New Mural Helps Beautify Commercial Corridor and Bolster Pride

Local businesses, artists and nonprofit organizations today unveiled and dedicated a prominent, inspiring mural seeking to help turn around an area of the city that has been known for crime, violence and blight. Local business leaders and city officials joined the artists and organizations that helped create the mural in a dedication event over the weekend at the Farmers’ Insurance agencies of Bill Westenberger and Scott Claus building in the 2100 block of North Waterman Avenue. This effort is one visible achievement of the newly formed San Bernardino Business Association—which aims to support local businesses and revitalize the central San Bernardino commercial corridors. These businesses and residents are determined to work together to reverse the chronic cycle of crime and blight and help residents envision a revitalized community that is attractive and united. “We are honored and excited to see our central San Bernardino business corridors becoming more attractive and inspiring,” said Christina Roman, chair of the San Bernardino Business Alliance. “It feels like our relatively new San Bernardino Business Association is starting to bloom.” The mural – which received design input from the City Historic Commission – features prominent elements of San Bernardino’s history depicted in a bright, attractive design. This mural is the second in recent history to be painted in the neighborhood and is part of a concerted approach aimed to improve the visual landscape of the area as well as inspire more pride and involvement among local residents and businesses. “These businesses and artists have done a fantastic job with this beautiful mural,” said Council Member James Mulvilhill. “We all need to work together to transform this city, and this project is an example of that collaboration.” “I am in awe of the beauty of this wonderful piece of art,” said Scott Claus, co-owner of the Farmers’ Insurance Agency and building. “To say I am well rooted in this area is an understatement. I could throw a baseball to the room of the hospital where I was born from here, and I grew up mowing laws around the corner. I am extremely proud to be part of the renewal of this area of the city.” This mural effort is a component of the IPS Byrne crime prevention project which focuses work on a half-mile square central area of the city which, according to San Bernardino police data, is one of the most violent and transient neighborhoods in the city. Using the arts to revitalize communities is a concept known as "creative placemaking,” which encourages communities to imagine about how they can define and create beautiful and safe places that are sources of pride for residents. Cities that have used such murals find that it can help literally change the culture of the community and help encourage community revitalization. An example of creative placemaking was implemented in Newark, New Jersey in 2009 when artists worked with high school students and community members to identify blighted, crime-ridden areas in the city to create designs and erect murals, which provided catalysts for change in those neighborhoods. Many public art proponents and community activists believe murals serve as an important platform for residents and artists to be a voice for communities. Murals revive dilapidated landscapes, increase a sense of ownership and transform neighborhoods plagued by vandalism and prostitution to those that kindle respect and pride according to research done in Toledo, Ohio for the city. “Work throughout the country on creative placemaking initiatives recognizes the powerful influence of the physical environment on our behavior,” said Sandra Espadas IPS regional director. “Such projects have been used to help connect residents, attract businesses, and inspire new trends away from crime and violence. We are excited to be working with our partners from local businesses, the city, University, and nonprofit organizations on this mural and other work to help shift this area from one of blight and high crime to one that is vibrant and secure.” Community partners that contributed to the mural project include Bank of America, which provided stipends for the student artists, and Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire (NHSIE) provided tools and materials for the concept development and painting.