Convalescent Aid Society Pasadena Mural

I was honored to design and paint a mural celebrating the Convalescent Aid Society’s 100 year anniversary as an organization here in Pasadena, CA. The wall was at a visible location that we passed by often across the street from Kaiser. There was some old fading signage that would be replaced with a timeless and modern mural to become a future landmark of the area.

“Convalescent Aid Society was founded in 1923 by seven women residents of Pasadena who were concerned about indigent people who were discharged from hospitals and who were unable to afford the various things one needs during convalescence at home. - Today nearly 28,748 pieces of equipment are currently in area homes including 2,430 wheelchairs that were loaned out last year. Not only does CAS place durable medical equipment including beds, wheelchairs, bath chairs, commodes, canes and crutches in homes, it provides the service of recycling. By accepting gently used equipment, making any necessary repairs and providing state of the art sanitizing, CAS has kept 65 tons of equipment out of area landfills.”

In creating the design for this piece, I wanted to come up with something that would make sense to someone looking at it 100 years ago as well as today. It was important to not just to create a sign for the business but to celebrate the community as a whole.

In the heart of Pasadena, where the Colorado Street Bridge gracefully spans the Arroyo Seco, and the Convalescent Aid Society mission lends care and support to those in need, a profound connection exists. It is a reminder that we, as a community, have the capacity to build bridges of hope, healing, and connection, much like the bridge that has stood tall for over a century. This connection is a testament to the enduring human spirit and our ability to make a positive impact in the lives of others, even in the face of challenges. As a dual meaning, the bridge also symbolizes the connection of the silos of healthcare

There’s a nod to historic Route 66 that passes through Foothill accessing key locations tied to the beginnings of this organization. “The original location was a storefront facing Fair Oaks in the Castle Green annex of the famous Hotel Green. During the first year of operation, CAS provided 12 wheelchairs to post surgery patients to (what is now) Huntington Hospital. A thrift store was founded and the proceeds were donated to people who needed assistance. This included a free micro loan, donations of beds and wheelchairs, and scholarships to PCC nursing students.”

I made sure to include the San Gabriel mountains since CAS services the San Gabriel Valley. Their recent expansion into the San Fernando Valley is the next chapter in their story. Coincidentally, the first ever game played at the Rose Bowl was in 1923, sharing the same centennial as CAS!