 23
Art in Public Places Committee
approval – August 27
Council approval – September 4
Artist Notifications – September 5
Project Completion – November 5
Art Installation – week of November 12

Submission Criteria

 Letter of Interest
 Design on a sheet of paper at least
8 ½ X 11”
 Exact dimensions
 Proposed materials
Selection Design
Designs will be reviewed by City staff
and the Art in Public Places
Committee. Final decision will be made
by Monrovia City Council.