This year LA Commons collaborated with California Creative Corps Artist Kiara Winston to plan a mural project inspired by her ideas of seeds & growth. She brought the project to Leimert Park, a key African American Cultural Hub in South Central LA. First, she visited a key festival in the neighborhood - the Day of the Ancestors, Festival of the Mask at the Leimert Park Art Walk on June 30 & was inspired by this key African American Cultural node. Over the summer she held planning meetings with the LA Commons team. Kiara’s project focus became “What would you like to see grow in your life?” For elders she added “What would you like to see grow in the community?”
Kiara and the LA Commons team hosted three weeks of interactive arts experiences about growth and planting seeds. During the sessions, Kiara and Leimert Park Photographer Momodu Mansarey interviewed different weeks - young adults, children and elders - collecting words, photos and videos from the interactions.
In culmination of the project, KAOS Network & LA Commons hosted a mural opening & photo display in front of the historic Vision Theater August 25 at the August Leimert Park Art Walk. The mural was beautiful & featured one of the young adults interviewed, whose father had passed away this year. All day people stopped by, enjoyed their photographs and appreciated the quotes. It was very moving & energizing. Local Cultural treasures SHINE MUWASI drum group opened with a blessing & hosted the artists on stage. LA Commons & Youth team held a free arts activity for the public. KAOS Network presented local hip hop live music event to the site. KAOS staff expressed their interest in following up with a live artist talk about the project later in the year.
The mural, photography exhibit and art activity added greatly to the day! We appreciate the time, care and expertise of Kiara Winston in bringing this project to life and to the local community, artists, youth and organizers who contributed to the success. Thank you Kiara Winston, Long Beach Arts Council and California Creative Corps. This project brought joy and was a true gift for all involved!
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