Pasadena Artists Ready Two Major Public Art Projects Honoring Robinson Brothers

Two artists are preparing to install $400,000 worth of public art at Robinson Park Recreation Center, finalizing works that honor baseball legends Jackie and Mack Robinson while celebrating the diverse history of Northwest Pasadena.

The Northwest Commission will review the project Tuesday evening, Sept. 9, at the Jackie Robinson Community Center. The meeting marks a key milestone in the two-year community engagement process.

The Robinson brothers both attended Muir High School in Pasadena. Jackie broke baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Mack won silver in the 200-meter dash at the 1936 Olympics.

Sculptures of both brothers stand at Pasadena City Hall and the Rose Bowl.

Artists Deborah Aschheim and Carla Jay Harris have developed three distinct artworks for the Robinson Park Recreation Center. Each piece draws from extensive interviews with longtime residents and community leaders.

Aschheim, a Pasadena resident, will install 40 hand-drawn portraits and archival photographs in the east lobby. Her work focuses on personal memories and neighborhood history.

Harris plans a large narrative mural for the central lobby wall. The piece blends illustration and photography to capture intergenerational stories tied to the park.

The artists will collaborate on a third piece honoring the Robinson brothers. This “Legacy Wall” will occupy the central corridor leading to dance and fitness rooms.

The project emerged from a community vision developed between 2020 and 2021. A stakeholder group that included former commissioners and community members helped shape the direction.

“Public art at Robinson Park Recreation Center will reflect the community’s history and the legacies of Jackie and Mack Robinson,” the project’s vision statement says.

The artwork will also tell stories of Northwest Pasadena’s resilience and diversity. Themes include early African American settlers, Japanese American families affected by World War II internment, and Latino and Armenian families.

Community engagement began in August 2023 after the city completed artist agreements. The artists conducted interviews with dozens of residents and attended numerous public events. They spoke with members of organizations including the Pasadena Black Equity Project, NAACP Pasadena branch, and Alkebu-Lan Cultural Center.

The artists also attended events ranging from the Latino Heritage Fair to the Black History Festival. They also presented their concepts to the Arts and Culture Commission in May 2024.

Pasadena’s Cultural Affairs Division allocated $200,000 for each permanent art installation. The works are part of the city’s Capital Improvement Program public art guidelines.

Artists will create a digital archive alongside the physical installations. The interactive website will house additional stories, photographs, and audio clips from community members.

The online component aims to connect displaced residents with the project. It will also provide access for people with visual impairments or mobility issues.

If approved, the artists will begin final contracting in September. Installation could begin in late 2025 or early 2026.

The city plans a dedication event in mid-2026 to mark completion of the project.