<< return to previous page
"EyeSpeak: The Leimert Park Youth Photo Project"

View photo shoot

"Eye Speak: The Leimert Park Youth Photo Project" is a digital photo project designed to teach youth residing in the Leimert Park Village area to use their creativity to effect positive change in their community. The youth will photograph images, within the Leimert Park Village, that are unique and wonderful elements specific to the Village.  From those images the participants will discuss ways to enhance the visual aesthetic of the Village.  Some of those solutions will include street lighting, sidewalk repair, green spaces, landscaping, etc.  During the workshops there will be discussions on ways to establish relationships in the public and private sector that could be essential partnerships in their goals.  The workshops are intended to engage local youth by empowering them to feel invested in their community. 

Participants will write a composition expressing what their photo images reveal. The project will involve 10 to 15 youth, ages 14 - 17 years old.  The project will serve local youth residing in the Leimert Park Village area.   The project will span 5 Saturday(s) starting April 18th to May 23th of 2009.  Workshops are 2 hours each.  At the end of the project, photo(s) images from the participants will be exhibited in the lobby of the Vision Theater along with their written composition of detailing solutions that would enhance the Village.

The proposed host venue is KAOS Network, located at 4343 Leimert Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 9008, in the heart of Leimert Park Village.  KAOS Network is a community arts center dedicated to providing training on digital arts, media arts and multi-media founded in 1984 by Ben Caldwell.  KAOS Network, a community institution where inner city youth are encouraged to express their aspirations and creativity through spoken word, film, dance, music and visual arts.  Over the past 25 years, KAOS Network has served the Leimert Park community.  KAOS Network reaches a broad audience.

Educational Benefits:

"Eye Speak: The Leimert Park Youth Photo Project" benefit is to educate youth on how their actions of employing strategies for long term goals are accomplished.  The participants will feel empowered to be part and in some cases in the forefront in setting plans to enhance and transform their community.  The youth will seek solutions and partnerships that would be beneficial in their efforts.  Through this hands on strategy the program has the potential to become a life long teaching tool for the children.

 

Youth Compositions

Leimert Park is special to me because it puts culture in everything that you see from poetry to dance. I love the way I walk in a black community
and feel safe. I love Leimert Park!
Krystal Albert


Leimert Park is important to me because it shows that it shows that black kids can do things in the community that could make a difference!
Donovan Dickson
CACLA Youth Member


Leimert Park is special because it holds a lot of history. People here tell
you the history of our people. Leimert Park is more than any other park.
Leslie James


Leimert Park is special to me because of its community pride, the colors that
you see everywhere, the closeness of the people and the happiness you see when you walk around. People are so proud of their culture. That pride truly inspires me to make all black communities as great as this one.
Amanda Jones
CACLA Youth Member


Leimert Park is important to me because it is a nice place to visit and
learn about African American culture. The people are so nice. There are shops with African art, clothing, jewelry and the food is delicious! In Leimert Park, children like me can have fun and enjoy ourselves!
Aviance Staples


Leimert Park Village is special to me because of the beautiful scenery and
all the people that are here. The festivals, music, dance and poetry!
Leimert Park Village is great!
Cinnamon Buckley


Leimert Park Village is important to me because it is a very cultural and
beautiful place. I like that we have lots of cultural celebrations which makes
us more aware of our heritage.
Anbiya Smith


Leimert Park Village is a special place for me because it is where I can
learn and create. I feel I can be my self here. Everyone is proud of this community, as I am proud of it.
Kenneth Jones
CACLA Youth Member


What Leimert Park Village means to me is a place that accentuates a great
deal of cultural and artistic freedom. It is a place full of life and joy. I am very
honored to a part of it and I hope that in the future, it keeps the heart of
the past embedded in our future.
Minkah Smith

 

return to Youth Art Program >>

 


s