I had the opportunity to exhibit my art at the first Los Angeles Art Parade, where about 60,000 people gathered along Wilshire Boulevard on June 20th. The parade, organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and gallerist Jeffrey Deitch, turned the street into a celebration of art with colorful costumes, giant puppets, floats, music, and live performances.

I was invited by Dorado 606 Projects in Santa Monica to create masks and costumes for the parade. My group celebrated the summer solstice with a Solar Return theme inspired by the sun, plants, animals, and the growth of summer. I created a golden fox mask along with flower masks and costumes for our group.

We marched with 146 groups and more than 1,400 artists and performers. It was exciting to be surrounded by so much creativity and to share my work with such a large audience. The parade brought together artists, students, musicians, performers, and community groups, making the streets of Los Angeles feel like a giant outdoor art gallery.

Being part of the Los Angeles Art Parade was an unforgettable experience. It showed how art can bring people together, and I hope it becomes a tradition.