Through the Boys & Girls Club of Venice Fine Arts program, Club members take away creative skills that help them in standardized test-taking, in their school work, as well as in providing a foundation for further art study should they choose to pursue it, through the experience of making art and being mentored by an adult who is a working art professional. Drawing, sketching, clay, crayon, watercolor, oil pastel, collage, diorama, pen and ink, and mixed media are covered during the year. Exhibitions are mounted quarterly and parents and community members attend.

Eduardo “Lalo” Marquez, our Art Director, is the primary mentor to many of our at risk young people. He grew up on the streets of Watts where he was a former tag artist himself, and is passionate about teaching how to use art as a means of expressing the pain of growing up poor, as well as fostering the talent of those who have the ability to make visual art a career.

We are proud to say that the Boys & Girls Clubs of America selected two Venice Club members’ pieces for the 2007 National Fine Arts Exhibit.  Guillermo Sanchez’s Devils Rage in Oil/Acrylic and Jun Cha’s Katrina were selected along with 37 other pieces of works for the National Exhibit from thousands submitted by aspiring young artists in Clubs across the nation. The National Fine Arts Exhibit will be displayed at various Boys & Girls Clubs of America conferences. The artwork, along with other winners will be viewed by hundreds of conference delegates throughout the year. In addition, the image will be placed on www.bgca.org in our virtual gallery for future viewing.

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SUPPORT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF VENICE ART CENTER RENOVATION PROJECT

CLICK THE “DONATE” BUTTON ON THIS PAGE to become a project partner. The renovation design was completed by a team of students from FIDM, and led by nationally known interior designer Richard Herb. The team completed the design work pro bono, and the first phase of construction is almost complete thanks to a generous donation from the Ahmanson Foundation. We are currently in need of gap funding to complete the project.

click here to view renovation plans (.pdf)

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Club Participates in South LA Mural Project
(click on the image to view all images)

The mural was designed by club art director Lalo Marquez

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2007 Spring Canvas Project
Boys & Girls Club of Venice Art Center
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Life by Hernan R. (Age 16)