Visual Arts Programs - Take Heart
"A picture tells a thousand stories," is very true for the troubled youth that we serve. Through drawing, painting, collages, photography, graphic design and ceramics, high-risk youth can find release from their traumatic experiences by using the visual arts for expression. At the end of the programs, the kids have lasting souvenirs that they can share with their families and friends. We provide them with opportunities to publicly exhibit and sell their artwork.
Featured Program: Lennox Park Community Mural A Big Success
We're excited about our Create A Mural Now workshop that was just celebrated at Lennox Park. On August 26th, members of the Lennox community gathered in front of our spectacular mural called “Lennox Past, Present and Future.”
The presentation included Russ Guiney and Joe Mendoza of the Department of Parks and Recreation, Laura Zucker of the L.A. County Arts Commission and Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas of the Second District, who cut a ribbon with help from some of the kids who created the mural. Create Now Founder and Executive Director Jill Gurr also spoke, followed by our artist mentor Roger Dolin.
Our mentors worked with local children and adults in the Lennox community to create a 1,200 square foot mural of their neighborhood in the future. Virtually every image originates from one of the over 80 drawings produced by Lennox community members. Around 30 youth between the ages of 6 and 20 years were dedicated to designing and painting their vision of Lennox, with over 100 people of all ages helping out.
12-year-old Angel said, “Everybody helped and it was teamwork. My favorite part was painting the spaceship.”
This project was initiated in May 2010 thanks to support from Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.
Featured Program: Incarcerated Girls Find Relief Through Arts
For the second year, Create Now has been able to provide teenage girls who are locked up at Camp Joseph Scott in Saugus with Introduction to Art Workshops. We have just completed the first of two intensive programs, where the girls learn how to draw, paint, sculpt and then set up their own art exhibition.
The classes started in mid-April with mentor Corinne Mazzola, who was very popular when she taught three of these workshops in 2009. Unfortunately, she had to leave due to a family emergency. Artist Leslie Halberg stepped in and the workshops have continued running smoothly. “I see our role as showing off the world, making it easier to choose wisely, and how rewarding personal achievement can be. It makes all the difference to have an adult there to point out possible answers that work for that particular kid at her particular time.”
Each Saturday afternoon, the girls gather in a comfy room where they quickly become engrossed in their arts projects. They’ve drawn elaborate patterns and done contour drawings. Experimenting with different painting techniques and molding clay, they are learning how to express themselves in a creative manner that allows them to release pent-up tension. Read more about the Workshops at Camp Scott...
Read about some of our recent Featured Programs
Troubled Girls Open Up Through Arts
Arts Calm Down Teens
A Jungle Story
Fine Art Inspires Foster Kids
Girls’ Detention Facility - Your Donations at Work
Create Now Youth Give Peace a Chance
Women's Shelter of Long Beach
Upward Bound
Special thanks to the sponsors of our Take Heart program
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Kaiser Permanente Foundation.