A Missed Mural

I was impressed by “What the Riots Sparked” (by Christopher Reynolds, April 28) but disappointed that The Times failed to mention the “What Happens to a Dream Deferred?” mural at Venice High School.

I am writing as an artist-coordinator of a long-term project, and as an educator and advocate for the 30-plus youth from five L.A high schools who designed and painted this diptych mural on the west side of the far west building at Venice High School. No amount of apologies will cover up the fact that Mr. Reynolds and the editors at Calendar did not do their homework thoroughly. I am pleased that you gave credit to a recognized artist like Noni Olabisi. I am also pleased that Robbie Conal’s posters were mentioned. But he has not been ignored in media coverage.

The youths who have made an earnest and commendable effort to express their views and your readers missed out by not having a picture of this outstanding mural in this issue. It took more than two years to design and paint and thousands of hours of labor with an average of 30 to 35 students.

It is on the L.A Mural Conservancy list of political murals (for its organized bus tours), and it is one of only two murals in L.A (with Olabisi’s “Freedom Won’t Wait”) that deal with the issue of the ’92 uprising. You can see a good shot of both in Robin Dunitz’s mural book “Painting the Towns.”

In any case, I guess that we, the militant artists and young creators, can wait another 10 years (the next “anniversary” of the ’92 riots?) to be recognized for our dedicated research and self-expression, not to mention hard work.

MARCO ELLIOTT

Venice