Leah McKenzie, of Long Beach 21, performs a ceremonial dance as Flo Pereira and artist Jason Pereira also dance, during a blessing ceremony for the mural "Tautua" in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. Pereira features McKenzie in the painting that is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)
Councilman Rex Richardson hosted an unveiling Saturday morning for the latest mural in North Long Beach created under his Creative Corridor Challenge series.
Named “Tautua”, the mural also includes the Samoan proverb, “O le ala ile pule o le Tautua,” meaning “The path to leadership is through service.”
The mural, completed in May, was created by artist Jason Pereira and inspired by local young community leader Leah McKenzie.
Artist Jason Pereira speaks during a blessing ceremony for is mural “Tautua” in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. The painting is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)Leah McKenzie, of Long Beach 21, performs a ceremonial dance as Flo Pereira and artist Jason Pereira also dance, during a blessing ceremony for the mural “Tautua” in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. Pereira features McKenzie in the painting that is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)Artist Jason Pereira speaks during a blessing ceremony for his mural ÒTautuaÓ in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. The painting is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)Leah McKenzie, 21, speaks during a blessing ceremony in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. The painting “Tautua” features McKenzie and is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)Artist Jason Pereira speaks during a blessing ceremony for his mural “Tautua” in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. The painting is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)Flo Pereira applauds, during a blessing ceremony for her son’s mural “Tautua” in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. Artist Jason Pereira painting “Tautua” is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)A blessing ceremony was held to celebrate the mural “Tautua” by artist Jason Pereira’s in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. The painting is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)Artist Jason Pereira speaks during a blessing ceremony for is mural “Tautua” in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. The painting is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)A blessing ceremony was held to celebrate the mural “Tautua” by artist Jason Pereira’s in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. The painting is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)Long Beach Council member Rex Richardson, remark on the “Tautua” mural during a blessing ceremony in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. The painting is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)A blessing ceremony was held to celebrate the mural “Tautua” by artist Jason Pereira’s in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. The painting is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)Artist Jason Pereira speaks during a blessing ceremony for is mural “Tautua” in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. The painting is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)A blessing ceremony was held to celebrate the mural “Tautua” by artist Jason Pereira’s in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. The painting is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)Leah McKenzie, of Long Beach 21, checks her phone before performing during a blessing ceremony for the mural “Tautua” in north Long Beach, Ca., Saturday, September 8, 2018. The painting features McKenzie and is the newest Creative Corridor Challenge mural in District 9 this year. (John Valenzuela/ Correspondent)
