The LA Times reported on September 1 that seven Black artists would be the starting point for the sculptures and outdoor installations that embody Destination Crenshaw. They include Kehinde Wiley, Alison Saar, Artis Lane, Brenna Youngblood, Maren Hassinger, Charles Dickson and Melvin Edwards.
“… rather than displace Black culture, it aims to make it a permanent, visible part of the neighborhood’s fabric. The project is creating commissions for local Black artists and aims to hire at least 70% of its employees from the community. The architecture firm Perkins+Will is leading the design and construction. The project is using art and culture not only to elevate the community but to promote empathy and understanding and to celebrate the legacy of Black contributions in the city and throughout the U.S.”
According to the Destination Crenshaw site: When completed, Destination Crenshaw will be the place to experience the most dynamic expression of Black American culture in the United States. A 1.3-mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard will be transformed from an area that has long deserved economic investment and strategic urban planning, into a thriving commercial corridor linked by architecturally stunning community spaces and pocket parks, hundreds of newly planted trees, and over 100 commissioned works of art.
