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Santa Monica Conservancy’s Mosaic program examines the evolution of Santa Monica Airport from Clover Field to the present day in a two-part livestream series.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — On March 17, 1924, a fleet of Douglas World Cruisers lifted off from Clover Field, now Santa Monica Airport (SMO), on the first successful flight around the world. That single takeoff set the stage for a series of aviation firsts rooted in Santa Monica, and it’s the starting point for Final Approach: The Past and Future of Santa Monica Airport.

Part One, titled “Where Legends Took Flight”, premieres September 27 and brings together special guests to trace SMO’s role as a cradle of flight, then later as a base for robust nonprofit, creative, and instructional communities. Host Libby Motika will be joined by Nina Fresco, historian and author of First Around the World; Gregg Chadwick, a founding artist-in-residence at Santa Monica Airport’s Arts Center; and Cheri Cimmarrusti, associate executive director at Angel Flight West.

Beyond the round-the-world flight, the conversation will cover SMO’s distinction as home to the first Women’s Air Derby, nicknamed the “Powder Puff Derby”, in which twenty of the world’s top female aviators participated, including Amelia Earhart and Pancho Barnes. The race captured the nation’s attention, drawing tens of thousands of spectators to Clover Field. The segment will feature historic photographs of the pioneering pilots who once took off from SMO’s runway, offering a rare visual journey through its rich past and spirited present.

The program will then move forward to discuss the significance of the airport complex in modern Santa Monica, including the growth of a vibrant on-site artist colony and the founding of Angel Flight West, where volunteer pilots set out to fly families in need of medical care, regardless of distance.

“Angel Flight West started with a handful of pilots completing 15 missions in 1984. Our network has now grown to over 2,000 pilots, each of whom flies their own plane and covers all costs so families can take these important journeys,” said Cimmarrusti

The episode will also feature a filmed visit to the airport Arts Center and a conversation with Gregg Chadwick.

“I have created my light-filled paintings in a converted hangar at the Santa Monica Airport for the past 22 years. My studio is more than a workspace—it is a daily catalyst where the momentum of flight feeds directly into my explorations of time, history, and fleeting encounters,” said Chadwick

Part Two premieres on November 15, with a special inside look at city planning for the storied airport and the future of its beloved historic resources.

Event Details 

When: September 27 @ 5 pm
Where: Online on ZOOM

Register for free at smc.givecloud.co/airportlegends.

Thank you to our sponsor, BXP! We are able to offer this program for free to our attendees due to their support.

Media Contact:

Melina Castorillo
melina@smconservancy.org.

About Santa Monica Mosaic

Santa Monica Mosaic is a livestream series celebrating our city’s historic cultures and diverse communities. Like a colorful mosaic, the program seeks to convey the fascinating stories, various perspectives, and multiple legacies that have shaped today’s Santa Monica. The 2025 Santa Monica Mosaic series, covering the rich history and brave recovery of Pacific Palisades from the devastating January 2025 fire, was recognized by State Senator Ben Allen. View all three installments on smconservancy.org.

About Santa Monica Conservancy

The Santa Monica Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to celebrating the city’s historic places and cultural heritage. Through walking tours, educational programs, and community events, the Conservancy helps foster deeper connections between residents, visitors, and the stories that shape Santa Monica.

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