Stories to Art
Neighborhood Story Connection projects strengthen the sense of belonging by engaging youth artists and community members in the creation of public artworks that illuminate local community culture, history and a vision of the future. Youth and their artist mentors are employed to produce original public art in a variety of mediums including murals on public and private buildings, city utility boxes and lightpoles, park fences, archways and planters, to temporary installations in public spaces.
Our programs create a space where stories and voices are heard and transformed into public art that educates, empowers and enriches Los Angeles.
MacArthur Park
Uplifting Immigrant Voices
The location of our first project. The people in this community continue to inspire the creation of artwork that makes visible the voices of one of Los Angeles’ most vulnerable populations and highlights their contributions to the city. Most recently this work has been part of the Stop the Hate campaign including murals and art activations that promote a message of togetherness.
The sites of the artwork serve as a backdrop for civic gatherings with partners including neighborhood safety and wellness initiatives, park clean-ups and celebrations of the diverse cultures that reside in this community.
Partners
CARECEN, Levitt LA, Korean Youth and Community Center, Homies Unidos, Los Angeles City Council District 1, MacArthur Park Recreation Center and Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Expo Park
Promoting Sustainability
For several years, our art teams have engaged the community in an exploration of cultural approaches to addressing climate change through an artistic education process culminating in murals that promote sustainability. In addition to civic learning, this is a tangible way to add arts programming to the vibrant Expo Center offerings while also deepening the connection with USC, its students and the local community. Murals have been displayed on the buildings, planters and fences surrounding this historic building in Exposition Park.
Partners
Expo Center and USC Good Neighbors Program, Office of Community and Local Government Partnerships and Architecture and Advocacy.
Willowbrook
Safe Passages
Our art team supports the Willowbrook Safe Passage Project, an initiative led by parents working to ensure safety for their children as they walk to and from school. This project engages youth and community in creating art along the pathways that promotes community safety, economic revitalization, resilience and healing in the Willowbrook community.
These activities further the sense of identity for the community through artwork that represents the unique stories and experiences of residents through placekeeping murals and youth employment training in printing arts. The efforts culminate at the Willowbrook Art Hop each August, organized by Willowbrook Inclusion Network.
Partners
Willowbrook Inclusion Network (WIN), USC Landscape Justice Initiative and Arts in Action Program, County of Los Angeles Departments of Parks and Recreation, Youth Development and Public Health and staff at Carver and Mona Parks.
