PACOIMA MURAL ART - LEVI PONCE - MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Murals in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley continue to make waves and news.

Another terrific article, this one in the Los Angeles Times by Frank Shyong.

                                                                        (photo by Michel Stevens)

Here's an excerpt:

It used to be that the walls of the businesses on Van Nuys Boulevard were battlegrounds. By night, graffiti crews defaced storefronts with swaggering letters in neon green, red and yellow. By day, building owners fought back with pressure washers and a mixture of white and brown.

Then Ponce brought his paintbrush and his powers of persuasion, winning over residents, shop owners and tagging crews alike — and in the process turning the boulevard into a roadside gallery known as Mural Mile.

Read the entire article at:

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-c1-pacoima-mural-20130823-dto,0,5208379.htmlstory

CAROLYN UHRI'S 48 HOURS

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 CHERISHING OUR VALLEY               2013

FORTY EIGHT HOURS

By Carolyn Uhri

4/17/13

Today I realized that it only takes forty-eight hours to make friends with someone.  I’m talking about a good, solid friendship.

It started with our “A Manifesto for Murals” event last night and ended with an opportunity to speak frankly with Councilman Englander in his City Hall office at today’s ArtsDay L.A.

Kent Twitchell, Judy Baca, Levi Ponce, Isabel Rojas-Williams and Felicia Filer…artists, activists, educators and art supporters.  Seeing these names written on paper is pretty powerful…to know that we had pulled together the best of the best was quite an achievement. But seeing them all together in one tiny room upstairs at The Madrid Theatre was absolutely mind blowing.  It was transcendent.

World famous muralist Judy Baca visits with the new Valley video artist and mural painter Levi Ponce. Both painters have childhoods in Pacoima in common.   (Photograph by Phyllis Hansen. Click on images to enlarge them.)

 

The great Kent Twitchell (left), Isabel Rojas-Williams leader of the Los Angeles Mural Conservancy and Judy Baca at The Museum's reception prior to their panel presentations. (Photo by Phyllis Hansen)

Maybe it was the close proximity at our intimate reception, or maybe it was simply the camaraderie in knowing that we were all there for the same thing…to support mural art.  The tone of the talk was uplifting, hopeful, passionate and even a little reverent.  Throw in some wine and healthy fare from Follow Your Heart (our sponsors) and the formula was definitely a winner.  Top it all off with a little jazz from Center Stage Opera and we had them hooked.  It was going to be a very good night.

Center Stage Opera star entertains and thrills guests at the Mural Manifesto reception.

(Photograph by Phyllis Hansen.)

Downstairs, the audience waited anxiously.  Scott Sterling set the mood with his gracious introductions and wit-filled banter.  The panel discussion itself was simply amazing.  Everyone who attended was riveted to what our panelists had to say.  Dr. Jerry became both teacher and moderator and even had the panelists nodding their heads in agreement.  I felt like I was back in college, soaking up all the knowledge.

Jerry Fecht, Ph.D. and immediate past president of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley moderated the Mural Manifesto panel.

After the discussion ended and questions from the audience had been answered, there was no doubt that they wanted more.  The crowds moved in to talk to our panelists, take photos and tidy up the loose ends of the evening

There was only one problem that night.  No one wanted to leave.  The lobby was full, spirits were high and we all walked out knowing we had made new and important friendships.

The next morning, I headed out on the Hollywood Freeway to attend ArtsDay L.A. 2013 at City Hall, sponsored by Arts For L.A. and Danielle Brazell.  I just barely made it into the council chambers on time.  It was standing room only.  I was in awe of the beautiful architecture of this room.  Tom LaBonge (District 4) was his usual jovial self and really got into the spirit of this celebration of the arts.  Councilmen Rosendahl, Huizar, Reyes, Buscaino, Koretz, Krekorian, Zine and Englander all gave wonderful speeches about what the arts mean to them.  This was all recorded by the City and I was able to relive it on TV later that evening (Channel 35).

Roger (Dolin) and I kept bumping into people we had met at the mural event, or others we had met at other functions.  We experienced this wave of friendship…this urge to want to work with these people we had just met and where we ended our short discussions with hugs.  I thought to myself, “How could it get any better than this?”

Roger and I then headed to the media presentation where we worked on specific exercises to help us focus on how to approach our councilman.  After that, we were treated to a lunch upstairs in the Tom Bradley Tower Room on the 26^th floor and a speech from Mayor Villaraigosa.

We headed down to Councilman Englander’s office and were able to speak one on one with him about the issues that concern us.  We shared this time with representatives from the Valley Performing Arts Center and Twisted Gypsy (a drumming group).  Mr. Englander gave us the low-down on the mural ordinance and how difficult it was to get to a final version.  We also talked about the Museum, SFV Arts Council and Valley Arts Alliance and how we could find a permanent location.   There was talk of creating an art based oversight committee which could report to him and he, in turn, would work with us on various projects within his district.  Another friendship forged.

Forty-eight hours to make great friends.  That’s all it takes when it concerns the arts.

MURAL STAR RISES IN THE N.E. VALLEY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2013

Before moderating The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's special panel Mural Manifesto yesterday, I thought it would be a good idea to check out again Levi Ponce's mile of murals in Pacoima. Levi, is a home grown talent. He holds bachelor's degree in art from California State University specializing in animation and a passion for the Valley.

At his own expense, Levi Ponce is creating a mile of murals in Pacoima.

It's well worth all of our time to drive east from where Van Nuys Boulevard heads toward San Fernando Road and Glen Oaks Boulevard, to see Levi's work first hand. It is one thing to see photographs like these, but very much another with the reality of traffic, street vendors and the smell of lunch time tacos in the air.

Levi Ponce at Mural Manifesto event at the historic Madrid Theatre, April 2013. (Photograph by Phyllis Hansen - member of The Museum Board.)  (click to enlarge image)

 Our Lady of the Valley by Levi Ponce 

Cheech Marin

"Born in East Valle"

Mural by Levi Ponce

 Everybody's favorite Frida Khalo mural by Levi Ponce - photo by Jerry Fecht

Pacoima's own actor Danny Trejo - Mural by Levi Ponce.

A 1969 EASTER GREETING FROM GRANDPA

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

     44 years ago, a loving grandpa sent his Easter greeting to the Ford Family on Gager Street in Pacoima California. On April 1st, he wrote:

      "Hi Fellows; this is no April First joke.  I wish you all a pleasant and lively Easter season. May not see you until after Easter. Keep busy. Love Grandpa." 

Grandpa's affectionate postcard now includes his thoughts in the permanent history of the San Fernando Valley.

NUESTRA SENORA DEL RINCON

Close up of the Lady - Pacoima mural at Haley and Rincon Streets - Photo by Gerald Fecht for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - November 2009
The Mural with backgrounds removed.
Because I am fascinated by creative expressions of art and spirituality in public places,graffiti holds a special interest for me. The Museum's Board member, Elizabeth Morin is quick to remind us that there is a big difference between the vandalism of tagging and graffiti art.
In Pacoima, near the corners of Haley Street and Rincon Avenue, I encountered this alley mural. I always feel that something mysterious makes me make the wrong turn and see something like this.
So that you might share the impact of this artistic expression, I have presented the mural as it stands in the alley, as well as focusing on the face of the Virgin and just the mural panel. I took the liberty of calling her Our Lady of the Corner, Nuestra Señora del Rincon.

A great Museum of history and culture is emerging in the San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World.

CHILD'S PRAYER BOOK AT EASTER - PACOIMA 1948

Pray Always - copyright 1936 - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 by Gerald Fecht (click on image to enlarge)

Children in Catholic families, in the 1940s and 50s, were often given miniature prayer books at the time of their First Communion. Jerry Fecht brought this book of prayers and instructions with him from Everett, Washington. He used it during Sunday Masses at Saint Ferdinand's Church in San Fernando, when he was in the 4th grade.
In 1948, Jerry lived with his parents and older sister in a one-car, unfinished garage at 10607 Tamarack Street in Pacoima.
(click on image to enlarge) Religion Committee of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

PACOIMA IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Manfull Dairy Farm - Milk Cap - Gift of Gary Fredburg to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. (click on image to enlarge)

2009 - The Year of Valley History
Putting together the histories of San Fernando Valley suburbs is a never-ending job. Little attention was paid over the years to Pacoima, historically a small working class community at the northern edge of the City of Los Angeles. The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is determined that the histories of the families who have lived and worked in Pacoima over the years will be collected, archived and shared with The Museum's audiences.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley serves the residents and industries of Pacoima.


The San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.