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Pearson Pillar Mural Project
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The Clark County Public Arts Office was proud to collaborate with South Los Angeles-based artist Mike Norice and Las Vegas-based film production team Arecibo Films, led by Zachary Fried, on the Pearson Pillar Mural project. This project documents the painting of 21 pillars at the Pearson Community Center, each standing 10 feet tall with a circumference of approximately 82 inches and is set for completion in May with a dedication on Thursday, May 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pearson Community Center. Light refreshments will be provided.
The Pearson Community Center is in Las Vegas' Historic Westside, a significant area where African Americans established businesses and residences during segregation. Recognizing this rich history, project stakeholders carefully developed a theme that reflects an uplifting interpretation of the neighborhood's legacy.
In September 2024, Mike Norice hosted a Community Web community engagement workshop, inviting residents and Pearson Center staff to share insights about their community. Those unable to attend were encouraged to complete a survey or connect with Zachary Fried to share personal stories about the people and spaces contributing to the Historic Westside's enduring legacy.
Extensive research guided the project's design. Norice and Fried conducted interviews at the historic Harrison House, a vital refuge for Black entertainers, activists, and travelers during segregation, which now operates as a cultural center preserving African American history. Additional research included discussions with community and political leaders and an exploration of archival materials at the Las Vegas Convention Center and UNLV's Special Collections and Archives, including the Oral History Research Center.
With guidance from Claytee D. White, inaugural director of the Oral History Research Center, Norice designed a visual timeline across the 21 pillars. The first pillar highlights John Howell, the first African American landowner in Clark County in 1870. Subsequent murals showcase key moments in Westside history, including the Great Migration, contributions of African Americans to the Hoover Dam and Basic Magnesium, Inc., and the area's vibrant entertainment scene. Notable figures such as activists Hattie Canty and Ruby Duncan, architect Paul Revere Williams, and longtime civic leader William “Doc” Pearson are also honored.
The final pillar, titled "The Future," represents the growing Hispanic/Latinx community that has become an integral part of the Pearson Community Center and has been warmly embraced by the historically Black neighborhood.
Unsung Pillars of the Westside: A Timeline of Legacy (PDF)
The murals are set for completion in May with a dedication on Thursday, May 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pearson Community Center. Light refreshments will be provided.
RSVP AT:https://tinyurl.com/westsidemural
SHORT DOCUMENTARY BY ARECIBO FILMS COMING SOON!
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PEARSON PILLAR MURAL PROJECT
For more information on this project, please visit the Clark County NV Channel at: https://tinyurl.com/pillarsoflegacy