SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Some artists and community members are speaking out about a mural commissioned in Little Saigon. On Monday, they brought their concerns to Sacramento’s Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Commission during public comment.
Those who spoke before the board brought forth a number of different issues, including comments that there was a lack of representation in the artist selection process.
The 500-foot public mural, commissioned by WellSpace Health, was organized by Wide Open Walls. It was aimed at being a celebration of Lunar New Year and the Vietnamese celebration of Tet, but some community members and artists feel otherwise.
“Tet is the most important holiday for us, because it is a testament to the resilience of my people and it embodies the spirit of hope and unity in honoring our ancestors, and we do that through traditional dances, meals, rituals and much more. None of which were represented in any way in the new mural in Little Saigon,” said Diana Huynh, a Vietnamese American from Sacramento.
Dozens of people came to Sacramento City Hall to raise their voices during public comment at the arts commission meeting Monday afternoon, including Filipinx artist Jamie P. Cardenas who ABC10 spoke with last week.
“Our cultures are worth so much more than money, these are our identities, our people, our ancestors,” Cardenas said. “This is deeper than wide open walls, but making sure the cultures here in Sacramento are represented with integrity and respect.”
Last week, Cardenas expressed concern with the depiction of a Kalinga warrior on the wall. It has since been repainted to what Cardenas said is an image of Kalinga elder, Apo Whang-Od.
In a statement to ABC10, Wide Open Walls’ Board said the warrior was removed in response to feedback.
“This artist even has contacted me trying to ask for corrections, but the process is backwards. He should have done his due diligence beforehand, and the mistakes wouldn’t have been made,” Cardenas said.
Wide Open Walls’ Board also said, “From the beginning, we have welcomed neighborhood feedback and continue to do so now. Some of the art was inspired by people who approached the artists.”
“We look forward to unveiling the mural when it’s complete and having a conversation about what it represents,” they added.
Cardenas and others at the meeting are hoping to see change moving forward.
“I think there should be an audit of these organizations, all Sacramento art organizations across the board,” Cardenas said. “I think engaging with the more culturally-informed communities, engaging with the actual communities they are representing.”
Wide Open Walls’ Board said they do not currently have a completion date for the mural.
As for the arts commission, they plan to discuss the topic further at their next meeting.
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