On The Map: Artists Maps from Opposite Ends of the 110 Freeway, an Ancient Route Reconnected

SAN PEDRO, Calif. - Sept. 26, 2016 - PRLog -- After months of creative collaboration, Angels Gate Cultural Center will unveil a much anticipated event with Avenue 50 Studio and The Arroyo Arts Collective: On The Map: Artists Maps from Opposite Ends of the 110 Freeway, an Ancient Route Reconnected. The exhibition will take place in two places simultaneously; Avenue 50 Studio located in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles and Angels Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro. Curators from the three participating organizations created an open call for maps created by artists that live and work at opposite ends of the 110 Freeway in Los Angeles. The twenty selected proposals will be hosted by the organization at the other end of the highway from the artists; the artwork itself tracing the road that was once traveled by native Tongva, the Spanish wagon, the stagecoach route and early trains.

As curator WS Milner states,  "Artists from thirty miles apart show in thought-provoking maps that in these tumultuous times we are not only challenged to find and maintain connection, but must also celebrate what makes us each unique." Thematic similarities between the two exhibitions include the space of memory, colloquial understandings of place, migration of the animals, and the history of the Tongva trail itself. Uniquely mapping the complex diversity of family narratives, heritage and culture becomes the catalyst for intersecting conversations about commonness versus divides.

"I find the beauty of this joint exhibition lies in the fact that we are merging art and cartography with history.  Our artists have creatively presented unique and thoughtful "maps" that deepen our understanding of Los Angeles and those who have come before," writes director and founder of Avenue 50 Studio Kathleen Gallegos.

For nearly 32 years Angels Gate Cultural Center has been providing space for artists to work and to engage community through arts education, exhibitions of contemporary art and cultural events.  Founded in 2000, Avenue 50 Studio is an arts presentation organization grounded in Chicana/o and Latina/o culture, visual arts, and the Northeast Los Angeles area. The Arroyo Arts Collective is a grassroots community-based organization of artists, poets, musicians, performers, craftspersons, and supporters of the creative community of North East Los Angeles. Gwen Freeman says, "The mission of the Collective is to develop and present creative events, expanding the audience for cultural expression. We seek to bring neighbors together in the twin spirits of aesthetic exploration and joyful camaraderie."

   Avenue 50 Studio is open Tue-Thur and Sat-Sun from 10-4 pm.  We are free and open to the public.  Angels Gate Cultural Center is open to the public seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm.  http://www.angelsgateart.org