By Daily Press staff
The Los Angeles Times Family Fund (LATFF) and the Starbucks Foundation have recently awarded $25,000 and $20,000, respectively, to support Venice Arts’ innovative Art Mentoring program for low–income youth. The Art Mentoring program offers intensive, long-term mentoring at ratios of 1:1 to 1:3 and provides opportunities for advanced participants to use Venice Arts’ digital labs, darkroom, equipment and gallery.
Support from LATFF and Starbucks will nurture young people such as sisters Francesca and Alex Thomas, who joined Venice Arts’ programs nearly two years ago. Francesca said, “I used to wonder what I was going to be good at. Now I found it: darkroom. I found my niche.” Her goal is to be “the best printer ever. I’m getting better and better…” So good, in fact, that during the spring she worked as a Youth Art Mentor (YAM) and, this Fall, will be the first young person to fill a newly expanded YAM position. About mentoring Francesca said, “It’s cool working with (Lead Photographer) Joanne, teaching other kids what I know… and being in charge.”
Francesca has come a long way in the nearly two years since she, Alex and their mother moved from South L.A. to Venice. Until that time, the girls hadn’t had much exposure to the arts. However, when they learned about the opportunity with Venice Arts during a presentation at church, Alex said, “Photography was the first thing that caught my ear. From there we knew we would sign up.” Now, they are dedicated young artists who, between them, have taken more than 20 classes including digital arts and film with photography remaining their passion.
They are particularly moved by documentary photography and think it is an important way to expose world problems.“I used to think that artists didn’t matter,” Alex said. “But then I learned you can…really make a difference. When I started (at Venice Arts) I thought photography would be a fun hobby, but now it’s a big part of who I am.” She describes how she used to look for a pretty picture, but now she looks for the best image.
Venice Arts considers foundation supporters such as LATFF and the Starbucks Foundation — as well as corporations, individuals and the public sector — as partners in making a difference in young people’s lives.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 14, 2006. Read the original PDF.