In honor of its 40th anniversary, the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation (MBEF) unveiled the Seeds of Knowledge Community Recognition Project — an art installation in downtown Manhattan Beach at Metlox Plaza acknowledging the community of educators, parents, students, volunteers, and donors who value and support education. The installation not only celebrates the decades of support of Manhattan Beach schools through MBEF and the Endowment, but also invites viewers to explore the significance of education in our lives.
Artist Betsy K. Schulz designed a mural depicting a child discovering the world — the layers of earth beneath her, the environment around her, and the future represented in the stars. The mural includes highly detailed ceramic tiles with many layers of words, imagery, and texture and is meant to be touched and experienced by the public.
THE RECOGNITION
The Seeds of Knowledge recognizes the community’s collective commitment to high-quality public education – yesterday, today and tomorrow. Significant donors to MBEF and the Endowment are recognized on ceramic tiles representing their cumulative giving to MBEF and the MBEF Endowment. The Donor Recognition Policy specifies the qualifications at four donation levels representing $100K, $250K, $500K and $1M. A complete list of current Seeds of Knowledge Donors is linked here and included in the image below. Each year MBEF conducts an annual review of donations at the close of the fiscal year and makes adjustments to the Seeds of Knowledge mural.
DEDICATION
The Seeds of Knowledge is a collaboration with the City of Manhattan Beach and the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation. On Saturday, May 6, 2023, MBEF unveiled the mural in conjunction with its 40th anniversary celebration. Past and present MBEF Board Members, city officials, Senator Ben Allen, artist Betsy Schulz, local dignitaries, donors, community members, parents and children all joined in the celebration.
