Inside the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach, a remarkable nonprofit is redefining how art, community, and civic engagement come together. Founded by brothers Bernie and Ed Massey, Portraits of Hope isn’t just about painting public spaces—it’s about transforming lives, amplifying youth voices, and giving style a social conscience.
The story began in 1995, when Ed, an artist and author, began reading his children’s book Milton to kids in hospitals, offering moments of escape through story and imagination. Meanwhile, Bernie was developing civic education programs that encouraged students to engage with real-world dilemmas, helping them understand the decisions adults face in leadership roles.
Their separate paths—Ed’s storytelling and Bernie’s civic outreach—intersected in a way neither expected. The brothers had their “aha” moment when they spotted a massive tower on the border of Beverly Hills and Century City—faded and clearly in need of a fresh coat of paint. They learned that its panels had been painted on the ground before being installed. The concept was simple: if artwork could be created on flat, accessible surfaces and then installed, it meant anyone—children, individuals with disabilities, even those confined to hospital beds—could take part in large-scale public art projects.
That insight sparked a mission and Portraits of Hope was born.
While Ed and Bernie Massey are the public faces of Portraits of Hope, the organization’s heart can be traced to their mother. As a young woman in Mexico City, she worked with the visually impaired before government support existed. “She raised us with a strong social conscience,” Bernie said. “Not from a political standpoint, but ‘Hey, look, this is right, this is wrong. This is the world.’”
That legacy lives in every brushstroke. Portraits of Hope develops one-of-a-kind projects that blend the creation of dynamic public art works with creative therapy for hospitalized children and civic education for students of all ages. These students explore pressing social issues, then write, speak, and create artwork around the causes they care about most. In doing so, they develop not just visual literacy, but also skills in public speaking and critical thinking. Their reward at the end of the education session is getting to participate in the painting of a current Portraits of Hope project.
Beyond the classroom, that hands-on spirit continues at Portraits of Hope’s headquarters in the South Bay Galleria. There, volunteer groups regularly come together on weekends to paint vibrant 10-by-10-foot panels that are later installed in senior centers, transitional housing, and social service organizations. Each burst of color is a reminder that someone, somewhere, cares. “Hopefully when you walk out of there,” said Bernie, “You say, ‘That just made my weekend a little bit better.’”
That spirit of care and connection—expressed through every vivid burst of color—comes through not just in the mission, but in the artwork itself. Portraits of Hope is instantly recognizable for its signature style: thick black outlines filled with radiant, bold colors. The vibrancy is unmistakable. But what truly sets the work apart isn’t just how it looks—it's who gets to create it.
To ensure everyone can participate, the Massey brothers developed—and in some cases patented—a range of adaptive painting tools. As Bernie explained, their approach to developing creative tools is to ask, “What is it that these kids would need to be able to feel like just another kid?” Shoe brushes allow individuals to paint with their feet. Telescoping brushes—some up to seven feet long—let children in wheelchairs or hospital beds reach canvases. Textured paint helps the visually impaired participants feel where to paint.
There are even fruit wrapped mouth brushes for those who can’t use their hands or feet. Old baseball bats donated by a former professional baseball player have been retrofitted into paint brushes to add a playful twist. What’s striking is how often children choose these tools out of curiosity, not necessity—wanting to try the “fun brushes” for themselves. That spirit of joy, spontaneity, and belonging is entirely by design.
Over the decades, Portraits of Hope has done many high-profile projects from the sky to the sea, wrapping a blimp, an airplane, NASCAR race cars, and a WWII tugboat, as well as designing thousands of spheres for a floating exhibit at MacArthur Park. They’ve brought color to New York City taxis and transformed civic landmarks across the country. One especially beloved project in the South Bay was the “Summer of Color”, when 156 lifeguard towers along 31 miles of Los Angeles County coastline were transformed from their traditional blue into the vibrant signature style of Portraits of Hope.
Redondo Beach residents played a key role in the lifeguard tower project, with many parents and students from local schools volunteering their time, creativity, and heart. That same spirit will likely shine again as Portraits of Hope prepares for its most ambitious project yet: a floating and illuminated art installation in Washington D.C.’s iconic Reflecting Pool, in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Never before has any artwork been permitted in the Reflecting Pool—until now.
With support from the Department of the Interior and National Park Service, this unprecedented artwork will involve 20,000 children from across all 50 states and U.S. territories recommended by their Congress members and senators. The exhibition’s design style is inspired by the monuments surrounding the Reflecting Pool, as well as the next generation. “The panels are shaped like floating tubes and cubes,” explained Bernie. “Just like Washington and Lincoln were the foundational blocks or the pillars of the country, these kids are going to be the next foundational blocks.” The exhibit will be on display for 30 days starting in mid-September 2026—a glowing celebration of youth, unity, and creative possibility.
Still, for Portraits of Hope, the end of a project is never truly the end. Once the installation comes down, its impact continues. Panels are donated and even auctioned at fundraisers—extending the spirit of hope long past the installation’s end date.
Portraits of Hope proves that style isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about access. It’s about voice. About participation. About painting a future where everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background, leaves their mark.
Visit portraitsofhope.org to learn more.
Just like Washington and Lincoln were the foundational blocks or the pillars of the country, these kids are going to be the next foundational blocks.