Commerce Public Art - Skye Gutierrez

                 Art in Public Places Initiative in City of Commerce

(Murals and Paintings with Meaning)

    By: Skye S. Gutierrez

   October/November 2025

Frida Kahlo at City Hall, 2025 /Artist: Nervskyhigh, a.k.a Ricky Llamas

 He is an artist from Bell Gardens.

Representing the Mexican culture and legacy of Frida Kahlo.

Symbolic motif: Resiliency, Spirit, Creative mind, Rebirth

                                   3 Angel Wings at Rosewood Park, 2023 / Artist: Colette Miller from L.A.

                           “Shine your light” inscription meant to remind people we can be angels on earth.

                                             Rosewood Utility Box, 2025 / Artist: Nervskyhigh 

                                                Transforming the ordinary into extraordinary.

                                    Monarch butterflies migrate from the U.S. to Mexico and vise versa.

                    Symbolic of transformation and connection between the living and the dead, 

            spiritual messengers during Dia de Los Muertos, believed to carry the souls of the departed.

                                  Star Wars Manhole Cover Sidewalk Art, 2023 / Artists: Community members

                            A different perspective of art being on the floor sparks conversation and wonder.

                      Appealing to children and adults alike who are fans of Star Wars films or art in general.

                               Citadel and Casino Sunset, 2025, on Washington Blvd. / Artist: Nerskyhigh

                   This mural I saw across the busy street which appears as silhouette art of popular places in my                         neighborhood. Look closely on the sidewalk in the center and it is painted like a red carpet.                     The red carpet experience is a nice touch though it is easily missed I feel especially from a                             distance as you can see. The shadow against the sunset forms a cool contrast and captures the                     city landmarks well.

                             Photo-op at Pumpkin Patch, 2025, on Washington Blvd. / Artist: Nerskyhigh

                I spotted this at the pumpkin patch 2 weeks ago by the same artist that did a lot of these other                     paintings in my neighborhood, and I can identify the citadel outlets and commerce casino. This is in an ideal location at the family-friendly pumpkin patch that attracts lots of visitors and represents the city in a vibrant way.

Community Interviews: I interviewed 2 of my neighbors in my community as I joined them on a walk. 

Interview #1: My neighbor was fond of the Friday Kahlo mural and particularly liked the the border design along the edges of the whole mural because he said they reminded him of the specific pottery design called Talavera used in Mexico that is really expensive and beautiful. He also loves the vibrant use of color by the artist and the incorporation of monarch butterflies since he feels it represents Mexican culture well. He also brought up in conversation one of the other murals I took a picture of, the one with the shadow and the sunset. He loved that one. In the end I asked him, what kind of artwork would you create for the city if you were the artist? He shared that he wanted his message of his art to be that of a brighter future ahead, one that is aspirational. He would not do anything too politically focused or direct, but rather abstract and open to interpretation. I definitely see his reasoning and while art can be political, it is possible that his artwork invites more rather than provokes the viewer. His theme of a better future is a nice idea.

Interview #2: My neighbor enjoyed the details of the Frida Kahlo mural as we saw it up close and pointed out the individual brush strokes of the paint and the depth of focus as he called it in which the shadows and light shape the face of the subject (Frida). This neighbor studied photography in the past and applied his knowledge to the public art we saw which I think is cool. He was fond of the Star Wars floor art as he had not noticed them before. Another work he likes is the angel wings which he shared that his granddaughter took a picture with one of the wings the last time he passed by there. I ended with that same question, what kind of artwork would you create for the city if you were the artist? He expressed that he would use his skills in photography and share one of his photographs of a plant, he photographs mostly plants he shared. Then, he said he would invite community members to share their own works on a rsvp basis that involves a few city council members to review and approve the artworks before displaying them for the community to see and admire. The approval process would be simple but he says this because he expressed that it is important for the artwork to be appropriate for public view. So I followed up by asking what he deems as appropriate and he said well nothing promoting drugs, sexual content, nor profanity. I agree with his viewpoint and I really like his idea of how he wants it be a collaborative art movement for the community to be a part of.

Critical Analysis: The overarching themes I see present in these artworks are that of resiliency, community, optimism, creative minds, and shared spaces. The Hispanic and Latino community and culture is being represented, marginalized communities in general, people of color. The history of the indigenous tribes are being centered. The City of Commerce recently released a public statement stating they are “investing $2 million from development impact fees and Measure AA funding to transform blank walls and streets into bold, visual reflections of community identity” and go on to say “Plans also include intergenerational workshops where residents can paint alongside muralists, helping shape the city’s next creative chapter”.

My Proposal: The following artworks I shared here are respectable in their own right. I particularly like the Frida Kahlo mural, the utility box, the angel wings, and the sunset one with the citadel and casino. I would like to see more representation of the indigenous communities, people with their pets on a walk, families of all ages working together, people gardening and/or exercising, are what come to mind. I am Native American as well as Hispanic and Filipino myself so to see an emphasis on cultural wealth I think is impactful especially for the youth to look up to. If I were the artist creating artwork for my city, I would include a mural of these aforementioned scenes and an interactive art piece that encourages families to share, whether anonymously or signed, a part of their story to fit into a community puzzle or album of memories that becomes an ongoing collaborative project. I would create something fun for pet dogs to be a part of as well, perhaps something with paw prints or healthy dog treats.