OXNARD — Oxnard Housing Authority Resident Services Department from La Colonia area is proud to announce the dedication ceremony of the “Familia y Comunidad” mural. This momentous event will take place at the parking lot behind the Oxnard Housing Authority Resident Services Offices, located at 1500 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard, on Saturday, September 23rd, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Ceremony will include presentation by Danza Mexica – Cuahtemoc with Vanessa Valadez.
The “Familia y Comunidad” mural marks a new beginning for the Oxnard Housing Authority Youth Art Program and Mural Projects… this new mural is the first in a series of murals which the community hopes to paint within the coming years. Murals inspired by the community for the community. The Oxnard Housing Authority Youth Art Program and Mural Project 2017 is a unique collaboration between community, local artist and youth from Oxnard Housing Authority Resident Services Program- La Colonia Village.
The youth in the six-week program engaged in art workshops which included art skills development, mural history, cultural identity discussions, mural development, and field-trips. This small group has come a long way. The mural was their final community project.
The mural features cultural and community representations developed and created by the youth in the program which was coordinated and mentored by Oxnard artist, Ana Carrillo, who was born and raised in the Colonia area of Oxnard and has deep ties with the community. Artist from S.T.A.C.K. (Save the Arts Culture Kids) which included: Elibet Valencia (Agatha Munoz Photography), Nick Franco, Zuleima Jimenez, Yaneli Delgado, Elisa Torres, Carmen Barba (and kids), Ana Mena, Flavio Carranza, Genina Vanessa Sanchez, Juan Martinez, and Dayane Zuniga let workshops, mentored the youth, and worked with the youth on the mural . Other artists from the community included “Monika”, local rising artists and Marcos, from Barrio Productions, was on hand daily for documentation of the mural project.
Funding for the “Familia y Comunidad” mural was made possible thanks to the support of the California Arts Council, National Arts and Disability Center at University of California Los Angeles, Oxnard Police Department, and Oxnard Housing Authority Resident Services Program. Generous support was also provided by Our Town Our Children. A Social Awareness Art Project., DJC Services and Installation, Nestle Waters (Arrowhead), Aaron Brothers-Ventura, and Tacos Aranda.
In addition, the local lowrider car club community assisted in organizing a mini-carshow to allow an opportunity for the youth to practice their sketching skills and the club members dedicated time to mentor and share their own personal journeys with the youth in the program.
For more information about the youth art program and Oxnard Housing Authority Resident Services please contact, Rose Banuelos, Resident Services Coordinator at (805) 385-7574 or rose.banuelos@oxnard.org.