Community Art

Community Faces Project       - About the Honorees       - About the Artists       - Young Storytellers / Teen Producers Cultural Tapestry Walkways Sempra Children's Art Walls Cross-cultural Dome Art

The Market Creek Plaza Art & Design Team began the work of planning and designing the look of the Plaza in 1998. Through a series of community discussions and input from resident surveys, the team was guided in creating a place reflective of the many diverse cultures in the communities surrounding Market Creek Plaza.

The team decided that public art pieces were important as part of the overall design of the Plaza. And while there were several projects proposed, the one most overwhelmingly supported was the concept of a project honoring local "unsung" heroes, recognizing and celebrating the contributions of those who improved the quality of life in their communities. The goal was to bring the faces of these leaders to a place of recognition. At the same time, the Community Faces Project embraces the individual and collective histories of the people.


To help select the honorees of Community Faces, a committee of local residents who had participated in the work of the Art & Design Team was assembled. Committee members each nominated up to three people for consideration, and the top 24 vote-getters were selected, three of whom were husband-and-wife teams. Diverse in age and culture, the honorees’ collective work represents over three generations of leadership and community service.

The creative process began in June 2002. Photos were taken to guide sketches and miniature samples of the panels. The mock-ups were approved by members of the Art & Design team and the honorees. By October 2002 breathtaking reproductions of the images of the honorees began to unfold onto 24 canvas art panels each 8ft. x 8ft.

The final portraits hang in groups of four on the east and west sides of the Food 4 Less store in Market Creek Plaza.