By Edward Henderson
On Thursday, February 25th Berry Pollard of the Urban Collaborative Project hosted a meeting at its headquarters on Federal Blvd to discuss the Encanto/Southeast San Diego Art Initiative. Community members, artists and county representatives were present for the conversation surrounding locations and strategies to install public art in an area that needs it.
The Urban Collective focuses on public safety, health, neighborhood art and civic engagement.
“I thought the makeup of the group was perfect. A lot of diversity, creativity and people that are anxious to do something in their community,” Pollard said. “We’re going to have some great looking art done locally and that people would fund.”
Community member Nadia Contreras was present at the meeting and spoke out about her view on why public art is important.
“It’s not easy to beautify your neighborhood. That’s why art is a social change and a justice movement,” Contreras said. “The feedback from the people who are in these four corners causes a change and you’re proud to be where you’re from. Art is important for the soul in general.”
Artist Alyssa ‘Infinite’ Bradford shared her perspective on how a strategic model would look to alleviate specific issues with art in problem areas of Encanto and Southeast. Her art focuses on beautifying street signs.
“Certain areas have issues specific to that area like sex trafficking and police violence. If we take notes of these locations and make a map, we can target certain issues to combat it though different art mediums,” Bradford said.
Pollard charged the room with the action item of taking photographs of public and private areas they felt art could be installed in the area. The next step in the process would be to get permission from the owners for private locations, input from local community and creating funding for the projects. Pollard plans to have follow up meetings to keep the conversation going well into the future.
“I feel better about where I live when it looks better. I feel better about my community when there is color, cultural representation and all different types of art,” Pollard said. “Tonight surpassed my expectations. With the amount and variety of people who showed up tells me this is long overdue. We’re going to make some changes.”
Join the Encanto/SESD Art Initiative Facebook page and post photos of where you believe art could add to the beautification of the area.
