This was a huge project that required codification and a viable plan for implementation. At the end of 2012, I launched the Virtual Redevelopment project in conjunction with the relaunch of Watts House Project 2.0. Thanks to new technology provided by Verold Studio, the VRD allowed us to render individual homes in Watts in 3D. The virtual models...
GET UP 2 GET DOWN was one of my favorite programs at Watts House Project. I produced Get Up 2 Get Down to serve as a community beautification effort organized in conjunction with short live performances in the area around the Watts Towers...and I conceptualized this program with a wonderful lady and good friend, Sara...
This was the second project I organized at WHP as part of the Virtual Redevelopment project. The Sanchez family moved to Watts in 1993. As immigrants, Carlos Sanchez and Juana Breseña met in the United States, married, and moved to the area where they had three children. The family recalled Watts in the 90s as a difficult place...
Here's another project I initiated and managed at WHP as part of the Virtual Redevelopment project. The owner of the home, Jose Villegas, has lived in Watts for 20 years. Jose, affectionately called “El Chon” by his friends and family, moved to the U.S. when he was only 16. He recalled that as a...
Simply put, Thursday Mornings was a series of weekly summer breakfasts for the community and invitations were open to all residents. I launched Thursday Mornings to bring neighbors from other blocks together with the neighbors around the Towers and just start a dialog. The inspiration for this program was, in part, based on my greater understanding of the dynamics of Watts...
[Context to these programs in lieu of critiques by the press and others of WHP: Watts Towers Art Center hosted excellent art programs for children during the summer months but, given the limited space and the additional children bused in from outside of the area, many children in the neighborhood were not allowed to participate. This...
[Context to these programs in lieu of critiques by the press and others of WHP: Watts Towers Art Center hosted excellent art programs for children during the summer months but, given the limited space and the additional children bused in from outside of the area, many children in the neighborhood were not allowed to participate. This...
[Context to these programs in lieu of critiques by the press and others of WHP: Watts Towers Art Center hosted excellent art programs for children during the summer months but, given the limited space and the additional children bused in from outside of the area, many children in the neighborhood were not allowed to participate. This...
