We are proud to announce that "Earth Mother," a mural designed by acclaimed local artists and siblings Ernesto and Sandra de la Loza, has been selected. The mural will be on the outside wall of our new Planned Parenthood Pasadena San Gabriel Valley (PPPSGV) health center in Highland Park!
PPPSGV is incredibly honored to have Ernesto and Sandra De La Loza display their beautiful artwork at our health center. The Highland Park community has a rich tradition of mural art that deeply connects to its proud culture and history. Rapid gentrification has pushed out many long-term residents, which has resulted in the erasure of historic murals that connected the Highland Park Latinx community to its past. "Earth Mother" will be de la Loza's first mural in Highland Park, a neighborhood that was once the epicenter of the artistic Chicano movement that De La Loza himself helped popularize.
Following an open call for submissions and a community-input phase that received nearly 4,000 votes, Ernesto and Sandra de la Loza's beautiful artwork was chosen by a committee of respected artists, activists, and community members. These nine individuals with close ties in the Highland Park community included our fantastic partners at Avenue 50 Studio, our Highland Park Health Center Manager Lisa, and one of our amazing high school Peer Advocates, Melania. When discussing why they selected this mural for our beautiful new health center, a few of our committee members said it best:
"Murals are an intrinsic part of the history of Los Angeles, and they have helped define who we are in our city. Murals are tools of education and empowerment. Ernesto de la Loza, a pioneer of the 1970s Mural Movement in Los Angeles, continuously works with the younger generation of muralists. Thus a mural by de la Loza in Highland Park will serve as a liaison across generations and a reminder of who we are." -Isabel Rojas-Williams, former Executive Director at the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles
"Selecting Ernesto and Sandra de la Loza's mural design truly centers the community of Highland Park in this project. In choosing this mural, I feel that we are honoring Highland Park's rich culture and traditions and planting our own roots, which are firmly grounded in service to the community. It is also a spectacular piece of art that evokes the love, compassion, and intention that guides PPPSGV's care for our patients."- Johanna Clark, PPPSGV employee and NELA resident
PPPSGV is proud to soon contribute and become a part of the rich mural tradition in the newest neighborhood we call home. We will continue to update you on the process and hope to have an unveiling later this year. Thank you for your continued support and for helping us serve our community both as a health care provider and devoted member of the Highland Park neighborhood.