This is a special campaign for a unique year. It’s our 10 year anniversary for the ARTS Center in National City!
Join us as we look back on some of the public art we have created in National City during our time here.
A Ave Mosaic
Featured Artist, Rob Tobin (@artistrobtobin)
Over the years, ARTS has gained an expertise working at the intersection of public art and municipal public works. The A Ave Mosaic Wall – funded by Prop 84 Stormwater grant won by the City of National City – is a true masterpiece of community design, created by dozens of youth and hundreds of local volunteers in National City, with Rob Tobin as lead artist. Built using a mix of mediums – paint, ceramic mosaics, sand, and stones collected from Border Field State Park – this 300-foot mosaic wall truly represents National City and its residents in all its natural beauty. Local businesses and organizations donated pieces significant to the history of National City.
H&M Goodies Auction House
Featured Artists: Hugo Fierro (@hoyote) & Omar Quintero (@furvo)
The corner of 8th Ave & D in National City is a special place for community projects in the history of ARTS over the last decade. When the City of National City took possession of the old H&M Goodies auction house property, ARTS was invited to activate the exterior of the building as a massive, open-air gallery of artwork by youth and artists. Hoyote’s colorful paintings made a big splash on the upper facade, along with a collection of works from more than 30 young artists from ARTS programs. Some years later, in 2021, the development team from the new Parco Commons mixed-use space on the same corner invited ARTS back to create an art wall reflective of the city’s culture and community – design ideas from local youth inspired of Furvo, who created the mural and sculpture installed last year.
Paradise Creek Gathering Place
Featured Artist: Vicki Leon
A decade ago ARTS partnered with the Pomegranate Center to embrace the Pomegranate Method, an approach to community-based design focused on creating space with residents that meet local needs. Between 2017-18, high schoolers in our Community ARTS programs teamed up with the artist Vicki Leon to create a gathering place near Paradise Creek, in Kimball Park (National City). The work includes 14 totems topped with multi-colored sculptural elements, as well as sidewalk murals, painted seated areas, and a little library. The pieces were installed on both sides of the creek bed and on the bridge connecting the two sides. Designing and building a gathering place like this revitalizes a neglected part of park, bringing cultural aspects that enable residents of all ages a space for respite and appreciating the native environment of Paradise Creek.
Market Makeovers
Featured Artists, Selina Calvo (@littleselin) & Enrique Lugo (@Chikle79)
Creative placemaking happens when artists, neighborhood residents, and local partners collaborate around an artistic project that advances community well-being. The work of ARTS teaching artists and youth in our “Market Makeover” series exemplifies this approach. Our work at 5 corner markets (so far) in National City shows how storefront improvements and revitalization efforts can create welcoming, healthy hubs for community activity. Teaching artists work with youth and local market owners to beautify and renovate their businesses. Through these projects, we engaged more than 100 youth to make a positive transformation at these community sites.
