In Western films, television, literature, and art, the individual is often portrayed as the hero of the American West. In reality, communities have thrived as the heart and soul of the region for thousands of years. Countless Western communities, made up of individuals brought together through shared experiences, reflect the diversity of the individuals who comprise them.
From the earliest Native communities cultivating crops together to congregations worshipping together, from citizens providing services for new immigrants to women creating businesses together, communities unite us and remind us that, even as individuals, we are not alone.
For our fifth annual Student Visual Arts Exhibition, we asked the students of Southern California to create works of art that reflected, explained, and defined their ideas of community. The art pieces that comprise Visions of Community, submitted to the Autry in early March of 2020, illustrate a snapshot of the way students viewed community before the Covid-19 pandemic struck Los Angeles.
Absent in this exhibition are depictions of healthcare workers, first responders, social distancing, masks, Zoom classrooms, or empty grocery shelves. What we have instead is a time capsule of what community meant to students before our lives changed forever. As you explore the gallery, we invite you to ponder how your vision of community may have changed over the past year and a half.
A Day in Highland Park
Maxwell, Grade 7
My vision of a community was of normal everyday places and normal everyday people. I drew a normal day in my neighborhood of Highland Park with people going to the cinema, supermarket, and out doing their everyday activities. When I drew this piece, I was thinking of the best part of my community, and not the bad part. I wanted to show that no matter how bad a community is there can still be that one street, on some days, where it is peaceful and nice. Now, these days I can barely see because of school, but on weekends our neighborhood, regardless of people being robbed, is quite peaceful.
Community means what normal people do and where they do it. My painting helps people who are not from our community know what it’s like. Highland Park is filled with amazing places and amazing people.
What I See
Michelle, Grade 7
My artwork shows people loving themselves for who they are, showing them that they are not alone, and that it’s okay to be different. This is what I’ve seen in my community. I chose to make different sections because I felt like this would show that anything could happen, anywhere, and it could be great. The community that means the most to me is the one that I live in—Highland Park. I hope that you will learn that your community is special and amazing if you just look for it. It is not an everyday thing to realize that your community is a really great thing to have or know that you have.
Don’t Gentrify, Unify
Erendira, Grade 7
There is no community without unity. For me, community means to say “hi” to a neighbor walking her dog, walking past kids playing soccer, or skateboarding to the corner store with my brother. That is what community means to me. With gentrification, the working class are getting kicked out of their own homes. This affects the way people interact. Imagine getting kicked out of your own home because the rent is too high and getting kicked out of a community that you are already familiar with. In many communities, there are people who are just trying to make a living. Many of them have families.
I chose to represent this community to show how beautiful it is. This is the community that I envision. For me community means to say hola to a neighbor walking her dog, walking past kids playing soccer, and getting an ice cream from the man walking on the sidewalk shouting “La Nieve, La Nieve.” That is the community that we need. Gentrification affects the way people interact because their culture is not preserved. No matter what class or what color, we are all human beings and should not be gentrified.
Stronger Together
Dhamar, Grade 10
When people interact in communities, they are stronger mentally, emotionally, and physically. In a community, everyone holds each other up, as is shown at the left of my painting, where a woman is holding the ladder for a man who is painting a mural. Communities also provide a sense of belonging. In the center of my artwork, there are multiple people embracing each other. A community embraces all its members regardless of differences. Communities are also what make the world a better place. To the right of my artwork, a girl and a boy hold up the world while holding hands. The power of being united can allow communities to hold up the world. Finally, a vision that I have for the communities of the world is that there is diversity. Communities are made up of so many different people who come from very different backgrounds and share different ideas. I hope that all communities accept diversity.
My painting represents many different communities. Starting at the left, there is an Asian man painting a mural. This represents my involvement in art communities. In the background, there is a famous street and mountain from Guatemala, the skyscraping city of Los Angeles, and the Indigenous temples of Mexico. These all represent my cultures, which in a way are communities as well. Below the background scenes, there is a woman holding the flag of California. In the American West, California has some of the most diverse communities. Below the flag, there is a group of people, of all ages, embracing each other. One teenager has the words “Gen-Z Power” imprinted on his shirt. This represents my community with my friends who are of the Gen-Z generation. On the right, there is a lady playing the trumpet and another dancing. These as well, represent my Latino/a culture. In the bottom center, there is a man playing a guitar and a woman holding a basket over her head. Below them is a girl. All of them are wearing traditional Latino clothes. These people loosely resemble my parents and me.
My family is my own small community in my home. I truly believe that communities have the power to unite the world. Around the globe, people are separated by differences. Yet, in communities, differences melt away and people accept and get to know each other. I hope that my artwork can represent all the virtues and values of communities.
Eternal Motherland
Anabeh, Grade 12
The Glendale community is created by various ethnicities, and each ethnicity has its own individual history, culture, and heritage. One of the largest parts of the Glendale community includes the Armenian culture. For years Armenians have shared their culture and history with other ethnicities, hoping to teach and also learn from one another. It is always significant to understand not only your own culture and heritage but also others.
I present to you a painting full of symbolic references that make Armenia the great country that it is. No matter what community you belong to, it is always significant to learn about other ethnicities within your community because by learning one’s culture we create a more dynamic and loving community with each other, and that is exactly what our world needs right now. We all need to learn to respect one another and have an open mind towards learning about the heritage of different ethnicities than our own.
One of the most meaningful parts of the Armenian culture revolves around dance; therefore, my main focus was to paint a woman in traditional dance uniform but also to showcase both male and female dance uniforms from head to toe, which are painted on a vase. The male dancer is playing one of the most famous Armenian music instruments called a “duduk,” which is a different type of flute. I have also painted two Armenian maps on top of each other below the “forget-me-not flower,” which is significant to the Armenian Genocide. On the bottom of the painting you can see one of the most famous and symbolic statues built in Armenia. This piece is called We Are Our Mountains, and it is admired by anyone that visits Stepanakert, the old capital city of Armenia, which is the location that it was built in. Another important detail that I have painted is the Ararat & Masis mountains that were taken away from Armenians during the Genocide, and no painting would truly represent the Armenian culture if there were no pomegranates involved, which are the most traditional and symbolic fruit in the Armenian culture. I truly hope that even this small piece can educate different ethnicities on the Armenian culture and create a more affectionate community not only in Glendale but also everywhere else. We all need to learn to love each other no matter our race, culture, ethnicity, and background, to love each other despite our differences, and to love each other in a supportive community.
Angels Beyond the Court
Eli, Grade 8
My artwork shows the sports community we have in the great city of Los Angeles. My piece consists of our city’s name originating from the Spanish language and doodles of the varieties of sports in Los Angeles. Sports is a big part of our city and it has made a big impact on the people of Los Angeles. My title, Angels Beyond the Court, describes how Los Angeles is so much more beyond sports because of the impact we have made. I think my artwork shows the real meaning of community and the meaning of the sports community is Los Angeles.
Another community that means a lot to me is the Jewish community because of how my community has taught me to become an advocate for myself and to make a big impact on the world.
Tarzana
Kyle, Grade 7
My artwork is a silhouette of a coyote on a hill with a moon in the background. This represents the Tarzana community. A big part of the Tarzana community is the animals that live there. For example, coyotes live around the streets and the wilderness in Tarzana. This picture shows how big the coyotes are to Tarzana.
Somos Trabajadores
Giselle, Grade 10
I photographed the beautiful parts of my community, from the mariachis who are always at Mariachi Plaza to my friends and other members of the community. Communities like Boyle Heights are facing issues like gentrification, and I think it is important to capture what this community means to people. It is typical to see mariachis at the Mariachi Plaza, and the colorful walls that decorate parts of the community that represent the culture that people share through art. Boyle Heights is a community made up of about 90% Latinx folks. And this has positively impacted my life; I have been able to grow with the knowledge and appreciation of my culture. I am proud of this part of my identity, and I want other girls and people like me to stand proud of their culture because it is a beautiful experience to be part of communities like Boyle Heights.
Somos La Cultura
Giselle, Grade 10
Boyle Heights is known as a cultural a hub in Los Ángeles. The culture is hereditary and beautiful, diverse and explicit. In our community, many of us continue to practice traditions that were passed down from generations before us. For example, many events in our community include danzantes Aztecas and rituals that connect people directly to their ancestry. Traditions like these are what keep our ancestors alive.
It is important to pay tribute to those who came before us. There is more to just a pretty head piece and some feathers. These traditions mean something to people. The community that means the most to me is the community that my family has built within our household. I chose to feature communities that are mistaken for minorities, when they should be considered powerful and capable.
Mamba Cultura
Paola, Grade 12
This image tells of the cultural pride and resiliency of my community, Boyle Heights. In the face of losing such an iconic and influential figure, our community united as one to honor the values of legacy and accomplishment. The vibrant colors of the Kobe Bryant mural stand alongside a family sporting their Laker pride, demonstrating our prevailing values of perseverance and progress. It is fundamental for a community to move forward with a vision of greatness, and this picture shows how community members are making efforts to instill this ambition in our youth. Just like Bryant’s “mamba mentality” encompasses traits of dedication, excellence, and improvement, the children in the image will continue to carry on these powerful traits.
From the family in the photo to everyone outside of the frame, so many people carry Bryant’s “mamba mentality” of greatness, strength, and ambition. Growing up in Boyle Heights, I saw how the paletero man pushed himself to manage a successful business and how my parents would sacrifice so much for my accomplishments. Our work ethic is a testament to our ability to overcome socioeconomic barriers, and I am beyond proud to be a Latina from Boyle Heights.
Mujercita Poderosa
Maria, Grade 12
I photographed the beautiful parts of my community, from the mariachis who are always at Mariachi Plaza to my friends and other members of the community. Communities like Boyle Heights are facing issues like gentrification, and I think it is important to capture what this community means to people. It is typical to see mariachis at the Mariachi Plaza, and the colorful walls that decorate parts of the community that represent the culture that people share through art. Boyle Heights is a community made up of about 90% Latinx folks. And this has positively impacted my life; I have been able to grow with the knowledge and appreciation of my culture. I am proud of this part of my identity, and I want other girls and people like me to stand proud of their culture because it is a beautiful experience to be part of communities like Boyle Heights.
I want girls of all communities to feel empowered and happy to be from the communities they are living in. We are living in times that scream for the necessity of empowering each other. As women of color we are seen as less. Rocio is one of my closest friends, and she has taught me to not be afraid of standing up for myself and speaking up when I have to. We live in the same community, which is special because we understand the struggles that we as young women of color go through.
Mujercita Poderosa
Maria, Grade 12
I photographed the beautiful parts of my community, from the mariachis who are always at Mariachi Plaza to my friends and other members of the community. Communities like Boyle Heights are facing issues like gentrification, and I think it is important to capture what this community means to people. It is typical to see mariachis at the Mariachi Plaza, and the colorful walls that decorate parts of the community that represent the culture that people share through art. Boyle Heights is a community made up of about 90% Latinx folks. And this has positively impacted my life; I have been able to grow with the knowledge and appreciation of my culture. I am proud of this part of my identity, and I want other girls and people like me to stand proud of their culture because it is a beautiful experience to be part of communities like Boyle Heights.
I want girls of all communities to feel empowered and happy to be from the communities they are living in. We are living in times that scream for the necessity of empowering each other. As women of color we are seen as less. Rocio is one of my closest friends, and she has taught me to not be afraid of standing up for myself and speaking up when I have to. We live in the same community, which is special because we understand the struggles that we as young women of color go through.
Mujercita Poderosa
Maria, Grade 12
I photographed the beautiful parts of my community, from the mariachis who are always at Mariachi Plaza to my friends and other members of the community. Communities like Boyle Heights are facing issues like gentrification, and I think it is important to capture what this community means to people. It is typical to see mariachis at the Mariachi Plaza, and the colorful walls that decorate parts of the community that represent the culture that people share through art. Boyle Heights is a community made up of about 90% Latinx folks. And this has positively impacted my life; I have been able to grow with the knowledge and appreciation of my culture. I am proud of this part of my identity, and I want other girls and people like me to stand proud of their culture because it is a beautiful experience to be part of communities like Boyle Heights.
I want girls of all communities to feel empowered and happy to be from the communities they are living in. We are living in times that scream for the necessity of empowering each other. As women of color we are seen as less. Rocio is one of my closest friends, and she has taught me to not be afraid of standing up for myself and speaking up when I have to. We live in the same community, which is special because we understand the struggles that we as young women of color go through.
Mujercita Poderosa
Maria, Grade 12
I photographed the beautiful parts of my community, from the mariachis who are always at Mariachi Plaza to my friends and other members of the community. Communities like Boyle Heights are facing issues like gentrification, and I think it is important to capture what this community means to people. It is typical to see mariachis at the Mariachi Plaza, and the colorful walls that decorate parts of the community that represent the culture that people share through art. Boyle Heights is a community made up of about 90% Latinx folks. And this has positively impacted my life; I have been able to grow with the knowledge and appreciation of my culture. I am proud of this part of my identity, and I want other girls and people like me to stand proud of their culture because it is a beautiful experience to be part of communities like Boyle Heights.
I want girls of all communities to feel empowered and happy to be from the communities they are living in. We are living in times that scream for the necessity of empowering each other. As women of color we are seen as less. Rocio is one of my closest friends, and she has taught me to not be afraid of standing up for myself and speaking up when I have to. We live in the same community, which is special because we understand the struggles that we as young women of color go through.
Mujercita Poderosa
Maria, Grade 12
I photographed the beautiful parts of my community, from the mariachis who are always at Mariachi Plaza to my friends and other members of the community. Communities like Boyle Heights are facing issues like gentrification, and I think it is important to capture what this community means to people. It is typical to see mariachis at the Mariachi Plaza, and the colorful walls that decorate parts of the community that represent the culture that people share through art. Boyle Heights is a community made up of about 90% Latinx folks. And this has positively impacted my life; I have been able to grow with the knowledge and appreciation of my culture. I am proud of this part of my identity, and I want other girls and people like me to stand proud of their culture because it is a beautiful experience to be part of communities like Boyle Heights.
I want girls of all communities to feel empowered and happy to be from the communities they are living in. We are living in times that scream for the necessity of empowering each other. As women of color we are seen as less. Rocio is one of my closest friends, and she has taught me to not be afraid of standing up for myself and speaking up when I have to. We live in the same community, which is special because we understand the struggles that we as young women of color go through.
The Stroll into Town
Rebeca, Grade 11
I wanted to demonstrate the years that have passed over time, how much the western community has changed, and how they shaped us to be who we are right now. Without the old western days we wouldn’t grow to become who we are as a whole community. With their influences, we were able to grow into something different and better. Our old western community is special and we should appreciate and care for it because they are the reason why we are building the way we are.
From the 1800s and until now we have changed our way of living, little by little, because of how much we grow. Without the people from the past, we wouldn’t change over time into who we are today without their influence. We have to remember the people who lived through those days to help us improve to be a stronger community in the future.
sk8er boy
Angel, Grade 11
I am part of a skateboard community. I grew so close to these people, and skateboarding was how we bonded. Skateboarding is huge in the City of Los Angeles. We all come from different backgrounds but skateboarding makes us all similar. I fell in love with skateboarding when I was in 6th grade because with skateboarding, the whole world is your field, court, arena. There are no limits. Not only did it keep me out of trouble, but skateboarding made me gain new friends and share funny moments.
Scarlet
Mariela, Grade 8
This photograph represents a bench where my friends and I meet every single time at lunch. Community is a certain place that brings people together. A red bench is a place where we meet, talk to each other, and express ourselves. This art expresses a close and nonjudgmental community. My friend’s community means a lot to me as well as my soccer community, which is a place where we can support each other.
Big Brother Sergio
Estefania, Grade 11
A community is a group of people, may it be big or small. In a community there is love for one another and everyone is willing to pitch in. My big brother is a whole community all rolled into one, and since he was born here he is also part of the wonderful west community in LA. He has the skills of a leader and is able to make on-the-spot decisions. The words on the art are what describe him, loyal and brave. His cross stands for his religion and how he has faith just like every community. His bowl of pozole stands for how all this food made with love will always be at home waiting for him.
He lives here in the city of Maywood. He has his family, his room, and he gets to sleep as long as he wants and eat the food he loves (my mother’s cooking), and he pushes through any wall he needs to. It’s not like I’m his only family. He has brethren in the Coast Guard, brothers and sisters in battle. His community involves trust because they all have each other’s back. If one falls down, they’ll help them up. If one can’t anymore, they’ll push them along so they pass their limits. His community involves trust and fairness just like any other community.
All for Love
Daniela, Grade 11
The lgbtq+ community is my community since I am bisexual. I wanted to represent my community by making my artwork about them. The woman in my artwork represents the lgbtq+ community as a whole. I made her have a neutral expression because the community is balanced out. There are some cruel people in the community who degrade other members with things like “you’re not gay enough” and “you can’t be bisexual, you have to pick one,” etc. But there’s the other side that extremely loving and supporting so it balances out to neutrality. I drew rainbow hearts around and hearts on her face to represent the love my community has. I put a heart in the middle of her forehead to represent that love keeps the community together. I kept her in a pink color pallet to once again represent the love the lgbtq+ community has, because after all, the community is all about love. I feel at home with the lgbtq+ community so I took this as an opportunity to represent my community.
I feel safe with other members of the community. We have our own inside jokes, and it’s wonderful to be around people who know exactly what you’ve gone through. I would feel lost without the community because who else would stand by me and represent queer in the world? Communities are very personal, and almost everyone has a different set. I love the fact that everyone gets to represent themselves and love a little part of themselves.
The Woman
Makayla, Grade 6
The people I chose to highlight in my artwork is the African American community because this is the community that I see in my everyday life. I also chose the African American community because I am a part of this community, and thus wanted to represent part of myself through my art. Through my artworks, I aim to shed light on how diverse the African American community is. For example, I am also part of other communities such as the gaming community and the art community, and both mean a lot to me.
I hope that the audience that views my art will learn to view African Americans in a different light rather than the images that are portrayed only through things such as television and music. The reason is that I often see that most African American characters in shows are portrayed as rowdy and sometimes uneducated. I hope to change this opinion with my artwork by creating a woman that looks similar to people in our society today but with a sure look of being educated. I think that reflecting on the prompt that centers on our own communities is the most important to me, because I began to really reflect on my artwork and what I was going to draw to represent what I had thought of.
Dog Love
Gavin, Grade 6
Dog Love shows examples of Visions of Community in many ways. A few examples of this are the following. First, when you walk your dog, you get to meet other dog owners and people who want to pet your dog, which builds community by people getting to know each other. When dogs engage with other dogs and people, it makes them more loving and friendly. Second, when you bring your dog to a dog park where there are other dog owners, you become part of a bigger dog-owner community. Lastly, when you give a dog a home, it brings your family together. As my painting shows, the dog is grateful to have been adopted by the owner behind him, who may have been alone. Now, the dog and the dog owner not only have each other, but they are part of a larger dog-owning community.
The dog and dog owner in my painting represent a larger community of dogs and dog owners. I chose to represent this community because when dogs and dog owners meet other dog lovers, it will create a chain of an entire community. The communities that mean the most to me are Calabasas and Agoura Hills because both cities have lots of dog parks and homes with dogs that will bring the community together. I hope the audience will learn that even things that you wouldn’t expect, like getting a dog, could make you feel part of a larger community. This year’s theme is important to me because it represents ways for communities come together.
The Hamilton Town Square
Maya, Grade 6
It relates to this year’s theme because it is a community of the gold rush. It’s an old Western town. I wanted the picture to look old and homey. My drawing has people. It also has old shops. What communities mean the most is everyone working together.
I hope the audience will learn that it is supposed to be an old-timey town. It is important because I want everyone to feel the painting and theme I did.
Lives in Color
Mikaila, Grade 12
Community is an ambiguous term. What makes a community? What qualifies, and who decides? I identify with my larger communities, those concerned with where I live, the color of my skin, my spiritual beliefs, my family. . . . But communities are also a matter of interests and human connections predicated not on blood or geography, but on choice. For me, that choice pointed me again and again to art. More than that, it pointed me to a community of diverse female artists in LA, all of whom were bringing color to the world. This community is literal, but it is also metaphorical; a non-physical bond even between strangers who identify through their art and their shared experiences as women. This community of women artists establishes a narrative in the American West that has been forming since the 1840s and, I’d posit, before the settlement into the West began in earnest. It brings new voices into the fold, with each woman raising up the voice of another and using art to spread their messages. I too found a voice in art and a means to support others. This community I have been fortunate enough to join is about vibrancy, life, and evoking the senses. In the chaotic world of today, the American West is not exempt from political, social, and economic pressures, but my community alleviates some of these stresses by reintroducing creativity, and with it, humanity. The West, and especially LA, is a blending of cultures and beliefs, and art is critical in distinguishing them; collaboration and cohabitation is wonderful, but neither should detract from the unique individual. My community is just one embodiment of art at work in this way.
I chose to represent a community of women and artists. These women, embodied in art for the works they create, bring color to the world. Though this world is narrowed down to a building in LA, it symbolizes the larger American West and the power of art to revitalize a space. Communities of artists, though literal, are also spiritual, connecting artists through a mutual love for their creative pursuits without a word needing to be exchanged. My hope is that through work like this exhibition, which brings attention to the diverse communities of the American West, the West can become more inclusive, emotive, and colorful.
Dulled Purpose
Ian, Grade 10
As each individual searches to find a community to fit into, this work reflects those struggling with mental health. Begging to know the answer to if she will find a community to fit into, the subject’s expression tells us a story. Though one may feel out of place or alone, there is an underlying community connecting us all. We are tied together by the strings of our desire to find community and worthwhileness. This piece depicts one girl’s internal battle against the storm inside her mind.
Not everyone is able to find a community to belong to. For some this simple matter is an internal war, as shown by the woman’s expression. Since community ties us together, nobody should feel left out of it. Those waging the war to improve mental health are an important part of our community which brings us together.
LGBTQ+ Love
Macy, Grade 6
My artwork relates to the theme because I drew the pride flags. To me, this relates to the theme because it shows how to be yourself. I chose this to represent that everyone is different and great in their own way. This also relates to me as I’m bi, and many others are. This shows that I am part of this community.
I chose this to represent my community of being different than others and being part of the LGBTQ+. I hope that the audience will learn that everyone has a different way of loving, looking, and feeling things. Some communities that mean the most to me are the LGBTQ+, my family and friends, and the wildlife community. This theme is important to me because I can tell people how people can be who they want, love who they want, and look how they want.
Neighborly Neighbors
Ella, Grade 6
I have never moved in my entire life. My childhood was on one street, and I love it there. When I was younger, my neighbors and I always went on the street and rode on our roller blades, rode bikes, and played soccer. But then one of our neighbors moved, and it just wasn’t the same anymore.
I hope that the audience will learn that no matter what, you will always have a bond, deep down. I chose this artwork because I have many amazing memories from my childhood that are on this street. That street made many friendships and even communities. The rainbow vortex symbolizes that it may lead to the past, present, or future, but no matter what, you will always have a bond with the memories of your life and the people stay as a community. This year’s theme is the perfect category for my painting. It shows and explains almost my life too.
Food for Fun
Lucy, Grade 10
Our world is shared through food. Throughout Los Angeles, we go to Chinatown, Little Italy, Little Vietnam, and more. If we can’t get our fix of world cuisines, food trucks pop up throughout the city to service our every epicurean whim. Food unites us and brings everyone a little more joy and shared experience!
Sparking Community
Kate, Grade 10
In times of disaster like our seasonal wildfires, California stuck together and remained a community in difficult times and helped those in our community. Two years ago, in November of 2018, the Woolsey fire destroyed almost 100,000 acres of land in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. My school, Taft Charter High School, was a Red Cross evacuation site. I will never forget the day I came to school—cars lined the roads within the school with evacuees sleeping in their cars and people driving in to donate supplies. People were doing everything they could possibly do to help those in our community. This frightening experience truly taught me what community was all about—people coming together in a time of need to help one another.
Build Longer Tables Not Higher Walls
Caprice, Grade 12
When I saw that this year’s theme was about community, I instantly wanted to paint a piece that showed off the diversity of the West. It was definitely a culture shock coming to California from Missouri, but I think it is fascinating that even though we all come from different backgrounds and experiences, we can be united as one community. I also wanted to bring up the conversation of homelessness, because it is such a huge problem that we tend to look away from since it is an uncomfortable topic for most of us. Relationships are an essential part of life, but it is hard for me to paint a piece and pretend like we are one big happy community. We cannot keep ignoring the fact that a huge part of our community is hurting and needs our help more than ever. My hope is that when people see my piece it touches their heart and leads them to extend their hand to those in need.
As a native of the Midwest, my view of community may be from a different perspective than others. The first thing I noticed when moving to California was the incredible diversity in the communities here. Something that hit me hard was the unbelievable amount of homeless people. Since moving here in 2018, the homeless population has grown by over 8,000 people, amounting to a total of nearly 60,000 living on the streets. Of those, approximately 11,000 live on Skid Row today. I wanted to paint this picture in hopes of opening eyes and putting in perspective what is wrong with the big picture overall. There are members of our community living on the streets without shoes, food, and so much more. While on the other side, the amount of money being spent could easily feed and clothe so many. What an amazing opportunity it would be to find a common ground to make all lives better. It is overwhelming, and maybe we feel like we can’t help all of them and helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person. I hope my piece makes people start thinking and talking about the problem, and hopefully that will lead to positive solutions and changes in our community.
Not Your Typical Persian Princess
Neeka, Grade 11
As the daughter of Iranian immigrants who raised me in a very culture-centric manner, my first thought when I heard about the theme of community was to illustrate the complexity and nuance of the Iranian-American community. I have lived in Los Angeles for most of my life, so I understand the Iranian-American community of the American West quite well. I’ve grown up around this community and met a variety of people, some of which shape the stereotypes and some of which break them. Having a network of people who come from similar backgrounds as me has always been comforting for me, especially knowing how tightly knit that network is despite being so large. I hope that in accompaniment of my writing, my artwork will convey this idea that there is always diversity within a community, no matter its size or background.
Encountering an Iranian-American in Los Angeles is anything but rare. And yet, outsiders reduce the entire community to Beverly Hills, rhinoplasties, and trashy images created by reality television like Shahs of Sunset. We talk too loud, party too much, and wear too much perfume. But we are so much more than this superficial idea that others have of us. Iranian-Americans are not just gold jewelry and plastic boobs. We are our food, our music, our aquiline noses, our culture as a whole, and most importantly, our history. There is so much diversity within our community, from our migration patterns to religious background to ethnicity. As a member of the Iranian-American community, I see this diversity and complexity firsthand, and true Iranian culture is such a significant element of my life. Our people, as well as other minority groups, are the foundation, fabric, and future of the American West.
Protecting Our Community & Our Future
Evan, Grade 6
This artwork, Protecting Our Community & Our Future, is an example of our western community, particularly of coastal settlements. It features a young girl holding two clear plastic bags of trash while she is walking on a sunset beach. It may not look like it, but I believe it resonates strongly with the topic. It represents the communal efforts of the protection of our beaches, as it’s a practice that takes large communities and brings them together for one very important specific cause.
The ocean has been in our past, present, and future. It has been a very important facet of many lives. It has held many of the world’s wonders and has provided a place for the community to share memorable moments with their friends and family. It is important that we protect and respect it. I hope the audience will reflect on the important role we play in protecting its beauty. The ocean community has always meant the most to me. My parents have taken me to it since I was a baby, and we are very fortunate to have it. The theme this year is important to me in that I want the ocean and beaches to be there for the future.
A Welcoming Community
Gianna, Grade 7
My art piece relates to the theme Visions of Community in different ways. My painting shows that I am a part of a community that accepts every culture or belief, and that everyone is worthy of rights. I am part of a community that celebrates the beauty of Southern California and mourns the bad times. My community is where everyone has a right to make their own choices and control what they do with their own body. My community is where people are allowed to be whoever they want and love whoever they want, and where we fight to end discrimination.>
Communities that accept people for who they are, what their cultures are, and who they love mean the most to me. This year’s theme, Visions of Community, helps embrace the importance of not judging communities and citizens by their culture or choices. >
A Welcoming Community
Gianna, Grade 7
My art piece relates to the theme Visions of Community in different ways. My painting shows that I am a part of a community that accepts every culture or belief, and that everyone is worthy of rights. I am part of a community that celebrates the beauty of Southern California and mourns the bad times. My community is where everyone has a right to make their own choices and control what they do with their own body. My community is where people are allowed to be whoever they want and love whoever they want, and where we fight to end discrimination.>
Communities that accept people for who they are, what their cultures are, and who they love mean the most to me. This year’s theme, Visions of Community, helps embrace the importance of not judging communities and citizens by their culture or choices. >
Castro's King
Noah, Grade 8
My work relates to this year’s theme, Visions of Community, because it represents the LGBTQ+ community. The queer community is such a large group of people who are able to build each other up. They are able to relate to each other and create a safe space for anyone to be their true, authentic self. This community is so important to so many people in the country who are in a situation that may not be ideal. Having a group of people like this to support you, in a time where not many others do, is so amazing and makes you feel like you belong.
I chose to represent the LGBTQ+ community in my artwork because I am very active in this particular community being a queer transgender individual. I hope that my artwork translates to the audience that although heartache, grief, and horror are prevalent in my community, there is still light, optimism, and happiness. This community is one of the most important things in my life. The people in it have shown me that I have a place in the world and that I am beautiful. There is so much that is important to me about this year’s theme. I am a strong believer in the fact that finding a community that feels like a home to you can have an incredibly positive effect on your life.
The Autry Museum of the American West acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). We recognize that the Autry Museum and its campuses are located on the traditional lands of Gabrielino/Tongva peoples and we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027-1462
Located northeast of downtown, across from the Los Angeles Zoo.
Map and Directions
Free parking for Autry visitors.
MUSEUM AND STORE HOURS
Tuesday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
DINING
Food Trucks are available on select days, contact us for details at 323.495.4252.
The cafe is temporarily closed until further notice.