Cathy Hrenda is an artist who truly believes that community togetherness and human interaction can drive creativity.  But she doesn’t just talk about it – she puts her money where her mouth is, as the saying goes. 

This year, Hrenda organized her 10th holiday “Make Art in the Park” project for her Adams Hill community so members can come together and complete an art installation of her design.    

Typically Hrenda creates her art installation around the theme of the power of community and connectivity. This year, her exhibition is titled  “Be the Light” and the display consists of cardboard lanterns of varied shapes that she fashioned in her home studio. The lanterns were moved into the Adams Square Mini Park and were painted by residents of the community on Nov. 22. This year, Hrenda was inspired by a quote from Martin Luther King Jr., which is also part of the display: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”  

Since 2015 Hrenda – a strong believer in the cohesiveness of community to bring about positive change – has designed installations for the holiday season that include having local residents help create the final artwork. The basic components and shapes are designed and created by Hrenda, typically from cardboard, found objects and trash. Then residents of the Adams Hill neighborhood are invited to the Adams Square Mini Park to finalize the art using paint, brushes and Hrenda’s direction, which is generally “Just go for it!” People of all ages typically participate and this year (as in the past) the ages ranged from toddlers to grandparents.   

“Even though everyone has their own ideas of how to paint their piece, somehow the final installation magically ends up looking like a cohesive work,” said B  Hrenda.  

The exhibition is on view through Jan. 10  in the Adams Square Mini Park, 1020 E. Palmer Ave. in Glendale.