Seated in History:
American Legion Post #201
The Commemoration of American Legion Post #201 is part of the art program at City Heights Plaza del Sol and City Heights Place located at 4061 Fairmount Ave near University Ave. in San Diego.
The much needed addition of two five story buildings of affordable apartments, meant the loss of a very cool building which was an early part of San Diego’s history. My work on this piece was to remember and hold fast to all the contributions of the DeWitt C. Mitchell Post #201.
For passersby, there is an exterior plaque. It’s an enamel copy of the portrait of DeWitt painted in oils that is in the current #201 in Lemon Grove.
The plaque reads:
Here stood the original site of the DeWitt C. Mitchell Post #201. Built in 1931, this American Legion post was a vibrant part of the community, hosting neighborhood events and sports and providing support to our local veterans. Please visit the art commemorating this post within this building.
I made the frame from clay that was fired and glazed. Here is a link to the story.
One can see the rest of the display through the windows and can enter the Community Room to check it out.
There is a photo of me in the original building being inspired by the benches that surrounded their main gathering hall. It also encourages people to lift the bench lids and look inside, but first one must understand the images and text. They include The Paris Caucus, Lester Olmsted, Boy Scouts and the Gold Star Mother stamp. To read the texts link. To the upper right is the old sign (currently in Lemon Grove) and below that is the oil painting of DeWitt Mitchell.
Lifting the lids one sees a tight massing of artifacts. These objects show the things that made (and animated) the post and the neighborhood. A very human factor.
This was all made possible by Wakeland Housing Corporation and Price Philanthropies.
The murals on the front of the building were not made by me, however, to know more about them please go to Art Reach link.
I was also involved in the wall art in both buildings. I researched and put together a group of very local artists, ones familiar with the neighborhood. Their original art was photographed to be reproduced in sizes that worked within the spaces available. ColorPlak link. These artists are: Wick Alexander, Amanda Katchadoorian-Jodi, Michelle Montrose, Pasquale Verdicchio and Nina Karavasiles with original collages.
The interior Design was done by Christy Wolf of Placed Interior Design.
Deborah Smithton is the architect.
Wakeland’s Project Managers have been; Kim Duran, Lisa Huff and Cara Vereshagin.
Wakeland also has made an historic link for this project.
The American Legion link.
Chris Boattini from KCM Group.
SunCountry Builders were the contractors. Kevin Jones, Superintendent
