March 2, 2023
Contact:
Brenda Duran
bduran@bos.lacounty.gov
213.974.1746
LA County and Community Organizers to Unveil Massive Mural at Watts Historical Train Station
LA vs Hate and Build Plus Community Marketplace to Present Mural Celebrating Multiculturalism and Unity Amidst Rising Rates of Hate Act
LOS ANGELES – A new 200-foot mural entitled “Unity Under the Sun” will be unveiled at the Watts Historic Train Station, presented by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relation’s initiative LA vs Hate in partnership with nonprofit Build Plus Community Marketplace. The highly visible mural spanning the walls surrounding the train station was created by local artists Showzart and Misteralek after a community engagement process.
The mural unveiling will be celebrated with an event at the Watts Historic Train Station, opening with remarks by Robin Toma, Executive Director of the LA County Commission on Human Relations and Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker of District 15, that will share insight on the history and culture of Watts. The community celebration will also feature performances by African drummer group Inu Oluron and indigenous dance group Danza Mexica, as well as live music by DJ Orator, art and free food.
“Unity Under the Sun” depicts a vast amount of cultural and historical symbols that reflect some of the many peoples, cultures, and movements that have been rooted, nurtured, and grown in Watts, and the surrounding area.
The mural features celebrated members of the Watts community like Simon Rodia, builder of the Watts Towers; Arturo Ybarra, Executive Director of the Watts Century Latino Organization; and Wajeha Bilal, Executive Director, Build Plus Community Marketplace, a celebrated community leader who has dedicated her work to advocating for the people of Watts.
LA Mayor Karen Bass is also depicted in the mural, celebrating her legacy as a community activist in South Central as the founder of Community Coalition. The mural highlights diverse members of the Watts community and reflects back the remarkable accomplishments of a region now led by an all-female County Board of Supervisors.
“Unity Under the Sun” is an art intervention to fight hate, heal and bring communities from different ethnicities and cultures together, as part of the LA vs Hate community-driven approach to empower all residents of Los Angeles County to unite against, report, and resist hate.
WHO:
- Robin Toma, Executive Director of the LA County Commission on Human Relations
- City Councilmember Tim McOsker, Los Angeles City District 15
- Luis Rodríguez, 2014 Los Angeles Poet Laureate
- Loni Cupchoy, Department of Chicano and Latino Studies at Cal State Los Angeles
- Dawn A. Dennis, History Department at Cal State Los Angeles
- Showzart, artist
- Misteralek, artist
WHEN:
Saturday, March 4, 2023, | 12 – 4 PM PT
WHERE:
Watts Historic Train Station | 1686 E 103rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90002