"Family and Amor in Watts"
Watts, Ca

Commissioned by BRIDGE Housing, this community based mural was created with the input of residents and community members at Park Place in Watts. The entire building was originally painted white and was looking very sterile and plain. The team decided that painting the interior atrium of the apartment complex would be the most impactful. On a sunny afternoon, about 45 community residents and stakeholders joined Man One to brainstorm concepts and themes of what was possible on this 5 story building. Dozens of designs were created and many concepts and ideas were discussed. At the end, Man One took the community sketches and notes and created the mural you see below.

The final mural design has a unifying message of family, love, strength and culture. Each level of the mural emphasizes different aspects of community life. African lillies, Mexican nopales and palm trees grow from the ground level with the famous fist of resistance stamped in the background. Colorful letters with the words “family” and “amor” emerge on the next floor. On the fourth level, raised fists cheer in celebration and unity as expressed by Man One’s stylistic choice of multi colored hands and arms. A wave of pink hearts float in the background as the Watts Towers project themselves onto the top floor. The yellow sky covers the entire fifth floor as white outlines of clouds frame the field of color. Watts has always been comprised of proud, creative and resilient people. This mural honors that.

Mural assistant Joel Lopez (Man One Art Academy mentee).
Thanks to MuralColors for the final UV top coat and anti-graffiti coating.
Video directed and shot by VonJako
Pics by Man One and Joel Lopez
"Family and Amor in Watts" by Man One © 2025

Pics below…full video coming soon!