Artists to Unveil Collaborative Mural During ArtNight Pasadena

Artwork by Myisha Arellano and Michelle Glass picturing (from left) Porfiria Guerrero and Ramiro Vega of the Pasadena Community Job Center, and Florence Annang, NAACP Pasadena (Photo – armoryarts.org)

PASADENA – ColoradoBoulevard.net:

The mural is the result of a year-long partnership among Armory Center for the Arts, NAACP Pasadena, and the Pasadena Community Job Center.

By News Desk

On March 10, kicking off ArtNight Pasadena, Artists Myisha Arellano and Michelle Glass will present the first public showing of Interwoven Stories, a “quilted” mural created in collaboration with over 200 Pasadena-area community members over the past year. The mural will be unveiled at Armory Center for the Arts on March 10, 2023, coinciding with Pasadena’s bi-annual ArtNight celebration. The 150-square-foot mural was created during public workshops in partnership with Armory Center for the Arts, NAACP Pasadena, Pasadena Community Job Center, Day One, Rose City High School, Community Arms, and the Hastings Branch Library.

Since December 2022, Arellano and Glass have served as artists in residence at NAACP Pasadena and the Pasadena Community Job Center. Facilitated by the Armory, their residencies were made possible by Artists At Work (AAW), In 2023, Arellano and Glass’ residencies have been supported by a grant from the California Arts Council.

Arellano and Glass developed the Interwoven Stories project after meeting with community partners and listening to their communities’ creative needs and interests. Arellano and Glass guided workshop participants to create individual ‘story’ panels for the mural, which served as monuments to diverse communities within Pasadena.

Over 200 community members learned/shared storytelling and design techniques to create symbols representing their experiences. Through story circles and community events, participants illustrated symbols, words, and images onto 8″ x 8″ cotton squares using natural dyes, fabric markers, prints, paint, and embroidery. The large squares were then “woven” together using faux-embroidery techniques to create a community quilt.

In addition, Myisha and Michelle created three large panels depicting individuals from  Armory Center for the Arts (Heather Hilliard, Lark Crable, Lilia Hernandez), NAACP Pasadena (Florence Annang), and the Pasadena Community Job Center (Porfiria Guerrero and Ramiro Vega).

This installation marks the first public showing of the project.

Edited by Ann Hunnewel