Earlier this year, the Angeles Chapter sent out an open call to artists to apply to be the Spring Artist in Residence at the Chapter. Shideh Ghandeharizadeh, a graphic illustrator and designer was accepted into the role and worked alongside the Building Electrification campaign. Read about their experience with the Angeles Chapter below!
This Spring I was accepted to be The Sierra Club Angeles Chapter’s Artist in Residence.
I applied to this residency because although I’ve always considered myself an environmentalist, my environmentalism was only practiced in my lifestyle choices, not in engaging in my local community and government. In my solitude I had begun to feel hopeless, like my individual choices did not matter, and I hoped getting involved with an environmental organization would combat that,
The residency started with me meeting Senior Conservation Program Manager Kim Orbe. She educated me on the ongoing Clean Air campaign, rules 1111 and 1121, and plans for the Rally for Clean Air. I was given an open invitation to come and work in the DTLA office whenever I wanted.
Kim and I worked together to develop the “Clean Air, Clear Future” zine. It’s a little booklet that states the ways in which gas appliances are harming our environment, how proposed rules 1111 + 1121 could help those appliances be replaced with clean electric ones, and allows the reader to write their own personal statement in the booklet. It also folds out into an 11” by 17” “Clean Air for All” Poster. Zines originated as and continue to be activist tools, so I was happy to apply my zine-making skills in the time honored tradition.
The zine was handed out the day of the rally as both an educational tool and a souvenir for members of the community who attended and gave public comment at the SCAQMD.
Since the start of this residency I was a little worried about how I would feel if the rules did not pass. Since part of the reason I applied was to empower myself I was worried if the worst happened, I would continue to feel powerless. While there was a lot of support at the rally, it was shocking to see what force the fossil fuel industry had in trying to block such common-sense and relatively tame regulations. Unfortunately, the proposed rules did not pass.
But I don’t feel discouraged. Attending the rally and seeing all the people who took time out of their day to attend, wait for their turn, to give public comments was inspiring. It’s incredible to see how many people are dedicating their time and labor to make tangible changes for the environment. I think there are a lot of Angelinos like me – environmentalists who care but do not know the work that is already in progress and just needs their support. I hope art can help bring awareness of the important work The Sierra Club Angeles Chapter is doing.
The next Artist in Residence will be selected in the fall of 2025.