Historic Glenmary Stairs on Figueroa
On Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 2:30 pm artists Pola Lopez and Heriberto Luna and their team of 15 youth artists will unveil the new mural “Haramoknga – Place Where People Gather” on the site of the Historic Glen-Mary Archway. The mural is the culmination of a 15-month process to collect stories and images from local residents, organizations and historic sites. The site of the GlenMary Archway has been a place for people to gather since the times of the early Tongva people. The original archway was built around 1903 as a waiting station- the GlenMary-Sycamore Grove stop for the red car of the Pacific Electric Trolley.Today the archway overlooks busy Figueroa Boulevard and is only steps away from the Metro Gold line, the 110 Freeway and the Arroyo. The project is produced by LA Commons, with partners Avenue 50 Studio, Franklin High School, Arroyo Arts Collective, Highland Park Heritage Trust, Milagro Community Garden, the family of Lupe Handy, Future Studios, and the Office of Council Member Ed Reyes. Support provided by: Flourish Foundation, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Office of Council Member Ed Reyes, and the Highland Park Ebell.About the ArtistsPola Lopez is a prominent painter based in Los Angeles, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her work has appeared in many books and publications, and was awarded three purchase awards by the New Mexico Acclaimed Artist Art in Public Places Program, and can be found in permanent collection at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, The State Art Capitol Art Collection, El Museo Cultural, Millicent Rogers Museum, and the Harwood Museum in New Mexico Heriberto Luna is a painter with deep roots in Highland Park. Luna apprenticed on major mural projects with LA’s influential muralist team the East Los Streetscapers and artist Paul Botello as well as with painters Margaret Garcia and Pola Lopez. Luna has exhibited in 20 Museums including: The Santa Monica Museum of Art, The National Mexican Fine art Museum in Illinois and The Museum of History and Art in Ontario, California and his works are part of the art collection at Arizona State University.
About LA CommonsLA Commons helps L.A.’s diverse neighborhoods give voice to their unique stories through community-based arts programs. Created by local emerging artists, these projects express the cultural and historical essence of the communities. With its Trekking LA program, LA Commons introduces visitors from other parts of Los Angeles, as well as tourists from outside the region, to these arts projects, and to the food, music and cultural history of the communities.
Contact:
Karen Mack, Founder/Executive Director
LA Commons
213.705-4457
Watch it being installed on the historic wall: (photos courtesy of Linda Miller)
