A roster of special guests received ceramic art pieces from well-known local artist Peter Shire as part of recent festivities to mark the 35th anniversary of El Centro Del Pueblo, a non-profit agency that provides a variety of social service programs for families and youths in the Echo Park district northwest of Downtown Los Angeles.
Shire is a long-time supporter of the organization, and he created the ceramic pieces at his studio on Echo Park Avenue, offering a piece of the neighborhood to dignitaries at the July 24 event at El Centro Del Pueblo's main facility at 1157 Lemoyne Street. Hundreds of others guests enjoyed food and drinks, tours of the facility, and some laughs courtesy of the Culture Clash comedy troupe.
Shire struck a note of humor of his own, putting a double edge on his comments when he presented 13TH District Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric Garcetti with one of the ceramic pieces. Shire said that his art studio will always be available to host a car wash should Garcetti ever find himself in need of help with fundraising.
The good-natured ribbing of the local politician cut both ways because Shire is known for hosting car washes to help pay for funerals for neighborhood kids who have fallen to street violence. There's sometimes a gang connection to such incidents — and some folks in the neighborhood just make that presumption in other cases. The reality and the false assumptions often leave some folks in the neighborhood upset with Shire, claiming that the car washes encourage the local gang scene.
Shire says life isn't that simple, although he's quick to add that he views the events as a simple and significant way for members of the community to acknowledge losses.
Indeed, Shire didn't aim for Garcetti with his remarks about the car washes. He intended the message for some folks in the audience who have complained about the occasional events.
Credit the car-wash critics who got Shire's point for coming out to celebrate the big day for El Centro Del Pueblo — which takes on many challenges of city life, including gang culture. Credit Shire for taking the opportunity to put the subject on the table for the crowd. And also credit El Centro executive director Sandra Figueroa for creating a place where both sides of the Echo Park Car Wash Divide could share a lovely evening despite their differences.
Jerry Sullivan is editor of the L.A. Garment & Citizen.
Photo from L.A. Garment & Citizen
Leave a comment