Ocean Park in Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

A Resurrection in Four Stanzas

April Banks, 2021

— painted steel and aluminum sculpture —

<i>A Resurrection in Four Stanzas</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 27, 2025

1. A Resurrection in Four Stanzas Marker

Inscription. This sculpture is an homage to the shotgun house, a style of architecture that migrated west with African American dreamers and seekers. It celebrates the hopes and homes that were taken by eminent domain in the 1950s.

Featured on the sculpture:
• Selena Brunson with sons, 1909. Courtesy of Santa Monica Public Image Archives. Donated by Leana Brunson McClain and Donald A. Brunson, Jr.
• Unidentified Man, c 1900s. Santa Monica History Museum Collection

Text, porch roof: Dr. Maya Angelou quote from her book, “Letter to My Daughter” (2008) used with permission of Caged Bird Legacy, LLC

Text, house roof: April Banks, 2020

(Image, bottom left) Burning of a shotgun house on Belmar Place, July 1, 1953. Courtesy of Santa Monica Public Library Image Archives. Donated to the Library from City Collections.

This sculpture and a series of historical interpretive panels are stationed along the path around the perimeter of Historic Belmar Park. Viewers are welcome to explore the path in any order. Belmar History + Art is a project of the City of Santa Monica, commissioned through its Percent for Art Program, and made possible by Santa Monica Cultural Affairs and the City of Santa Monica's Public Works Department. To learn more about the artwork and the community

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

engagement that shaped the design, visit: santamonica.gov/arts/belmar

Erected by City of Santa Monica. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1953.

Location. 34° 0.622′ N, 118° 29.297′ W. Marker is in Santa Monica, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Ocean Park. It can be reached from 4th Street south of Civic Center Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1804 4th St, Santa Monica CA 90401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to Historic Belmar Park (within shouting distance of this marker); A Neighborhood Erased (within shouting distance of this marker); “No, No, No Jim Crow” (within shouting distance of this marker); Learning in Black and White (within shouting distance of this marker); Not on My Beach (within shouting distance of this marker); Black Women Empowered (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Spiritual Home (about 300 feet away); Environmental Justice (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Monica.

More about this marker. It is part of Belmar History + Art, a commemoration and celebration

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 27, 2025

2. A Resurrection in Four Stanzas Marker

of the African American neighborhoods of South Santa Monica and their contributions to the city's history and cultural heritage. Belmar History + Art includes sculptural artwork (such as this one), an educational program, website, and interpretive signage installed around the perimeter of Belmont Park. Note: The project web address has been changed to www.santamonica.gov/belmar-history-art

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 45 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.