Vision Theatre Artwork Unveiling

The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) is proud to announce the unveiling of three original artworks that will grace the newly renovated and rebranded, Vision Theatre Performing Arts Center (VISPAC), on Thursday March 19, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., on People Street in front of the historic Vision Theatre at 3341 W. 43rd Place, Los Angeles, CA 90008. This event is free and open to the public, registration is suggested.

The unveiling honors the yearlong observance of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, celebrating a century since Dr. Carter G. Woodson first established "Negro History Week" in 1926. The 2026 theme is "A Century of Black History Commemorations", recognizing the achievements and contributions of Black Americans. In alignment with this theme, DCA will honor the achievements and contributions of the visual artists, performing artists, culture bearers, poets, merchants, and ancestors who have lived, worked and made art in historic Leimert Park.

Through DCA’s Performing Arts Division, the Leimert Park Cultural Hub commissioned three visual artists to design and paint community-focused works on three surfaces: the Vision Theatre’s main lobby, the 40ft storage bin located behind the theater, and the roll-up security gate in front of the theater. The awardees, selected by peer-panel review, received feedback on their proposals from the community, which were then approved by DCA’s Cultural Affairs Commission. The three works are:

“The Spirit of Performance” by Aziz Diagne (main lobby), This work honors the artists whose voices give life to the Vision Theatre. Musicians, dancers, actors, poets, and storytellers emerge as a unified presence. Each figure embodies a discipline, a lineage, and a living cultural memory. Instruments, gestures, and expressions form a shared visual language of performance. The composition reflects the theater as a place of transformation, where individual expression becomes collective experience. This painting stands as a permanent tribute to the power of performance and to the artists whose voices shape the cultural life of the community. Aziz Diagne is a self-taught multimedia artist from Senegal and the founder of Aziz Gallerie. He has been a creative force in the Leimert Park area for nearly 40 years, dedicated to uplifting underrepresented artists with commitment to cultural expression, access and inclusion.

“Bloom Bright” by Kodjovi Sevon (storage bin), is a visual celebration of creative resilience and cultural identity. The mural depicts a large, stylized rose composed of vibrant colors, textures, and artistic techniques symbolizing our community as a people rising from challenges and remaining beautiful through it all. The African inspired elements include Adinkra symbols, mud cloth fabric, and a deep palette of red, black and green. Kodjovi Sevon is a Togolese-American visual artist and muralist based in Los Angeles whose work lives at the intersection of street culture, storytelling, and community empowerment. With roots in graffiti and a deep love for public art, Sevon uses walls as canvases to reflect identity, resilience, and cultural pride.    

“Leimert Park Cultural Icons” by Sei Shimura (roll-up security door), features a collage of influential figures who have shaped Leimert Park’s cultural landscape, including Sika Dwimfo, Dwight Trible, Rene Fisher-Mims, Lula Washington, Kamau Daáood, Kamasi Washington, Marla Gibbs, V. Kali, Karen Mack, Queen Aminah, Fernando Pullum, Billy Higgins, Barbara Morrison and Ben Caldwell. This piece functions as a living tribute to the community’s enduring cultural identity. Sei Shimura is a contemporary mixed media artist with a deep-rooted connection to South Los Angeles. Having lived in Ladera Heights, just a short distance from Leimert Park, Sei has long been inspired by the area’s rich history of jazz, art and cultural innovation. Specializing in community-based art, Sei has worked numerous large-scale projects throughout the greater Los Angeles area, with a focus on creating works that reflect local history, celebrate cultural identity and engage the community.