Southeast : Diversity Showcased at Cultural Center

Until six years ago, many of Long Beach’s diverse cultures were most often centered among the restaurants and shops of Anaheim Street. Rich in Laotian, Thai, Cambodian, as well as black and Latino culture, the thoroughfare had kept its widely diverse artistic traditions to itself.

But now, thanks to the opening in 1989 of Homeland Neighborhood Cultural Center, Anaheim Street’s diversity has been recognized nationally. The National Recreation and Parks Assn. recently named Homeland the country’s best cultural center of its kind.

Sponsored by the city Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, Homeland is home to dozens of local artists. The center has hosted more than 40 art exhibits produced within blocks of the center, which is located at 1295 Gaviota Ave. in central Long Beach. Many of the center’s exhibitions move on to museums across the state.

“What’s real important for us is that we document and help people to really understand the specifics of different cultures,” Homeland director Dixie Swift said.

The center also hosts weekly writers workshops and poetry readings. Among the works produced by workshop participants is a play entitled “Angie” that opens today at the center.