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# Wishes made for the ages
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/wishes-made-for-the-ages/
- Published: 2006-02-17T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T17:17:00.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Environment, Venice, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

The first leg of the I-Wish Project has come to a conclusion as a Santa Monica artist has captured wishes and images on Venice Beach for an online documentary and book. Conceptual artist and photographer Philip Warbasse said he knew he would meet some interesting people that would make for great photographs when he first decided to document people displaying their written wishes on Venice Beach. He was not prepared, however, for the emotional journey that the I-Wish Project became.

“I met so many incredible folks that left me to ponder the preconceived notions we have about one another,” said Philip Warbasse, director/photographer of the I- Wish Project. “My hope is that we can learn from each other and begin to replace some of the illogical fears we have about one another with understanding.”

The I-Wish Project was created to celebrate and document, in an unscripted setting, the common thread of hope we all share. Each participant was asked to display their wish written on a poster board as part of their portrait. They also were given an opportunity to talk about their wish, creating a multi-media presentation which may be experienced by previewing a portion of the book online at http://www.i-wish.org/bk1.html. The I-Wish Project serves to break down the stereotypes people have about one another, as well as to document and preserve the social climate of each location for generations to come.

Visitors can learn more about the concept, view a limited number of photographs from the Venice shoot and even find ways to help in the local community through the volunteer opportunities featured on the site.

“After the Venice shoot, my goal is to tour this project in select cities form the United States to Europe,” Warbasse said. “From the feedback I have received so far, I think it is really going to resonate with people from all walks of life.”

The I-Wish Project is entirely a volunteer effort. Partial proceeds from the sale of the books and T-shirts will benefit local non-profit organizations and agencies in the cities where each project is shot. Pianist jazzes it up at church

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 17, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/021706.pdf?ref=smdp.com)