Winner of the Pacific Beach Town Council’s “Community in Quarantine” art and “quarantee” contest was Charlie Nieto (@charlie.nieto), creator of the HAZMAT surfer. Nieto is a Mission Bay High graduate starting his first year at SDSU.
“Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity,” Nieto said. “I’m so stoked to see my art on T-shirts that will help improve our PB.”
“Nieto’s design is radical and fun,” said Regina Sinsky-Crosby, Pacific Beach Town Council board member. “You must own it. It’s the kind of shirt design someone can see from a block away and know that’s PB. A HAZMAT suit with board shorts over the top?! It’s what PB is all about during social distancing: Staying safe but still having fun.”
Runner-up is Victor Garcia (@MonoCrew) who submitted “Quarentimes,” a newspaper that features distinct scenes of PB under quarantine. “I am very happy for this opportunity to contribute my art to the community,” Garcia said. “You can count on me.”
“Victor’s design really moved the town council board members,” Sinsky-Crosby said. “It’s the quieter, more subtle side of social distancing. It speaks to unsung heroes. My mail carrier was moved by Victor’s design. I just bought him one as a gift.”
The “quarantees” are available for purchase for the next 12 days. All proceeds go directly back to the Pacific Beach community. This funding will be essential as the community addresses neighborhood needs during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Quarantees are available in several styles and colors, sized for men, women, and children. Sweatshirts, hoodies, tees, tanks, and baseball shirts are available. To order Neito’s Quarantine Surfer, visit bonfire.com/pacific-beach-community-in-quarantine. For Garcia’s Quarantimes, visit bonfire.com/quarantine-times-pacific-beach.
Pacific Beach Town Council recognized all the artists who participated with heartfelt and remarkable entries. Look for their designs on Facebook and Instagram: Phoebe Puerner @phoobones, EJ Tynan, Jane Ricouard (San Diego French American School), Brianna Phares Jackson, Jamie Mark, Mary Lou Benzel, Amira Azoulay (Pacific Beach Middle), Dear Kelly, Krystal Dyer, Scott Hebeisen, Elyse Hartnett, Cath DeStefano, and Marlee Glasgow.