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PEARSON PILLAR MURAL PROJECT
Learn the stories that shaped Las Vegas’ Historic Westside—told through art and film.
The Pearson Pillar Mural Project is a collaboration between the Clark County Public Arts Office, Los Angeles-based muralist Mike Norice, and Las Vegas film team Arecibo Films, led by filmmaker Zachary Fried. The project brings to life a visual and narrative journey that honors the past, present, and future of this historic community.
The Murals: Unsung Pillars of the Westside by Mike Norice
Inside the Pearson Community Center, 21 towering concrete pillars—each 10 feet high—now stand as a timeline of Westside history. Completed in May 2025, artist Mike Morice’s murals celebrate the people whose lives, struggles, and triumphs shaped the neighborhood.
The project was begun with the community itself. Through workshops, surveys, and oral histories, residents shared their memories and pride, helping to shape the murals’ narrative arc. The journey begins with John Howell, the first Black landowner in Clark County, and continuing through defining moments such as:
- The Great Migration
- Black workers' contributions to the Hoover Dam and Basic Magnesium, Inc.
- The neighborhood’s legendary entertainment scene
- Civil rights leaders like Ruby Duncan and Hattie Canty
- Trailblazers such as architect Paul Revere Williams and civic icon William “Doc” Pearson
The timeline concludes with “The Future,” a mural honoring the vibrant and growing Hispanic/Latinx community and its vital role in center’s legacy and evolving story.
The Documentary: UNSUNG by Zachary Fried
Commissioned in Summer 2024, UNSUNG is a short documentary that follows the creation of the mural series and the people behind it. Directed and written by Zachary Fried and Gwen Walker of the Walker African American Museum, the film documents:
- Mike Norice’s artistic process
- Community engagement events
- Archival research and interviews
- The resilience and pride of the Historic Westside
Through intimate storytelling, UNSUNG captures a community reclaiming its history.
UNSUNG Premiere
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: West Las Vegas Library Theater
947 W. Lake Mead Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89106
Admission: Free and open to the public
RSVP: Reserve your seat on Eventbrite
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:
CAYLEE WHITE
Claytee White, the inaugural director of the Oral History Research Center at UNLV Libraries. In this role, she collects the history of Las Vegas by gathering memories of events and experiences from long-time residents. Up to the present, these oral history projects include Early Las Vegans, Latinx, Asian American Pacific Islanders, Jews, and African Americans.
Claytee received her Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University Los Angeles, Master of Arts degree in American History from UNLV, and engaged in additional graduate work at the College of William and Mary.
Currently, she hosts televised episodes of We Need to Talk, a series designed to address systemic racism in all its manifestations. These panel discussions allow campus researchers and community activists to engage in conversations designed to heal the city. Monthly articles in Black Image Magazine emphasize the history of Blacks in the city from 1870 to the present. Additionally, she has crafted a monthly campus radio talk show to discuss books, current ideas, music, and history in Soul to Soul: Universal Ideas for a Brighter Tomorrow. This show is being designed to be a free-for-all of positive energy.
MIKE NORICE
Mike Norice is a renowned artist celebrated for his dynamic murals and custom artwork. Born in 1980 in Watts, CA, Mike’s inspiring journey from a challenging childhood marked by poverty and homelessness to becoming a leading artist is truly remarkable. His diverse art practice includes murals, portraits, and fine art, with notable works such as a reimagined Sistine Chapel ceiling in Marina del Rey.
In 2017, Mike founded Artfully United, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming disadvantaged areas with uplifting murals. His contributions have earned him accolades from the City of Carson, the California State Legislature, and the LA Unified School District. Mike continues to expand his artistic reach across the nation while mentoring emerging artists and enriching communities through his impactful work.
ZACHARY FRIED
Zachary Fried, founder of Arecibo Films, leads innovative arts and culture initiatives rooted in community and storytelling. He was a featured panelist at the 2024 Eccentric Artists Shameless Unplugged Festival and received the 2024 Clark County Pearson Documentary Grant. As Executive Producer of Catharsis—a film honored with four NATAS® PSW Student Emmys® in 2023—Zach continues to champion emerging voices in film. His contributions have earned him a Gratitude Award from former Nevada Senator Valerie Wiener and features on Vegas-based podcasts such as Unclassified and Film Goals. A proud graduate of Las Vegas Academy and the College of Southern Nevada, Zach draws deep inspiration from Puerto Rican icon Doña Fela, living by the motto: "la vida es lucha, servicio y arte."
@arecibofilms
Photo credits: Ethan Saxe (@ethansaxeshots), Riley Cohen (@rhodologist), Helena Stojanov (@helenizaam), John Aliano (@johnaliano), Shawn Rosen (@shawnmrosen), Diana Martinez (@caliphotoglady)
LEARN MORE:
UNSUNG PILLARS OF THE WESTSIDE TIMELINE
DOWNLOAD TIMELINE (PDF)
EXPLORE. REFLECT. REMEMBER.
This project stands as a celebration of cultural legacy, intergenerational wisdom, and creative expression. Whether you visit the murals in person or experience the story through film, the Pearson Pillar Mural Project invites you to witness the history that lives on in the heart of the Historic Westside
For more information on this project, please visit the Clark County NV Channel at: https://tinyurl.com/pillarsoflegacy