January 21, 2012, 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. – The Pilgrimage to Elixir

Join muralist/artist Patrick Henry Johnson as he offers his mural The ELIXIR to the City of Los Angeles in a dedication ceremony. 

A stroll or drive down Crenshaw Blvd. will now be an empowering experience, thanks to the inspired rendering of this dynamic work. 

A 40x40 ft mural entitled The ELIXIR on the wall of The Liquor Bank at the corner of Stocker and Crenshaw Blvd. is meant to impact the consciousness of the community. The mural features an African American woman rocking an iconic Afro and hoop earrings in a self-contained universe.

Those attending the Pilgrimage to ELIXIR will meet in the parking lot adjacent to the Starbucks located at Crenshaw Blvd. and Coliseum St. 

Spoken word, refreshments provided by Starbucks and a candle lighting ceremony will accompany the pilgrimage.  In homage to the mural, a request has been sent out beckoning those to ROCK THEIR FROS!  

The bottom of ELIXIR reads, “Have we forgotten that we are spiritual beings having a human experience?  In a universe created in harmony, conflict is a creation of your own mind.  You have all that you need within you. What are you waiting for?  FREE YOUR MIND!”  

Johnson started the mural in September and brushed his last stroke in December. Working predominantly with a single ladder, Johnson, was met with epic stares and honking from pedestrians and motorists alike.  He even received help from a 12-year-old girl who stopped to help him paint for an hour.

Johnson was recently commissioned to create 10 portrait size silhouette paintings, representing 70 African American women for the California African American Museum’s (CAAM) exhibition “Women Game Changers, Less Known Here Celebrated.”  Through a colorful display of tall banners, portraits and artifacts the exhibition highlights the achievements of African American women less publicly known, who have made significant changes in many fields ranging from medical, judicial, sports, aviation, art, composition and many more.  These female mavericks walked outside the line and flew outside the box.  The exhibition is ongoing at CAAM through March 27, 2012 and is one of Los Angeles’ must see attractions.