On Jan 14 the Youth Arts Festival (3-5 pm) kicked off the launch of a brand new center for expression and empowerment of Oakland-area youth.

The Green Youth Art & Media Center (2781 Telegraph, Oakland) focuses on the idea that “urban youth, if supported by a positive, dedicated and creative community, can fulfill their dreams and help lead a movement across the nation for urban revitalization and holistic health.”

Here's a taste of the preparations for this event...

“Just a little higher,” Desi W.O.M.E instructs. A few sentences back into his conversation he breaks again, “no not on the green,” he advises.

It's 6:15 and artist and teacher Desi is working with nine youths on a mural that will cover the 3,000-square-foot building. The back and forth between explaining the projects associated with the new Green Youth Art & Media Center, and guiding the young artists continues throughout the interview.

His tone is encouraging, his vibe is optimistic, and his level of anticipation is high as they prepare for the January 14th grand opening of the center, which was primarily funded by lead grants from the Black Eyed Peas' Peapod Foundation (a Charitable Services Fund of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, with support from the Adobe Foundation) and the city of Oakland. The Center's fundraising drive is in full swing as the team aims to meet its annual operating expenses of $400,000.

The Green Youth Art & Media Center is built around the idea that “urban youth, if supported by a positive, dedicated and creative community, can fulfill their dreams and help lead a movement across the nation for urban revitalization and holistic health.”

Open daily from 2pm-8pm, GYMC boasts a ton of programs that fall in line with their vision statement. Geared towards engaging youth in areas such as music, theatre, and dance, the programs and workshops are free.

Due the large number of people interested an application process has been established, but a quick stop by the facility gets it taken care of and allows access to four state of the art music studios, gardening classes, and job training.

While the center is new, it is a collaborative effort from groups that have been working in Oakland for years. The combined history of Art in Action, theater group Colored Ink, and The Community Rejuvenation Project , which transforms blighted areas of Oakland via artwork, enables the youth and organizers involved to draw on a very large extended network, a vital resource for any organization.

Plus the center’s emphasis on being eco-conscious (check the bamboo flooring, recycled building materials, and green job training) ensures longevity as communities move towards healthier living practices.

“If you are not familiar with us the grand opening is an opportunity to learn about the services we provide,” explains Desi. But he points out that the opening is less about the center and more about celebrating who and what has made the opening possible.

“We are not having a grand opening to honor ourselves. We are following the traditions of hip-hop and activism, so we want to pay homage to those that came before us.”


January 14, 2010
Youth Arts Festival: 3pm -5pm
Ribbon cutting: 5pm
Artists showcase and live painting: 5:30pm -7pm
Green Youth Arts & Media Center
2781 Telegraph, Oakland, CA