How I See It — My Place
Woodcrest
Celeste and Clarissa consider the mysteries of an abandoned lot.
Jonathan Cabanas, 6th grade
Daniel Granados, Project Leader
Photographer and project leader enjoy the exhibit opening.
A young explorer uses the afternoon sun as a tool.
Photographers sat down to edit and discuss their photos after each week’s field work.
Jonathan Cabanas, 6th grade
Jonathan Cabanas studies the details of a roadside flower.
Adan Carbajal, 8th grade
Adan focuses on his shot.
Behind the Scenes
The Woodcrest Library is located at 106th Street and Normandie Avenue in unincorporated South Los Angeles. The library serves the Westmont and West Athens communities. In an area impacted by crime and gang activity, the library acts as a safe haven for youth seeking an after school location to study and find entertainment. The youth of this neighborhood face adversity on a daily basis. Economic hardship is commonplace and violence in local schools is a constant reality. There is very limited access to technology as the majority of local homes do not have computers or internet access. With gang activity and crime ever-present in the community, programs such as How I See It: My Place are vital in providing a creative outlet that builds a sense of pride and community.
We met at the Woodcrest Library every Wednesday afternoon for the course of a summer. Our teens took over 2,000 pictures during the excursions. We ventured North and South on Normandie Ave within one half mile of the library. A wandering group of photographers was a sight unseen in the area. Making our excursions at the same time each week began to turn suspicious looks one day into friendly waves the next.
Chinanell Jones, 8th grade
Chinanell uses an everyday object to help take her photo.
Each excursion showed us something new, even when we retraced familiar territory. One of our more interesting finds was an abandoned building which we discovered was an old office for the Department of Public Works where local residents could come and make payments. We discovered county codes on the street signs of unincorporated areas, memorial plaques to fallen county fire dogs, and flight paths to LAX.
Jonathan Cabanas, 6th grade
Adan Carbajal, 8th grade
Field work on Normandie Ave.
Near the end of our project, the Woodcrest library was closed for remodeling. We were forced to find a new home to finish our project and present our exhibit. Our final three meetings were conducted at Helen Keller Park, approximately 2 miles from the Woodcrest Library. Moving beyond walking distance of several participants’ homes proved to be quite a challenge. We were eventually able to complete our project and host the exhibit’s opening event at the park.
Jonathan Cabanas, 6th grade
Adan Carbajal, 8th grade
Photographers edit their work.
It was remarkable to see the youth participants realize the quality of work that was in their grasp. None of our participants had any experience putting publishing their work and putting together a public exhibit. Seeing the individuality and creativity brought forth in their work gave a great sense of accomplishment.
This project served to unite a group of young teens from different backgrounds growing up in one shared community. We all learned to look a little closer at the world that surrounds us. While we may become accustomed to our harsh surroundings, beauty can be concealed in the most unlikely of places.
— Daniel Granados, Project Director
