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All the United States California Encinitas Surfing Madonna

Surfing Madonna

What began as an illegal art installation has become a symbol for unity, ocean awareness, and coastline preservation.

Encinitas, California

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jondi letnap
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Surfing Madonna.   jondi letnap / Atlas Obscura User
Surfing Madonna.   jondi letnap / Atlas Obscura User
Surfing Madonna.   jondi letnap / Atlas Obscura User
Surfing Madonna.   jondi letnap / Atlas Obscura User
Surfing Madonna.   jondi letnap / Atlas Obscura User
Surfing Madonna.   jondi letnap / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Surfing Madonna   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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About

On April 22, 2011 (Good Friday/Earth Day), Mark Patterson and Bob Nichols, two longtime friends, impersonated construction workers and installed an unsanctioned work of art beneath a bridge near the entrance to Moonlight Beach, the local surf spot. Patterson created the 10-foot-by-10-foot mosaic to bring awareness to ocean life and coastline preservation.

Unfortunately, the Surfing Madonna was deemed illegal graffiti because of its unauthorized installation and was thus slated for removal. Patterson came forward as the artist behind the work and was fined $500 and ordered to pay the $6,000 removal fee, though he was allowed to keep the piece.

But public outcry and local support led officials to decide to reinstall the mosaic. It was relocated across the street from its original spot at Leucadia Pizzeria, where the proud Madonna still hangs ten today.

Since its original installation, subsequent removal, and re-installation, the Surfing Madonna now stands as a proud symbol of the community and raises annual awareness for various ocean-related causes. The Surfing Madonna Foundation, working as a 501c3 non-profit, has donated annually in excess of $120,000 and initiated surfing programs for kids with disabilities, wounded veteran surf camps, ocean mammal rescue equipment for local lifeguards, floating wheelchairs, and many other ocean-focused initiatives.

Related Tags

Surfing Art Mosaics Outsider Art Graffiti

Know Before You Go

Grab a burrito from Filiberto's, sip some suds, hit Moonlight beach for some beach volleyball and check out the Surfing Madonna and all that she surfs for!

Community Contributors

Added By

jondi letnap

Edited By

NicoleMcCulloch, Collector of Experiences, blimpcaptain

  • NicoleMcCulloch
  • Collector of Experiences
  • blimpcaptain

Published

February 6, 2019

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  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfing_Madonna
Surfing Madonna
315 S Coast Hwy 101
Encinitas, California
United States
33.048565, -117.293858
Visit Website
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Encinitas

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