Ventura community finishes “Pura Avienda”
Ventura has welcomed numerous mural projects over the years to create a diverse cultural beauty and a sense of community within the city. Onofre Banderas, community advocate, and Jackie Pierce, executive director of Westside Community Development Corporation (WCDC), added the latest mural to Ventura’s streets titled “Pura Avienda.” The mural encompasses the cultures of the west coast with Indigenous and Mexican cultures to build community connection around the arts and resources for locals.
In 2019, Banderas was shot in a gang-related incident. Ever since this event, Banderas wanted to inspire youth to participate in art as a form of escape to prevent their participation in gang activities. “Pura Avienda,” or “Pure Avenue,” was approved in the fall of 2021 and was completed in January of this year. Local residents and artists helped to complete the mural when various issues such as funding and designing became present, resulting in a breathtaking mural for the Ventura community to enjoy.
