The LA vs Hate initiative, designed to celebrate art and community cohesion, revealed a new mural on October 27, to honor the Indigenous and Native American communities of Los Angeles County. The mural, "Antelope Valley Continues to Bloom," can be seen at Piute Middle School in Lancaster, and it uses the poppy bloom to metaphorically depict the life cycles in the Antelope Valley. According to the LA County Commission on Human Relations, this mural is the latest addition to the Summer of Solidarity initiative, which has seen the creation of five murals since May.
The creation of the mural was the result of a collaboration between River Garza, a Los Angeles-based Indigenous interdisciplinary visual artist, Antelope Valley Partners for Health, and the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. The unveiling ceremony included a variety of speakers and performances, demonstrating community engagement and commitment to the project. The event served as a platform for the students of Piute Middle School to join in celebrating their cultural heritage and the diversity of Los Angeles County.
The LA County Commission on Human Relations' Executive Director, Robin Toma, reflected on the impact of the LA vs Hate murals, saying, "LA vs Hate murals incorporate vital values and histories in a beautiful way, sharing stories across ancestries, histories and cultures. Our program is not just about ending systemic discrimination and bias, but also about nurturing coalitions that are inclusive and diverse. I firmly believe that art like this mural can be a significant source of inspiration in such efforts."
LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger referred to the mural as an “encouragement and inspiration.” Additionally, Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians Vice President Mark Villasenor spoke on the significance of supporting local artists. He stated, "As a Native individual in Los Angeles County, finding platforms for art can be challenging. Therefore, backing artists allows us to enhance countless lives."
With design inspirations drawn from Tongva basket weaving patterns, Garza incorporated symbols of hope and perseverance within the mural. The mural portrays the diligence and unity of the community, particularly between service workers and those facing food and housing issues.
The Summer of Solidarity has already unveiled murals that celebrate Jewish, LGBTQ, Latino, and Indigenous communities in Los Angeles. A final mural, paying tribute to the Black community, will be revealed on November 11 at the Willowbrook Senior Center in South LA, alongside replicas of prior murals from the series.
Beyond the aesthetic appreciation, the LA vs Hate initiative encourages residents to use the County's hate reporting system. Residents may report incidents of hate and access free, confidential support by dialing 2-1-1 or submitting a report online at www.LAvsHate.org.
