San Bernardino parks department wins grant for artistic projects – Press Enterprise

By Greg Archer | Contributing Columnist

San Bernardino’s rich history stems back to the 19th century, when Spanish missionaries first settled in the region. Some 200 years later, the city is a thriving entity, boasting a population of more than 222,000. Art and culture also factor into the diverse spectrum of the city. So much so that moving into 2024, residents and visitors can expect some colorful surprises from the city of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation and Community Services.

“We’d love for people to know that while we do a lot of fun stuff here, that there is also ‘meaning’ behind it,” said April Flores-Cooper, executive assistant to the director of the parks and recreation division. “It’s not about just throwing a party or retreat. It’s about getting folks to come together and celebrate each other’s traditions, values and be able to be safe doing it.”

Recently, San Bernardino Parks, Recreation and Community Services received a grant from the Inland Empire Community Foundation through the Creative Corps Inland SoCal Program, which offers grants to local, regional and statewide organizations in 58 counties for unemployed and underemployed artists. The grants allow artists to create public awareness messages and projects in support of civic engagement and community participation.

The funds will be directed for a San Bernardino parks beautification and cultural infusion endeavor that is divided into two parts, the first of which will be centered around the creation of murals.

“We’re looking to add murals to several older buildings,” Flores-Cooper said. “A lot of folks are like, ‘I didn’t even realize that was a community center here.’ So, many people thought the Encanto Community Center would be a great place to have a mural, a place that has voter registration and other history. The mural would highlight that part of San Bernardino’s history and civic participation.”

Another mural is set for the Rudy C. Hernandez Community Center near downtown San Bernardino.

“We’d like to also tie that mural into San Bernardino’s history to make it more appealing and a talking piece,” Flores-Cooper added, “so people walk away knowing more about what it means.”

One unique aspect of that project is the inclusion of a QR code, which people can scan on their devices to access a website featuring the messaging behind the project and additional information about the artist and the mural in general.

The second part of the grant funding is earmarked for cultural infusion. Last year’s inaugural San Bernardino Festival was well received at Seccombe Lake Park, and another festival is scheduled for 2024 at Lytle Creek Park.

“We hope to recruit local culture bearers and artists so we can offer visual performance, dance, bird song, or anything relative to an individual’s culture while also sharing the background behind it,” Flores-Cooper said, pointing out that when the city was preparing the grant, leaders had already identified 27 seven dance and cultural performances.

“We’re hoping to provide a healthy stipend for these folks who come out for this and pay the performers and culture bearers to share their craft with the public,” she added. “We want to continue building relationships and hire artists for additional events as we move forward.”