Beverly Hills resident Joe Simon created the sculpture “Enduring,” and he submitted a photo as part of Beverly Hills’ community art project. (photo by Joe Simon/courtesy of the city of Beverly Hills)

The city of Beverly Hills Community Services Department launched the Beverly Hills Beautiful -project in April as a way to stay connected to and engaged with the community while providing a creative outlet for residents as they navigate through difficult times brought upon the coronavirus pandemic.

The Beverly Hills Beautiful community project was created for all ages and for everyone to get involved, and each week the Community Services Department will announce two themes — “We Create Community” and “Art is Life.”

City staff is asking people to participate and share their creative images, notes or videos on their social media, using #beverlyhillsbeautiful for the city to share their artworks with the community. Creations can also be emailed to beverlyhillsbeautiful@beverlyhills.org.

“Since the program began, so many beautiful creations have been shared based on the project descriptions, but we have received submissions independent of the projects, and recognize that creative expression is a healthy, meaningful way to navigate challenging times,” said Jenny Rogers, community services director.

At the end of the six-week project, the city will create an online gallery at beverlyhills.org/beverlyhillsbeautiful. City staff will also select two of the most inspiring entries from the program and provide selected artists with a gift certificate to a Beverly Hills restaurant.

Joe Simon, a resident of Beverly Hills, created a sculpture and submitted a photo for the art program.

“I am sharing my work with our community with the intention that art and creativity are alive today, and it can inspire hope and wonder through beauty in the world,” Simon said. “My sculpture, ‘Enduring,’ speaks to how [we] as human beings all must endure adversity and through that we emerge stronger and enhanced by that experience.”

For information, visit beverlyhills.org/departments/communityservices/beverlyhillsbeautiful/.