It’s time to #AwakenDelridge
Two years ago, I embraced the role of Director at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center because, for one, I saw the incredible opportunity for collaboration.
Nowhere else in Seattle will you find, under one roof, affordable artist housing, nonprofit offices, an alternative high school, and rentable activity, performance, and meeting spaces for the community. Youngstown is the artistic and cultural hub of Delridge, and a nationally acclaimed model of integrated services.
Two years in and counting, I continue to feel of service to the incredible Delridge community. A big focus of the work we’re doing, in collaboration with our tenant organizations and other partners, is building arts programming for underserved and at-risk youth throughout Delridge and West Seattle.
This summer, we completed the 3-phase Delridge Mural Project, employing 8 youth from Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, and 2 professional teaching artists, to design and paint the 210-foot retaining wall at Youngstown across from the Delridge Skate Park. A community-driven design process resulted in a mural that tells a story of the Duwamish River, environmental justice, and the growth of Seattle. Youth involved in the project incorporated design input from community members, and most of what you now see on the wall came from youth participants’ design ideas. It was a remarkable process with an outstanding outcome.
The completed mural is entitled “Awaken”.
We invite you to be a part of the continuing collaborative efforts at DNDA and Youngstown, and to join our campaign that will raise awareness as well as funds needed for us to continue our work in the corridor.
#AwakenDelridge is a community-inspired movement that needs your support.
The goals of this campaign are to:
- Build more programming for Delridge youth;
- Increase resources and services for the community;
- And raise awareness of the proud cultural diversity and history of Delridge.
We want to do more. And we can’t do this without you.
If you’re inspired by this mission, please consider a donation to the #AwakenDelridge movement. Think big. Your gift will make a huge impact in extending our reach, and by giving generously you will inspire others to join us. Further, your generosity allows us to innovate, building on the collective power at Youngstown to grow new programming and expand the resources we offer.
As director, I look forward to leading the charge to make the mission of #AwakenDelridge a reality. Together, and with your support, I know we will make a huge difference in the future of this unique and incredible place.
With gratitude,
David Bestock
Director, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
www.youngstownarts.org/support/awaken-delridge