ArtNight Pasadena to Transform Community Center Into Creative Hub

The Jackie Robinson Community Center in Pasadena will become a vibrant hub of creativity during ArtNight Pasadena Fall 2024 on Friday, Oct. 18. The free activities, running from 6 to 10 p.m., will feature art exhibitions, live performances and interactive workshops for all ages.

Heather Hilliard Bonds, an artist with the Armory Center of the Arts and an art resident at Side Street Projects, will lead a collage workshop focusing on mental health and positive affirmations.

“We’re doing a collage piece and we’re going to be incorporating positive work and positive affirmations in our collage pieces,” Bonds said. “It’s really a nice encouraging and motivating thing to do for them because some of them are new to art and it really helps lift their self-esteem.”

ArtNight Pasadena aims to highlight the city’s commitment to accessible art and culture while fostering community connections across generations. The Jackie Robinson Community Center, named after the baseball legend who grew up in Pasadena, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and serves as a cornerstone of community engagement in the area.

Bonds, who teaches ongoing art classes for adults 55 and up at the center, emphasized the therapeutic value of artistic expression.

“Some people think that art is about how well you draw, but it’s really not about that,” she said. “It’s more about process and creating. It’s so therapeutic and it’s just a really good tool to share with one another and build.”

The event will also feature live musical performances and other interactive art activities, showcasing the talents of students, staff and community members. Bonds, who also works with the Teen Center and has a grant for a safe space to paint a mural, praised Pasadena’s commitment to cultural engagement.

“Pasadena in my opinion, is one of the best cities for art and culture,” she said.

The Jackie Robinson Community Center offers year-round programs including fitness activities, educational services, senior programs, passport application processing, and health screenings for seniors. ArtNight at the Center promises to offer a unique blend of creativity, community engagement and cultural celebration in a historic Pasadena venue.

For more information, visit https://www.cityofpasadena.net/parks-and-rec/parks/jackie-robinson-community-center/.