Tag: Civic Center Park

The Hanzon Shrine to Humanity featured five temples built and designed by Paulo Wellman, then hand-painted and embellished with artistic symbols of the chakra system, as well as steel bells with ornate mallets for festival goers to chime.  Over 200 hand-sewn and dyed silk flags, invoking prayer flags, adorned the sanctum, while four proud hand-dyed rainbow flags crowned the perimeter.  There were also four hand-painted ‘contemplation benches’ pointed toward the beautiful shrine for festival go-ers to sit a moment and reflect upon what Gay Pride really means to us as individuals, communities, and nations.  The lavish  colors were not only eye-catching and upbeat, but also paid tribute to Gilbert Baker, the artist and gay rights activist who first designed the rainbow flag, and who passed away in March of this year.