Artworks of butterflies decorated the area around Paxton Park amid the warm and windy Saturday morning, where Pacoima Beautiful had set up shop. Although it had been several days since the observance of Earth Day, the nonprofit nonetheless hosted an event near the Pacoima Wash as the community in the Northeast Valley came out to connect with artists to celebrate Mother Nature.

The Northeast Valley is a well-known “Art Nest” for both established and up-and-coming artists and performers to develop and nurture their talents and crafts. But there has also been a lack of outlets for those efforts of creativity to be displayed and viewed.

That was not an issue here. Dubbed “There is Art in Earth,” this event on April 27 emphasized using artwork to show support for the environment. In one of the interactive workshops, children made their paper from a mixture of water and shredded paper, which they could decorate however they pleased on one of the nearby tables filled with paints and brushes.

The images of butterflies were lined up on a walking path nearby, each highlighting different women who made their marks in politics, sports or pop culture, including civil rights activist Dolores Huerta; weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who won the very first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines; and influential Latina singer Selena.

One of the biggest draws of the event was the 120-foot mural on the very edge of Haddon Avenue meant to represent the Valley. Outlines of ladybugs, rabbits, frogs and P-22 –  a mountain lion that resided in Griffith Park – were drawn onto the wall. Artists began work on the mural that morning, and attendees were also allowed to assist in painting it.

“This mural is about honoring the Earth and celebrating Earth Day,” said lead artist Nicole Martinez. “Specifically, we want to represent the Tataviam tribe as well as their respect for the Earth, for the land, and for the planet. Everything we have on the mural is native plants and animals here in the San Fernando Valley and Southern California.”

The mural wasn’t the only piece of artwork under creation at the park. Right next to the bridge over the Pacoima Wash were two different renditions of Mother Nature, one being painted onto a wooden board and the other spray painted onto a canvas.

The wooden board depiction – by Juan Pablo Reyes, a local muralist in the Valley – was that of a large woman surrounded by plants and flowers holding the Earth in her hands. The piece is meant to represent all the things that the environment provides for us and how we, in turn, must show care for the plants, animals and ecosystems.

Reyes talked about how much harm we’re causing the planet, such as drilling for oil.

“I hope that through art we’re able to bring it to the conversation,” Reyes said. “We don’t have another [planet] to go to, so we’re all going to suffer. It takes us to bring [that conversation] to human consciousness, to be able to make the change and spark up that organization that’s going to be able to start pushing that agenda forward.”

Rosa Lopez, who has painted murals in Pacoima and East Los Angeles, went with showcasing the four elements – fire, water, earth and wind – all surrounding a visage of Mother Nature on the canvas. Lopez also included the Aztec deity Quetzalcoatl to represent Indigenous peoples and their roots.

Despite the canvas constantly blowing in the breeze, adding another layer of difficulty, Lopez wasn’t deterred from the challenge of completing her artwork to show her support for the environment.

“We are part of the Earth, so we need to … learn that we need to be a part of it [and] plant seeds, physically and metaphorically, to keep our Earth going for generations to come,” she said. “It’s very special for the community to come together and have events like this, for the children also to come and learn and get inspired and give back to Earth.”

Martinez, Reyes and Lopez can each be found on Instagram at nico_chic0, jpmurals and lopez_custom_designs.