Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists on Natomas Central Drive and in North Natomas Regional Park now can experience an array of photographs on banners celebrating North Natomas residents in motion.
The new art installation, called “Wisdom Travels,” includes 49 banners — all photographs of seniors and families who live in the neighborhood and have transportation stories to tell.
The project pairs photography and personal narratives from North Natomas residents aged 50 and older who share their stories about important times in their lives when active transportation — such as walking or cycling — played a role, said the City’s Arts Program Manager Melissa Cirone.
To create the banners, local documentary photographer Janine Mapurunga was selected and paired with local nonprofit North Natomas Jibe, an organization that encourages the North Natomas community to walk, bike and use public transportation.
“This is a truly unique collaboration between a vibrant community and an artist skilled at eliciting its stories, and I encourage everyone to go for a stroll in the park and enjoy the art,” Cirone said. “Thank you to Councilmember Angelique Ashby, who represents the district, for helping to make this partnership happen.”
Wisdom Travels was organized and funded through the City’s Office of Arts and Culture and its Artist in Residence Program, which launched in early 2020. The program selects one local artist to develop a community-based art project in collaboration with a local organization in each city council district.
All the photos and stories collected, including four video interviews with participants, are featured on Jibe’s website.
