THIS WINNER AND HER TEAM showed tremendous vision when they took over a 7,000-square-foot, 1-million-gallon abandoned concrete water tank in Balboa Park and repurposed, revitalized, and transformed it into the home of one of San Diego's eminent multi-cultural arts organizations. Founded in 1984 with a mission to promote, present, and preserve the African Diaspora and Indigenous cultures of the world through music, art, dance, and education, the center opened in 1996 and has welcomed people of all walks of life ever since.
Today, the center serves as a treasured community asset, offering diverse programming, events, and exhibits for the public to enjoy. It functions as a performing arts center, an outdoor classroom, a community garden and more, all of which create a heritage space for people of different ethnic backgrounds to celebrate the multitude of cultures that make up our city, and the world at large. Classes community members can take include everything from West African Dance and Family Drumming to Yoga and Ki Energy Healing.
The center's EthnoBotany Garden teaches young and old about the role of plants in society today, and the plant uses in indigenous cultures. This organic garden honors the memory of George Washington Carver, and supplies the center with herbs, fruit, vegetables, and other medicinal and edible plants. It is the first sustainable and edible garden in Balboa Park, and some of its fresh food goes to the center's vegan cafe that serves international soul food.
Perhaps the most striking feature of this cultural center are the bright, colorful murals that cover the exterior and interior concrete walls with images of various cultures and diverse leaders. Much of the work was created by Mike Watson, known as AIR MIKE, and the King Tut artwork was contributed by muralist Mario Torero alongside a group of students. In addition, the center installed Solatube Daylight Systems, which earned the center an environmental design award called LEED Silver Certification in 2012.
No words can fully capture the contributions that our winner and the organization she founded have made to San Diego and beyond. Her resonating message of peace, collaboration, and harmony is shared with thousands of visitors every year.
SOHO is honored to present Executive Director Makeda Cheatom and the WorldBeat Cultural Center with the Adaptive Reuse - Cultural Preservation Award.
Makeda Cheatom, founder, executive director. Photo by Sandé Lollis
