ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE WORK
Juan Navarro began his community-based mural work in the Eastside neighborhood in late 2017. He partnered with Riverside Community Health Foundation's health initiative called Eastside HealZone where he guided high school students and community volunteers in creating murals in alleyways. These projects later became larger and more impactful over time and were supported by the Riverside Art Museum, Residents of the Eastside Active in Leadership, Healthy Living Project Youth Club, City of Riverside, Public Works, Riverside Housing Development Corporation, Riverside African American Historical Society and both Ward 2 councilman, Andy Melendrez and current Ward 2 councilmember Clarissa Cervantes.
Juan’s Artist-in-Residence with Riverside Art Museum started in early January 2019. Riverside Housing Development Corporation built an affordable housing project where an artist would live in the community where they worked. This project was awarded to Juan Navarro and known as The Branch.
Private Residence in the Wood Streets
Juan Navarro worked with a local family to create a piece featuring Riverside's iconic Mission Inn, its citrus culture, and the vibrancy of joy. This experimental piece fused saturated realism with Bauhaus design— creating a maximal mixture of classical and mid-century modern.
Casa Blanca Mural
The Casa Blanca mural was created to represent the community and bring nostalgia to the generations of Casa Blanca, Riverside residents. The Bonnet Irrigation building wall, where the mural is located, faces the Welcome sign, which is a major entry to the neighborhood on Madison Street. The inspiration for this work came from community input and walks across the neighborhood with resident Richard Segovia.
The historical Casa Blanca Citrus Fruit Crate Label is the center focus of this piece. As a piece created to identify the neighborhood, the rich stylized typography was a perfect fit— also nodding to an earlier mural referencing the same label at Villegas Park created by Jimbo A. Gutierrez, a local tattoo, airbrush, and mural artist. The bottom of the mural from left to right shows the previous Saint Anthony's Church, the old Casa Blanca Elementary School, and the Casa Blanca Railroad Depot which were images provided by the local historical group. The left side shows a glimpse of stained glass from the renovated Saint Anthony's Church and the Virgin Mary sculpture that can be seen from the sidewalk. On the right, I referenced a sculpture found in Downtown Riverside outside of City Hall depicting the Medal of Honor recipient, Ysmael R. Villegas. Villegas' legacy has inspired a park, a street name, and community programs within Casa Blanca. The tiles on both sides are referenced from the Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service where the community hosts mental health services, workshops, a food pantry, and community resources. The illustrated coyote above references one piece of a long indigenous-inspired mural on Lincoln Ave. The faded palm trees in the background are a reference to Victoria Avenue. Finally, the fence work design was a recurring theme of the older houses from the neighborhood. A bright orange color palette with supporting greens and reds was chosen to tie the vision of the community to a single piece of art filled with historical references and symbolism.
I am very grateful and honored to be the artist chosen to create a piece that references a major community within Riverside's history. This mural was made possible by Mayor Patrica Lock Dawson and her Beautify Riverside initiative with funding from Altura Credit Union.
Park Avenue Storefront Revitalization Project
The Park Avenue Storefront Revitalization Project is a creative place-making effort along Park Avenue with Riverside Art Museum’s artist-in-residence Juan Navarro, the Riverside Community Health Foundation, the Residents of Eastside Active in Leadership group, and the Resident Leadership Academy. The Park Avenue Storefront Revitalization Project focuses on rejuvenating storefronts along Park Avenue in the Eastside to contribute to neighborhood vitality, safety, and economic development. Additional funding from US Bank is making possible an expanded project footprint. These murals were created in hand with the community and have had over 200 local volunteers throughout the project scope. As a community leader, Juan has also been able to include emerging artists, in his social practice art.
Aspirations of the Eastside
The Aspirations of the Eastside was the first mural that invited community members across the Eastside to give input on a single piece. Not only was the opportunity for collaboration among community leaders but also for the artists that created it. The mural is located on Arci’s Candy on Park and University Avenue.
The Branch
Riverside Artist-in-residence and Riverside side housing Development Corporation partnered to create a nationally recognized affordable housing program. This opportunity would allow an artist to live in the community that they worked in. Juan Navarro was awarded this opportunity and has been living here since early 2019 as he focuses on his social practice mural work in the Eastside, Riverside community. The Branch is an extension of the Riverside Art Museum in the neighborhood.
Eastside Health Center Mural
“Grandma’s Quilt” by Juan Navarro. Each piece of fabric painted into this mural represents a physical piece donated by our community. This piece shows how both healthcare workers and the community work together to create a healthier city. Thank you to all the healthcare providers who dedicate their lives to caring for our people.
Olympic Market Mural
This mural was produced under a health initiative with Riverside Community Health Foundation to tackle food deserts. The Riverside County Nutrition office in partnership with Eastside HealZone exchanged these mural for Olympic Market to keep fresh produce and healthy options in stock. This would aid families that live within the surrounding areas with healthier options at walking distance.