A Wall of Black Pride Dedicated

The Scene “Black Seeds,” the first mural to be completed under SPARC’s 1990-91 “Neighborhood Pride: Great Walls Unlimited” mural program, was dedicated Saturday at Leslie N. Shaw Park, on Jefferson Boulevard near Arlington Avenue.

Painted by Eddie Orr, David Mosley, William T. Stubbs, Norman Maxwell and Michael McKenzie, and conceived 10 years ago by neighborhood activist Gus Harris, “Black Seeds” pays tribute to African-American achievers in science, politics, sports and the arts. The mural was backed by the Jefferson Park Improvement Project lead by local ministers and civic leaders, and it takes the shape of a tree made up of the struggling forms of black ancestors.

Meanwhile, SPARC has selected New York-based artist Christina Schlesinger, who recently finished a show of paintings at La Brea Avenue’s Jan Baum Gallery, to paint a mural on the north wall of the Israel Levin Senior Adult Center, at 201 Ocean Front Walk in Venice. Called “Chagall Comes to Venice Beach,” the work will incorporate several images from Russian-Jewish painter Marc Chagall.

Happening: Several local museums will observe the 14th annual International Museum Day on Saturday, May 18 by offering free admission. Participants include the Long Beach Museum of Art, Newport Harbor Art Museum and the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art. The day was established by the Paris-based International Council of Museums to honor the contributions of museums all over the world to the global community.

“Art Is for Everyone II,” billed as the nation’s largest auction of works by African American artists, will be held at the downtown Tower Restaurant (in the Transamerica Center at 1150 S. Olive St .) on May 19 from 4-8 p.m.

The event is a benefit for the Museum of African American Art, and featured artists will include Elizabeth Catlett, Varnette Honeywood, Artis Lane and Charles White.

The work is currently being previewed at the museum daily through May 16, from noon-5 p.m. Tickets to the auction are $100. Information: (213) 294-7071.

And in the galleries . . . Noted artist Fritz Scholder will be at Beverly Hills’ Louis Newman Galleries today from noon-3:30 p.m. to sign copies of his new book, “Afternoon Nap,” published by Nazraeli Press, Munich. Several of his works will also be on view. Information: (213) 278-6311. . . . Artist Joyce Lightbody will do a vocal performance of her songs at West Hollywood’s Rosamund Felsen Gallery tonight at 7. Tickets are $7. Reservations: (213) 652-9172. . . . The Incline Theatre Group’s production of “Art Who?”, two one-act plays focusing on artists and the gallery scene, continues at Santa Monica’s Ruth Bachofner Gallery Wednesday through Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12. Information: (213) 458-8007.

Etc. Entries must be received by Saturday for the Los Angeles Center for Photographic Studies annual members’ exhibition. The show, which will be held at USC’s Helen Lindhurst Fine Arts Gallery June 20-July 20, will be juried by Robert Sobieszek, curator of photography at the L.A. County Museum of Art. All photographic processes including mixed-media are eligible. There is no application fee, but all applicants must either be members of LACPS or join at the time of application. Information: (213) 482-3566.