Desert Sun: Program helps kids bring community into focus

Venice Arts

Palm Springs' newspaper, the Desert Sun, published this web video story about the Coachella photography project being led by Venice Arts.

Excerpts from the article, which was published today:

“If you want to make a community better, then first you have to understand the things that need to be improved in a community, and they're learning this first-hand via taking pictures,” said Quinton Egson, chief professional officer for the Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley.

The eastern Coachella Valley is just one of eight communities chosen to participate in the statewide project, which is part of the California Endowment Build a Healthy Community Initiative, Egson said.

For 16-year-old Thania Espinoza of Coachella, the project is her opportunity to share her heritage with other people.

On Thursday, she was one of three students led by professional photographer/project instructor Doug McCulloh who photographed date farming.

“It's really important for people to know that this is still a big part of how Coachella works,” Thania said, referring to the leading crop in the valley's agricultural industry.

Photographing her grandfather, 61-year-old Joaquin Espinoza, harvesting dates at Sunwest Farms in Thermal, Thania hopes others will understand the labor involved in bringing fresh produce to the table.

“We should let people know that this isn't just something easy you could do. It takes hard work and dedication,” she said. “This is how we were brought up and it's important that everyone knows that this is what Coachella is about.”

Click here to see the full article.

Posted Friday, April 09, 2010 at 9:45PM | Leave a comment

The Creation

Genevieve

In the exhibit, I really enjoyed the drawings and how he combined both the biblical episodes and his style. I have very little knowledge of the bible and it's characters. My favorite part was not necessarily as specific story, but the part after Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden. All of Adam and Eve's immediate descendants were described and I find family trees very interesting so I guess that kind of related. There wasn't exactly a protagonist, but "the better" son in each family acted as that and the antagonist was the bad seed brother. Seeing the good and bad in each character despite their role, was my favorite part. I also really liked that this genealogy linked all the characters together for the rest of the stories (at least as far as I read).

Posted Saturday, December 05, 2009 at 11:58AM | Leave a comment

Community Center

molly

Last thursday, instead of going to my usual volunteer hours at the gallery, I went to the Vera Davis center to help with filing. It was really cool working in a different setting. I love both the gallery and the community center for different reasons.
In the gallery and office, I feel there is a "casual professional" feeling to it--if that is a term. It is really cool being so close to so much equipment and being able to take inventory and see what each student gets to handle (with a little jealousy perhaps). It is also really col in the gallery because I get t talk to Cathy who is always super friendly and patient with me when I have questions. I also come in during the times that one of the classes is going on, and I really love to watch and hear Deanna work with the students. The relationship between student and teacher is really unique and cool, because though there are guided assignments and Deanna does have some authority, it also plays out more like a hang out session, or a friendly group coming to meet and discuss art. I think the respect each person receives is something that is really unique and very special to watch.
The community center was also pleasant to work in. Roz, who was the one I was helping that day was so welcoming, and a fellow UC student! What also made the center magic for me was that it was not just a place for Venice Arts, but for other programs as well as other people of the Venice community. It was nice, while matching names with files to also watch the people coming in and out of the center and to hear people greet each other. Right before I left, I took a few minutes to see all of the flyers, sheets and bulletin boards that litter the place. It makes me hopeful when I see places such as the Vera Davis Community Center that provides a place for programs, classes, supplies and support for people of the community. As one who works in and is interested in working to create more education and programs for communities as my future, I get happy when I see places like these. Of course, we just need more! And it is great the Venice Arts is able to take a part in that

Posted Sunday, April 04, 2010 at 10:09PM | Leave a comment