THE CITY OF CARSON Official Press Release About Love My Neighbor Opening

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Carson Artist Alexey Steele Unveils Newly Founded Artward Gallery in Scottsdale Neighborhood of Carson on June 27

Noted Southern California artist Alexey Steele will display two new works from his My Neighbors series, that presents a passionate and compelling portrayal of representative residents from the City of Carson, at the newly founded Artward Gallery dedicated to his ongoing Love My Neighbor public art project. The unveiling will occur on Tuesday, June 27th from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at Scottsdale Townhomes located at 23400 Avalon Blvd. in Carson.

Steele’s studio is located in the heart of Carson, the most racially balanced and diverse city in the United States. Steele is a proponent of the transformative nature of art. He also believes that the answer to many of the difficult issues currently facing society is to get to know and love one’s neighbor, as inspired by the cherished phrase “love thy neighbor.” His My Neighbors: Capturing the Soul of America’s Diverse City art series, which currently totals eight portraits of community members who represent the strength and soul of Carson. The artist hopes that this will also encourage visitors to see their own neighbors from a new perspective and take the message of love for one’s neighbor back to their own neighborhoods in an effort to inspire social change.

“The City of Carson is proud of our unique diversity. We are currently preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our founding with substantial forward-looking urban development. Alexey Steele’s Love My Neighbor public art program highlights the city’s civic pride and showcases Carson’s diversity as we pursue our City motto of ‘Future Unlimited,’” said Carson Mayor Albert Robles.

“Every street and every neighborhood has their own widely loved neighbors, and I want everyone to look around and say ‘Love My Neighbor’ just as I do,” notes Steele. “With the My Neighbors art series, I have focused on individuals who are overlooked as the true heroes of our society, as these special people form the bedrock of the community and provide something real and solid to hold onto during our troubled times,” he adds, “Everyday people of diverse backgrounds form the bedrock of the community.”

Steele was awarded a grant by The City of Carson Cultural Arts Commission for 2015-16 which was followed by the grant for 2016-17 to develop the My Neighbors series. In this second collaboration between the City and an artist, Steele focused his attention on the “Scottsdale” neighborhood of Carson. Following his concept that special neighbors exist in every neighborhood Steele found a remarkable and inspiring character in Cirillo Campos, a beloved 75-year old gardener who has been working continuously in Scottsdale for 31-years and is an icon in the neighborhood. Steele decided to paint an epic life-size painting celebrating human dignity shining bright in the world of adversity. To showcase works of his My Neighbors series to the local community and use the Love My Neighbor art project as a tool of continuous community building, Steele established a permanent on-site Artward Gallery.

*Digital images of artwork in the exhibition are available upon request.*