The Transit Center, A Social Mixer
This past Saturday, March 30, one of our board members, Javier Guzman generously hosted a a social mixer event for The Transit Center at his house. The purpose of the event; to get more people involved in our arts based non-profit. And I have to say that every single person I met this weekend was awesome!! They were all conscientious, passionate, soulful people, ready and willing to help at-risk youth in their creative endeavors.
Javier, who I admire for his work as a high school principal, educator and writer began our event speaking about why he believes in The Transit Center’s vision. He spoke about 1970’s New York and how at the time the term “bomber” was prominently used for youth who practiced graffiti art but never displayed in art galleries. These youth, who were predominantly people of color considered themselves true street artists but were never recognized as such. As Javier spoke, I thought about the many Mexican and Central American students I taught in East Los Angeles just five years ago. They too loved graffiti art and but the difference with these youth is that not one thought they could someday be considered real artists. They lacked confidence, conditioned by a school system that does not value art.
Luis, our founder continued the conversation, describing himself as a “bomber” youth and spoke about how that later served as inspiration to start The Transit Center, a place where youth can not only have creative freedom of expression, but a future as working artists.
Sharmila Devar, our other board member and talented actor spoke about the need for mentors. She admitted that if she, herself had not had a mentor that encouraged and guided her, she wouldn’t have moved to Los Angeles to start her career. “It makes a huge difference,” she said. I could not agree more.
Sharmila Devar supporting The Transit Center.
I admit, that if Luis and I had had a mentor that held our hands and nourished our souls in our creative journey’s, the bumps along the road would not have been as difficult and frustrating as they were and as they can still be. But it is because of these bumps that Luis and I want to mentor youth. The life of an artist can be lonely and misunderstood. A good and caring mentor can smooth out these bumps thereby empowering youth to keep moving forward with confidence, remembering that their love of art is what really matters at the end of the day.
Jennifer C. Fuentes
Ana Rivas, Transit Center student sketching away.
THE TRANSIT CENTER 