Los Angeles, CA (March 14, 2022) — Painting began Friday on a 289 foot long by 30 foot high mural, the largest mural installation in 40 years, facing San Fernando Road at Roxford Street celebrating the community of Sylmar. Commissioned by Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, this mural is designed by Sylmar Muralist Erica Friend, leading a team of renowned local artists and managed by public art nonprofit 11:11.
“The mural “A Valley in Time” in Sylmar transforms a highly visible space from eyesore and blight to a celebrated art piece that captures the uniqueness of Sylmar from the eyes of local muralist, Erica Friend,” said Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. “I’m proud to be breaking new ground, securing a women led team to design and deliver the largest, record breaking mural in the San Fernando Valley.”
“11:11 Projects is thrilled to be the project lead and managers of this monumental wall. As a Sylmar resident myself, I’m so happy to be part of the effort to beautify and revitalize our community with some of the most talented SFV Valley muralists,” said Addy Gonzalez Renteria, Co-ED 11:11 Projects. “This project is woman led and powered with the support of Councilwoman Rodriguez and lead artist Erica Friend and our hope is that this beautiful mural brings pride to our neighborhoods”
The mural will depict the agricultural past of Sylmar as well as local landmarks such as the cascades-the terminus of the Los Angeles aqueduct system, a hiking trail, a hang glider to represent The Sylmar Hang Gliding Association and silhouetted central figures that pay homage to Sylmar’s equestrian community. The three point perspective of the mural honors its past with its agricultural fields on the left, and its present, with the paved palm tree-lined street as the viewer looks into the mountain range on the right.
This mural, titled A Valley in Time, was designed and will be painted by local Sylmar artist Erica Friend, leading a team of 6 artists. 11:11 Projects and lead artist have brought together some of the most talented and experienced San Fernando Valley muralists to help in the execution of the mural, including Levi Ponce, Juan Pablo Reyes (JP Murals), Javier Lopez (Versus), Ray Valencia (MuteOne) Rah Azul and Desiree Sanchez (Desiboo Creations).
Offering color and a sense of pride to the community, A Valley In Time will be located on the rear wall of local business, Three Hands Corp., who has been experiencing endless graffiti. Hoping to deter future vandalism and brighten up the San Fernando Road corridor, the mural shows the sun shining bright onto the mountain range and the phases of the moon, which symbolically represent the balance of night & day, which also are displayed on left and right ends of the mural. Across cultures, and in many Latin American countries, the veneration of these two celestial bodies honor the cycles of time. Part of the mural also pays homage to the Tataviam tribe of which this land originally belonged to with pictographs and a brush hut. Pulling inspiration from the local Wildlife Learning Center, Zeus the owl makes and appearance along with the notorious parrots one will find flying over Sylmar.
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Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez represents the 7th Council District in the Northeast San Fernando Valley which include the neighborhoods of Sylmar, Mission Hills, Pacoima, Lake View Terrace, Sunland, Tujunga, North Hills, Shadow Hills, and La Tuna Canyon.
11:11 A Creative Collective (dba 11:11 Projects) is a woman-led art and culture non profit organization that develops and executes integrated and accessible public art, arts programming and experiential installations with a mission to build a network of cultural oases by equipping artists with the tools to create socially-minded and community-uniting public art projects. www.1111projects.art