By Janice Hayes Kyser
Contributing Writer
LOS ANGELES — A community that creates together, heals together.
That’s the premise of LA Commons, a nonprofit organization that brings youth together to share tough conversations about hate and intolerance and then translates their feelings, ideas and experiences into public works of arts. That art comes to life in many forms including murals, utility box art, posters, banners and stickers designed to illuminate and educate by encouraging diverse groups to celebrate their shared humanity.
“Bringing people together to discover their common concerns and values and celebrate the artistic spirit that lives in each and every one of us is how we begin to heal the hate,” says Karen Mack, LA Commons founder and executive director.
Mack founded LA Commons to engage communities in artistic and cultural expression in telling their unique stories and to serve as a basis for dialogue and interaction. Mack says the organization’s programs are grounded in the philosophy that culture is a valuable community resource and that art is a powerful tool for creating change.
As a community leader, creative soul and Los Angeles native, Mack saw the challenges created by the city’s car culture, diverse neighborhoods and sprawling geography connected by freeways. LA Commons, was her attempt to bring the city together in a way that celebrated culture, diversity and the arts.
And, that’s what the organization has been doing for nearly 25 years. LA Commons is one of a number of Los Angeles County nonprofit organizations awarded funding from the California Department of Social Services to provide support and services to facilitate hate crime prevention programs.
“Social capital is built on trust,” Mack said. “It’s easy to hate if you have a level of mistrust. We’re creating situations for individuals to see the good in themselves and each other.”
Beth Peterson, LA Commons community arts program director, says “Stories for Tacos” is one of the organizations unique programs that brings youth together to share their lived experiences while tasting tacos.
“Hundreds of youths come and share their stories about discrimination, oppression and hate while sharing good food together,” Peterson said. “It’s a wonderful way for youth to relax and share while learning more about themselves and their communities.”
In addition, she says, for many of the youth participants the opportunity to speak honestly in a safe place and have their voices heard is also empowering.
Working with local artists those personal and often poignant stories are transformed into art intended to get people thinking, talking and hopefully acting in ways that promote unity, respect and self-love, explains Stephanie Gordian, a youth mentor at LA Commons, who has literally grown up with the program. Gordian was a student participant before she joined the organization as a member of the staff.
She says the fresh and unvarnished perspectives of young people can teach us all how to be more open and understanding. Whether youth are painting a mural or designing a banner, she says the act of creating shoulder to shoulder is just as powerful as the end product.
“Symbols and images are very powerful and so is the process of creating them,” said Gordian, who’s a graphic artist. “People walk by a mural or a poster and hopefully it gets them wondering, questioning agreeing or disagreeing. Art has the potential to uplift and unite. It’s a powerful pathway to creating change.”
Since 2003, LA Commons has developed over 30 site-specific initiatives throughout Los Angeles County. The organization has engaged more than 2,700 artists and 7,200 youth, touching almost 50,000 community members through a variety of innovative grassroots cultural initiatives that build belonging through the creation of artworks that illuminate community culture and history and envision the future.
Currently, the LA Commons team is working with youth on a mural project in McArthur Park. Previous projects have been conducted throughout the city’s Black and brown communities including Exposition Park and Ted Watkins Park in Watts.
“Our goal is to create colorful, creative, engaging works of art that cause people to interact with them and think and act differently,” Mack said. “The power of our art projects stems from the fact that they are created by the community for the community. It’s not easy, but disseminating the results of the conversations and the energy that is reflected in the art is the way we erode hate.
Peterson agrees.
“The forces of hate are strong and we have to be stronger; constantly vigilant,” she said. “That’s why we’re elevating respect, understanding and problem solving by creating opportunities for dialogue that creates art that fosters change by representing peace and togetherness.”
Janice Hayes Kyser is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers.
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
