With a cotton candy sunset as a backdrop for the city and a trio serenading community members with ballads like "Contigo" by Los Panchos, MidCity Mercado opened its latest art exhibit this weekend titled "Legacy," which pays tribute to the local people and businesses that make up the city of Los Angeles Angeles.

“My mission is to bring awareness to businesses like my mom's,” said Jasmine Maldonado, owner of Persona the Shop and MidCity Mercado. “To tell their stories through exhibits where local artists and creatives showcase a part of their corner of the city.”

“It's so important to support local businesses right now, especially with all the raids going on,” said Valerie De Marcos of Valerie's Vintage Thrift Shop. “My parents' store wouldn't still be open if it weren't for the support of our community and people like Jasmine and her family.”

The event also commemorated significant milestones for Maldonado and her family: the 25th anniversary of Mariscos Marias, her mother's restaurant, which has been serving the West Adams community for over four decades, first through her food truck and eventually with two restaurants. And the 5th anniversary celebration of Maldonado's clothing store, Persona the Shop, located next door to her mother's restaurant—the place where the idea for MidCity Mercado was born.

“My mother sacrificed a lot to get this space, and it's such an honor to share it with my community,” she said, recalling times as a child running around the same parking lot that now hosts community events. “This is healing for my inner child, because as a child who grew up in this community, I wish there had been someone doing this back then.”

One of the things that has always been present for Maldonado and his family is events to provide opportunities and a space where they can highlight their city's often overlooked businesses and talent. And that's precisely what they did with this weekend's event.

Some of the artwork on display included paintings of liquor stores, flower shops, and hair salons. A painting by local East LA artist Melly Trochez, titled “Bueno, Bonito y cheap,” reflected a colorful and highly detailed street vendor selling artisanal goods. There was also a small makeshift market stall, fully stocked with newspapers, magazines, and Mexican candy.

Throughout the gallery were also photos; some were portraits of local business owners and other scenes that offered a personal look at the many neighborhoods and faces in the city. One of them was by photographer Erick Solis, from South Central, whose images could be seen upon entering the exhibition. those outside of it.

“When I take photos, I try to capture the natural environment and what defines South Central and our people,” Solis says.

His photography preserves a part of South Central that isn't always shown, a part that is special to him and many others in his community. One of them was a moment captured inside his local laundromat that evokes nostalgia for those who grew up going to these businesses like him. While other photos captured businesses and buildings in his area where he lives.

“I think 10 or 15 years from now, when things will probably be very different, these photos I'm taking now will have even more significance,” he said. “Years from now, that photo will bring back memories of today and transport me back to that moment.”

In a time when masked men are attacking communities Like those featured in the exhibit, where the community often feels overlooked and invisible, events like this provide visibility and safety for the community.

“I feel like the work we're doing is sacred it's for the people who would have wanted this kind of representation; it's for our community,” Maldonado said. “I feel the need to convey that message, to say that we deserve events and spaces where we feel protected and celebrated.”

Maldonado hopes to continue creating these events now that MidCity Mercado has officially become a nonprofit. As such, they hope to expand access to the arts and exhibitions for communities of color. in addition to organizing “know rights your” sessions and other community events and fundraisers.

“I've put in so many years of work to get this market here, and it seems unreal to me, but I know it's going to be impactful for so many people and inspire others to do the same in their communities,” Maldonado said.“Looking at their parents, seeing how they can tell their story, their neighbors' stories, and build these spaces that are safe and special.”

MidCity Mercado5640 W Adams Blvd. LA 90016E is the address for MidCity Mercadomidcitymercado.com

This article was produced under the California Local News Fellowship at UC Berkeley