October 2, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Flying High Over Santa Monica

Colorful kites soar.

By Michael Ray

High above the sandy shores of the northern side of Santa Monica Pier, a flurry of color peppered the skyline for the Seventh Annual Kite Festival, Saturday April 14. The event was hosted by Otis College of Art and Design with thousands attending the afternoon long event to build kites, create interactive sculptures, create sandcastles and engage in other art and design activities.

Glenn Mitchell flew a red, white and blue single tail kite that could be seen from Palisades Park. “If it were windier, I would be using a line with a 500 pound breaking strength, since it’s not, I’m using a line with a 300 pound breaking strength,” Mitchell explained. The experienced kite flyer added that having the right strength line prevents you from doing “the walk of shame,” after you’ve chased down a loose kite.

This year the kite festival was dedicated to Tom Van Sant, considered the “father of modern kite making” and in attendance at the event.

“I was in the first graduating class of Otis Art Institute, there were four of us, and that was when Otis was on Wilshire near MacArthur Park,” Van Sant told The Mirror.

“Tom is one of Otis College’s most illustrious alumni,” explained Richard Shelton, Creative Action Director at Otis College of Art and Design. “He’s done public artwork around Los Angeles, he worked with Al Gore on an Inconvenient Truth, and he’s also a kite builder.”

Throughout the festival grounds, a mass of tables enabled attendees to work on crafting their own kites. Adults, children and families, used an assortment of provided materials to cut, design and build small, colorful, kites. Pricilla, a teen in attendance with her grandmother, decorated her kite to reflect her educational goal.

“I’m using crayons, paint and string” she said, painting “NYU” (New York University) in purple on her kite.

At another table Jim Withrow, an older kite builder, came with his wife; they have both volunteered for the festival for the last four years. “It is a lot of fun,” said Withrow.

For more information visit, www.otis.edu.

in News
Related Posts

(Video) Interview With Downtown Activist on Being Attacked by Homeless Suspect

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

John Alle, co-founder of Santa Monica Coalition, was attacked in Palisades Park while filming. @smmirrornews John Alle was hospitalized after...

Suspected Drunk Driver Slams Into Citizen on Venice Beach Boardwalk

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

The Suspect Is Also Seen Drinking From a Modelo Beer Bottle By Zach Armstrong A potential drunk driver hit a...

Beloved Roosevelt Elementary Teacher Kitty Donohoe Leaves a Legacy of Inspiration

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

Longtime Educator Remembered for 35 Years of Dedication to Roosevelt Community By Gail Pinsker The Santa Monica – Malibu Unified...

$10K of Pickleball Equipment Destroyed in Memorial Park Arson

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Thanks to an Outpour of Donations and Support, Storage Bins Should Be Set Up by the End of Next Week...

Revolutionize Your Coffee Experience: Blue Bottle’s Exclusive Residency Unveiled

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

A Full Flavor Coffee Experience With Dessert Meant For Savoring  By Dolores Quintana Blue Bottle Coffee, a well-known specialty coffee...

Rebranded Breakfast Burrito Specialist Still Eyes 2023 Santa Monica Opening

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Earlier This Year, It Was Reported the Restaurant Will Expand in a Different Time Frame Than Initially Expected By Zach...

Women’s Surf Film Festival Making California Debut in Venice

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

With an Array of Storytelling From Both Artists, the Festival Spotlights Inspiring Narratives of Female Surfers. The Women’s Surf Film...

Free “Masters of Dance” Workshops and Classes Open by SMC

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

It Features a Lineup of Master Classes and Educational Workshops Led by Accomplished Dance Professionals The Santa Monica College Dance...

Samohi Orchestra Program to Host Annual Fall Benefit Concert

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

Audience Will Be Enchanted With Pieces From Movies Including Aladdin, Harry Potter and Howl’s Moving Castle The nationally recognized and...

Hollywood Twist: Writers Guild Strikes Gold with Extraordinary Deal

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

WGA Members To Vote On Ratification of the Tentative Contract  By Dolores Quintana  After The Writers Guild of America (WGA)...

Film Review: Amerikatsi

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWAmerikatsiUnrated117 MinutesReleased September 8, 2023 A storyline predominantly based on voyeurism is not a new cinematic concept, and here...

Film Review: Bottoms

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWBOTTOMSRated R91 MinutesReleased August 25th Welcome to a new generation of breakout stars of American comedy who make the...

Hotel Workers Go On Strike in Santa Monica Amid Negotiation Standstill

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

The Union Is Urging Hotels to Instantly Increase Hourly Wages By Zach Armstrong Santa Monica hotel workers at Fairmont Miramar,...

(Video) Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Skeletons are seen climbing onto the home goods retailer. @smmirrornews Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons. Skeletons are...

Another Burglar Hits Montana Avenue

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Adding to Other Recent Incidents at Some of the Road’s More Than 150 Dining Spots and Retailers By Zach Armstrong...