“What if a mural could heal a neighborhood?” That’s the question Adam Ayala asked himself before creating Smile South Central Mural. This project transformed South Central Los Angeles with vibrant art. It brought artists and community together.
Smile South Central Mural started small. Ayala, a South Central native, was inspired by street art. He organized artists to paint in his neighborhood for an Earth Day project. This was the beginning.
The project’s name is more than just a hashtag. It represents Ayala’s mission. He wanted to bring art to an area known for its challenges.
The Smile South Central murals changed how the community viewed public art. Before Ayala’s project, graffiti was common. Business owners spent money to fix tagged walls. The murals offered a positive alternative. They were largely untouched by taggers.
One large mural faced a setback. A homeless man covered the work of several artists. The community was upset. They asked him to leave. The art had become a part of their lives.
One mural at Kimberly Party Supply has a particularly poignant story. Artists Crisp and DjLu added “Brenda Aguilera 1987-2008” to their piece. It honored a young woman killed at that corner. The mural helped her mother cope with the tragedy. The mother said she no longer saw a “fucked-up neighborhood”. She saw a beautiful mural that took the pain away.
Ayala’s easygoing nature has helped him connect with the community. Business owners now call him asking for murals on their walls. They see the positive impact the art has. People take pictures and support local stores.
Septerhed, one of the first artists, found something special in South Central. He said it felt like creating something new in an untapped area. He felt he was creating a bigger catalogue and having more exposure.
Smile South Central continues to grow. Ayala wants to turn it into a nonprofit. He envisions providing more resources for artists. His goal is to keep transforming South Central. He wants to keep creating new memories for residents through art.