Meet David Oliver of LionLike MindState in Pomona

I taught with the Prision Education Program. Teaching Poetry behind bars at Chino Men’s and Women’s Prisions, the Norco rehabilitation center for men (Norco prison) and I taught at Camp Glen Rocky Detention for boys in San Dimas. I published two original books for poetry and have four studio recorded spoken word albums. Since I closed Machine Pomona, I’ve been enjoying a career in Civil Engineering as an Inspector in the Construction field. I still teach poetry; it’s actually my 7th year returning as an art consultant for the Ontario Montclair School District. LionLike MindState has been doing pop up shows and short series around town.

LionLike MindState is 11years old now and is now Partnered with the Pomona Fairplex and the Historic Millard Sheets Art Center providing a free monthly show at the Pomona Fairplex. Along with a free art workshops for the kids during the show, the whole family can enjoy a night of art and enrichment together. Our next show is Sept 27th. A $360 winner take all cash slam.

I’m also On the Pomona Arts and Culture Citizens Advisory Committee.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The year before I started Machine Pomona was still very much a recession and I lost my job. So being an artist I took all the money I had and I Bet on BLACK. I bought all the copies of my first book I could afford and packed two bags. I had set some shows up in the Bay Area and I wasn’t sure when I’d be coming back. Welp…two days before I was to leave my transmission on my car went out. I was stuck and disappointed. I made 7k the year before I opened Machine Pomona.

I opened Machine Pomona with three partners. But the time the third month came around, I was the last man standing. The bills and the risk was too real for the others. But it was mainly my idea and really, it was my last shot. I put all I had into with no backup plans. They all had their families they still lived with and other careers. I had to make it work. I worked a graveyard shift at a warehouse, an opening shift at a restaurant, I taught in Prisions twice a week and I worked shows at the fox theatre as a barback on the weekends. That first year I worked 18-20 hours a day and six days a week and on my 7th day, I’d build and work on my Machine. But I did it. Top to bottom I made it new. I redid the floors, took the popcorn off the ceiling, removed walls and opened the space, put a new sink and toilet, painted the whole exterior and interior (twice) hell I even did some light electrical work. Smh.

During the third year I got arrested on a warrant for a ticket I paid the year before. This was two days before Thanksgiving and my stepfather was in hospice. I didn’t get out due to the holiday until the following Tuesday. Upon touchdown to back to Pomona, I found not only were things mismanaged while I was gone; everything was in disarray, my power was off, I had to immediately attend my step Father’s funeral and I lost my job. But I made it thru and Machine lasted thanks to determination and the community.

Please tell us about LionLike MindState.
LionLike MindState has a motto which sets out intention. “Consistent – Conscious – BOLD” to be consistent in our actions and who we are – to be conscious of our actions and who we are – to the Bold in our actions and who we are.

LionLike is different from other poetry venues and art collectives in the sense that not only are we not afraid to put our money down and build and hold our own space but we’ve done it more than once and in more than one way.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My mentors. Besskepp and Shihan. My team. Treesje Powersy Co-host and friend of 22 years. Ces One our DJ and for encouraging me to come back. Adrienne Reed y’all might recognize her from brunch to bomb but before that she was busy not being a poet helping run our poetry venue. Dana Love cause she squad. Shelley Bruce and Tony Koehl our in house Artists.

Contact Info:

• Address: Millard Sheets Art Center at the Pomona Fairplex. 1101 McKinley, Pomona. Gate
• Website: Theartofdavidjudah.com
• Phone: 9512044707
• Email: [email protected]