Better to Light a Candle, Than to Curse the Darkness

The Better to Light a Candle, Than to Curse the Darkness campaign aims to educate and raise awareness on critical local issues by beautifying the lowest quartile California Healthy Places Index communities in Imperial County through mural-making. Imperial Valley is struggling with disparities; it is among the hardest-hit communities regarding public health, water and energy conservation, and social justice. The campaign murals will focus on general and mental health to combat stigma and negative narratives in our community. In particular, murals will involve themes such as public health disparities and their devasting consequences, pollution impacts, the infamous Salton Sea, celebrating linguistic diversity, and agricultural workers. Through the campaign, the artist intends to light the candle of hope and curiosity by focusing on the optimism that can and will provide for impacted communities.