|
During our Create Without Limits event, YouthBuild Charter School of California hosted a public art showcase and silent auction benefiting our Janis Matero Arts Fund, named in honor of our founder's late sister, a young artist. The event was an opportunity to celebrate the creativity and resilience of our students through an exhibition of student artwork alongside pieces donated by local artists. It brought together students, families, educators, community members, and partners who dined on the imaginative cuisine of our culinary arts students as they enjoyed the show. Attendees had a chance to participate in an interactive brick painting art project in addition to viewing all of the amazing art our students created for the event. Award-winning poet Dorothy Baressi (pictured below) and singer-songwriter Aaron Scholl (co-founder of Education is Forever with his wife and YCSC board member, Irene Hsieh), also shared their talents at the event. More than a fundraiser, Create Without Limits was an opportunity for our community to celebrate the talents of young people who have overcome significant barriers to their education and to invest in their continued success through the arts. Two young artists from our Mid-City site, Nathan and Keishari, spoke at the event about their experience at YouthBuild and the artwork they'd made for the event. Our Mid-City students also screen-printed shirts and totes with their unique designs, which were sold at the event as part of the fundraiser. Our Founder/CEO Phil Matero also shared a very touching tribute to his sister Janis, a young artist who never had a chance to realize her full potential. YCSC alumnus and Janis Matero Arts Scholarship recipient Kenny Altamirano then unveiled a beautiful portrait he had made of Janis, which he presented to Phil. There was not a dry eye in the house. Proceeds from the event will support: 1) graduating seniors who plan to pursue post-secondary education in the arts (learn more about the scholarship and Janis here), 2) arts supplies, creative technology and teacher professional development for existing and emerging classes in graphic, recording and other arts, and 3) a vocational training hub at one of our sites that is focused on the arts. Check out our more photos in our Photo Gallery! Many of these images were captured through the eyes of a student photographer -- the daughter of staff member Valencia Johnson. |
YCSC students and staff are grateful for the love, care, and sense of community we shared with our guests at CREATE WITHOUT LIMITS on Friday, October 16th. We loved seeing our guests enjoy our students' talents in visual and culinary arts, take part in interactive art experiences, and celebrate creativity together. Thanks to everyone who came out to the event; your presence helped transform our new office space into a vibrant home base for many events and gatherings to come.
Acknowledgements |
|
Create Without Limits would not have been possible without the committee that has been planning the event for several months, outside of regular responsibilities: Kenny Altamirano: Artist Support, Gallery Curation and Installation, Merch Tizoc Brenes: Staff Support, Co-Head Cheerleader Ashley Henriquez: Teacher Support, Gallery Curation, Dessert Sonia Hernandez: Finance, Co-Head Cheerleader Valencia Johnson: Teacher Support, Gallery Curation and Installation Angelique McGrue: Event Styling, Decor and Production Logistics Queen Robert Rodriguez: MC, Fundraising and Logistical Support Tzinti Aguirre-Medina: Interactive Arts Project Creator We'd also like to appreciate these folks who provided critical support the day of the event: Alicia Ayala: Co-Greeter Dorothy Baressi: Poet Emily dos Santos: Head Greeter, Logistical Support Orlando Hutcherson and culinary arts students: Appetizers & Mocktails Lorena Raya: Auction Support Aaron Scholl: Interactive Makers Music Isabel Velasquez: Event Support David Ruiz and William Zapata & LA CAUSA construction students: Interactive Art Display Builders Ryan Johnson: Photography |
|
Thank you to our Silent Auction Donors! |
|
We still need you! |
|
Create Without Limits may be over - for now! - but the Janis Matero Arts Fund continues year-round. Click here to make a donation today.
|
