Some people like their art picked by critics. I like more common populist art. Take Johnny Cash. I love his music and his voice, especially how when he says Jesus. You can feel the love in that word when he says it.
Simi Valley also has some populist art not made or created by students in prestigious art universities. Here is a video to introduce you to Bottle Village, a Simi Valley cultural icon.
The foundation is staffed mostly by volunteers, many of which I know personally. This isn't exactly political news but this is my blog, so it gets a spot.
Ah the Bottle Village. I remember in Cub Scouts we did work helping to restore it, circa 1991. Good times.
Many many years ago, when I used to do political cartoons for a local paper one of the first subjects I tackled was Bottle Village. The reason is I came home one day to find my young son building a "village" out of blocks and empty coke bottles. When I asked what he was doing it turns out he'd been to the Village with his preschool class that day and he'd been inspired to create his own. Places like Notre Dame and the Disney center are wonderful expressions but Grandma Brisby's home grown effort proves that everyone has the potential for creating and building on a more personal scale.