A new 8-foot by 30-foot mural titled Threads of Belonging is now visible on the exterior of the Valley Hi-North Laguna Library in south Sacramento. Unveiled Monday, the artwork represents six months of planning and coordination involving local artists and members of the Hmong, Palestinian, and Filipino communities.
Collaborative Artistic Process
Designers Pachia L. Vang, Jamie P. Cardenas, and Ren Allathkani led the project. The group hosted workshops to gather input from roughly 40 local weavers. Participants drew upon their personal histories to contribute to the final design. The mural functions as a visual record of memory and migration.
Weavers focused on textile patterns traditional to their respective heritages. These patterns serve as a bridge between the past and the present. The artists aimed to display these diverse traditions in a public setting to highlight the cultural landscape of south Sacramento. Vang noted the importance of textiles in defining place and community.
Funding and Public Support
Financial backing for the installation came from community donations, grants, and fundraising efforts. While the project sits on city-owned property, it is not city-funded. The Sacramento Office of Arts and Culture partnered with the District 8 Council Office to assist with the process.
City officials provided the necessary planning, permitting, and licensing support to ensure the installation met safety standards. The mural uses weather-resistant materials to withstand the Sacramento climate. It will remain on the library building for the next two years as part of the Art in Public Places program.
Broader Community Context
South Sacramento remains a hub for diverse immigrant populations. This library serves as a central point for residents to access public resources. By placing the mural here, the city and the artists hope to create a permanent reminder of the contributions made by different cultural groups.
Public art installations in Sacramento often focus on historical narratives or local geography. Threads of Belonging shifts the focus toward the tangible objects people carry with them when they move. The project provides a rare opportunity to see textile-based heritage represented on a massive scale. Library patrons and residents of the Valley Hi area are expected to view the piece as a reflection of their own neighborhoods. Future installations in the city may draw inspiration from this model of community-driven design and execution.