Youth Pledging Peace is a mural by a youth group of that name working with artist Michael Massenburg. YPP is a city parks and recreation youth program, designed to engage thirteen- to seventeen-year-olds in community enhancement. The youth developed a symbol of a globe surrounded by colorful hand imprints, realized through the technical expertise of the professional artist. Youth Pledging Peace was created in partnership between the city and Inglewood Cultural Arts, the non-profit group co-founded by Mr. Massenburg. This artwork built on the camaraderie and enthusiasm developed through the Welcome to Inglewood mural on an adjacent perimeter wall.

Michael Massenburg is an Inglewood artist and educator exploring visual and social issues in collage, paint and media. His creative goal is to inform, provoke thoughts or inspire the viewer by incorporating everyday images reflecting the culture and history of a community. Mr. Massenburg is committed to making art with a social purpose. His public art has been commissioned by the Forum in Inglewood, the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, Missouri and, with Robin Strayhorn, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority’s Rosa Parks Station. He won grants from the California Arts Council and Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

Date: 2010
Collection: City of Inglewood Community-Based Public Art Projects
Medium: Mural
Material: Acrylic on prepared cinderblock
Size: 8′ x 6′

Location:
Inglewood Service Center
West Ivy Avenue + West Beach Avenue
222 W. Beach
Inglewood, California

Michael Massenburg on Youth Pledging Peace