The gallery space at the Corita Art Center opened last weekend. (rendering courtesy of Undisclosable Inc.)

Corita Art Center enjoyed its official opening in the heart of the Los Angeles Arts District on March 8. The milestone marked a new chapter in bringing the legacy of Corita Kent – a groundbreaking artist, educator and social justice advocate – into the spotlight. Often referred to as the “Pop-Art Nun,” Kent’s artwork pushed the boundaries of art and social practice. The center’s independence, new location, programming and exhibitions are focused on ensuring Kent’s place is embedded in the community and art history.

“Of the few single-artist spaces dedicated to women artists, this marks a significant milestone as Los Angeles welcomes its newest cultural space dedicated to one of its most important artists, Corita Kent. Corita was a pioneering artist who challenged societal norms, and used her creativity to inspire reflection, connection and change,” executive director Nellie Scott said. “We are honored to open our doors to serve others at a time when Los Angeles, the nation and the world need Corita’s artwork, messages and social practice the most. This inaugural exhibition is one that Los Angeles has never, until now, experienced – one that inspires new generations to see themselves as artists and changemakers.”

The inaugural exhibition, “Heroes and Sheroes,” pays homage to important figures that Kent believed inspired and uplifted society. Between 1968 and 1969, Kent produced 29 prints that she identified as “a set of heroes and sheroes.” The series represents a pivotal moment in her artistic journey, created shortly after she took a sabbatical from Immaculate Heart College and subsequently left the order of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. While Kent never directly participated in the radical activities associated with many of her contemporaries of the religious left – such as Daniel Berrigan and the Catonsville Nine – the “Heroes and Sheroes” artworks capture Kent’s evolving vision and her powerful engagement with the social and political movements of the 1960s. The prints address topics such as labor and civil rights, nuclear disarmament and political assassinations while employing imagery and language from mass media. Notable figures in this series include Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Robert F. Kennedy and Cesar Chavez.

For information, visit corita.org. Corita Art Center is located at 811 Traction Ave. No. 3a.