‘Bloomington Speaks’ community sculpture encouraging residents to use shipping boxes to create art, stories

Bloomington residents and Inland Empire-based artists are collaborating to create a community sculpture made from shipping boxes.

The ‘Bloomington Speaks’ community sculpture project invites residents to decorate a box with photos and artistic messages that highlight their experiences with the area’s warehouse growth.

Fernanda Durazo, a Bloomington resident and artist helping to organize the event, says they have been reaching out to residents at local churches, through Zoom meetings, and at community events to spread awareness.

"The idea is to decorate this cardboard box that we're giving away to the community," says Durazo, who is also a photographer who has documented the changing landscape in the area. "We're asking each person to decorate a box based on their experience of living in Bloomington."

Durazo is working with lead artist Tamara Cedré and fellow supporting artist James Dailey.

Public warehouse data shows that 5.2 million square feet of warehouse space is expected to be developed in Bloomington in the next few years.

The sculpture is being coordinated by the People’s History of the Inland Empire. They are bringing together photographers, historians, artists, and journalists for the Live from the Frontlines memory project.

The Frontline Observer is a partner in this project, which aims to advance the efforts of those dedicated to recognizing the struggles of environmental justice communities. The initiative seeks to honor their advocacy by amplifying their voices through creative storytelling.

This project is supported by the California Arts Council and the Creative Corps of Inland Southern California.

For more information on how to be involved with the project, email bloomingtonpublicartproject@gmail.com.

Originally aired and published by KVCR News.