THE FEATURED ARTISTS OF SOUTH EL MONTE

Meet the creators shaping the visual landscape of our City.

The South El Monte Arts District is a living gallery, and our artists are the heart of this transformation. This Webpage will serve as a directory for our Featured Artists, linking their physical art in South El Monte to the digital stories behind them and cross-marketing their talent.

🎨 Become a Featured Artist

Every artist commissioned through the Business Mural Program or City initiatives receives a dedicated profile and becomes a Featured Artist. When a visitor scans the SEM.art or the QR Code at an artwork site, they will be brought directly to the Arts Map featuring the artwork and location and links to the featured artist's biography, art installations and their Instagram page.  You'll also benefit from City-led cross-marketing featuring the art in the City newsletter and social media, an unveiling reception, and City Council recognition.  

• Obtain Approval: Email info@SEM.art with your Artist Artwork Waiver, signed property owner and business owner authorization, proposed art idea and location and obtain approval. Please allow up to 14 days for a response.  
• Digital Integration: Include "SEM.art" and the QR code in your art or on a plaque recognizing the artwork after City approval.
• Visibility: Get featured on our Arts Map with direct links to your artwork’s location with a brief description of the artwork.  
• Marketing: Benefit from City-led cross-marketing featuring the art in the City newsletter and social media, an unveiling reception, and City Council recognition.

Design 

Work with your business partner and City staff to develop a vision. The program encourages designs that celebrate community heritage, creative placemaking, and "Instagrammable" moments that attract visitors, but that is also appropriate for all ages.

In accordance with the standards set forth in Municipal Code Section 17.150.20, the artwork shall positively contribute to the City’s aesthetics and must prioritize community-affirming content by strictly excluding nudity, profanity, violence, discriminatory, defamatory and other obscene language and imagery (See California Penal Code § 311, et seq.). The work should remain content-neutral except for direct advertising of the on-site businesses’ name, slogan, logo and content reflective of their business, avoiding any other commercial advertising, political campaigning, or trademarked logos that could be construed as unregulated signage. Professionally, the project must demonstrate community harmony with its surroundings and utilize high-grade, archival materials—including a UV-resistant, anti-graffiti coating—to ensure the work remains a visual asset rather than a maintenance concern. Artwork, like signage, is required to be maintained in good condition at all times per South El Monte Municipal Code Section 17.15.060.

Note: This program is part of the Arts District Overlay implementation and may change at any time. Funding and formal ordinance adoption are scheduled for Summer 2026. Contact us today to participate!

🗺 Arts Map

Want to see where the art is happening? View our Arts Map to see current installations, artist bios, and participating business locations.