Exide — a now-shuttered battery recycling plant in the city of Vernon — spewed lead into thousands of homes in Southeast Los Angeles County for decades . Despite growing up in the area, Marvella Muro did not learn about the plant till she was an adult. She recalled an environmental justice symposium at East L.
A. College, where a group of students shared that they had elevated levels of lead in their blood. Muro said she worried about her health, her loved ones, and the potential of having lead-ridden soil surrounding her home.
The session stayed with her. Years later, Muro became a curator at Self Help Graphics & Art, a community arts center in Boyle Heights. When the Getty announced that the next theme of its giant, cross-site arts event — PST ART — would be “ Art & Science Collide ,” Muro knew exactly what she wanted to do.
She and her team reached out to local artists. With the help of community members, they put together “Sinks: Places We Call Home.” The exhibition opens Saturday at Cal State L.
A. and depicts how toxic pollutants have impacted local residents’ health and quality of life. “This exhibition is very L.
A. focused,” Muro said, “but [the issue is] something that really impacts communities nationwide.” “Sinks: Places We Call Home” will be on view through February 15, 2025.
It opens to the public on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 5–8 p.m. You can get tickets to the opening here .
The exhibition is free to the public. But if you .