PYFC Mural Schedule as of 12/19

Yesterday we had a meeting with Johnny at PYFC. We discussed the calendar and timing of the mural classes and when they would start. We also compiled the list of kids who were interested in participating in the mural class. We plan to start calling them to remind them of the class start date on December 28, 2009. We are going to make three rounds of the calls to notify them of the class schedule. We are providing food and refreshments at the first class. Youngsters will be joining us from different areas of the southern Santa Monica/Venice communities. Please see the following calendar and course outline above.

Green Ambassadors featured at 18th St. exhibition opening

Great news, we are so fortunate to have the Green Ambassadors collaborate with us. Two seniors, Rudy Sanchez, and Jordan Howard attend the Environmental Charter High School in Lawndale. These senior Green Ambassadors will collaborate with us by educating the general public regarding plastic pollution, the night of the exhibition opening. Please see the Green Ambassador web site at the link below.

http://greenambassadors.org/main/

December 11, 2009

Gabi brought the DVD documentary "Style Wars", which shows tagging and wall art in New York City.  Kids at the PYFC watched intermittently while working on a hip hop Christmas song.  She was able to engage a few kids in a conversation about expressing their voice on a permitted surface such as our plans for the mural in contrast to spray painting on subway trains.  Yolanda and Oscar were interested in emphasizing expression in lawful channels, and plan to show the documentary again. 

Approximately 10 to 15 kids have signed up for the mural class and hip hop song we are facilitating.   

Still recruiting!!

Dave went to PYFC on Thurs 12/10 and met with Jose. He is a senior at Olympic High School and loves to draw abstracted lettering. Gabi is going to PYFC on Fri 12/11 to connect with youngsters and present the historical graffiti film "Style Wars".

PYFC Mural Proposal Accepted

We presented our proposal to teach a mural painting class which includes a collaborative final mural project within the public realm focused on environmental justice and single use plastics. The mural location is near (Pico&Lincoln). We also plan to create a hip hop song that informs its listeners based on the same theme as the mural. We have posted flyers and sign up sheets at PYFC and Santa Monica H.S. The open enrollment will come to a close on Dec. 18th. We will then contact the interested youngsters and inform them of our first introductory meeting where we will present to them the calendar and curriculum.

11/20

Crossroads-Learning Experience: Even with hard work and sincere effort, collaborative work within communities does not always come to fruition. Unfortunately, the Crossroads component of our project has ended.

PYFC-We are currently promoting our mural class. We created a flyer that will hopefully attract a large group of youngsters.

11/6 PYFC

Gabi and Erik 11/6

Friday 11/6-8 PYFC

Friday evening Gabi and I went to PYFC to meet with Johnny(Coordinator) & youngsters. We were very sad to learn that earlier this week on Tues, a member of the PYFC community had been murdered at another youth based community center also located in Santa Monica. We joined the PYFC community and helped create posters advertising a fundraiser that was held on Sunday the 8th in the form of a car wash. David volunteered for an hour supporting the fundraiser....an amazing outcome! We also have an appointment scheduled on Tues 11/10 to present our project proposal.

Algalita Marine Research Foundation presenting @ Crossroads School of Arts and Sciences NOVEMBER 24th

I have been corresponding with Crossroads School of Art and Sciences to work out the logistics of the having an assembly given by Algalita on campus. The assembly is scheduled for November 24, 2009. We are also working with the Middle School to facilitate an art project on campus. We will keep you in informed.

http://www.algalita.org/

photo courtesy of: John Cancalosi (photo library)

Friday Oct 30th PYFC

Friday Oct 30th PYFC

Friday Oct 30th PYFC

Mini Lesson on Typeface design with Erik. A strategy to prepare him for the "VPC 2009 Youth Resource Fair art contest on Nov. 7th.

PYFC Dia de los Muertos Altar

Icebreaker with PYFC

Gabrielle & Dave's initial meeting with the youngsters of Pico Youth and Family Center. The kids signed their names and drew a symbol as a "get to know you" strategy, then placed skull candy as an offering to their Dia de los Muertos altar. The candy was created by the 1st year Otis Public Practice grad students .

Mission Statement

Gabrielle Levine and David Russell will attempt to facilitate a dialogue between two local community based organizations paired with two youth based organizations. Algalita Marine Research Foundation will present a program to Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences, and Surfrider Foundation will present a program to the Pico Youth and Family Center. An exhibition at the 18^th Street Art Center will serve as a communication forum where youths from each group can utilize their creative voice to express their environmental concerns about plastic pollution in the community at large. The future generation of Santa Monica will create art projects that demonstrate their understanding of the environmental repercussions of single use plastics in our ocean. The visual presentation of ocean pollution, comprised of plastic objects and documentation materials displayed in the gallery, will visually influence its viewers to incorporate sustainability into their daily lives.

The Beginning...