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Artist Spotlight Franc Monke Blog Post Feature Image

Artist Spotlight: EcoArts with Franc Monke

Franc Monke, a nature-based artist, is teaching a new EcoArts class at Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association’s (DNDA) Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, based in West Seattle. Franc has dedicated their artistic journey to intertwining art and community, and we wanted to tell a sliver of their story for this month’s “Artist Spotlight.” Franc was exposed to…

Proyecto Saber’s mural in front of Denny International Middle School in West Seattle. Photo by Proyecto Saber.

Nurturing Our Neighborhoods: Proyecto Saber’s mural of resilience

When Albert Albanes heard Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) launched applications for arts and culture grants to fund local initiatives, he was thrilled to apply. Albert and his team in the Proyecto Saber program at Denny International Middle School were looking for grants to develop a cultural arts project for Latinx students. “We wanted to…

The new Sheila Brown Gateway leading into Camp Long at 29th Avenue SW and SW Brandon Street.

Camp Long Gateway Project: Honoring the life of Sheila Brown

Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) is happy to share with our community that the Sheila Brown Gateway Project at Camp Long is open for visitors! The construction project honors Sheila Brown, who served as the director of Camp Long for 13 years. The gateway, which leads into the park, was funded through a community donation…

Elementary school students walking along Longfellow Creek in West Seattle, recording day, time, temperature, and precipitation to learn about water moments.

Reflecting on October STEAM lessons for youth

This year, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association’s (DNDA) fall STEAM lessons reached 120 students through September and October — nearly as many students as we typically serve in a whole year! October’s “Watershed Wonders” nature workshops were a hit with the kids. “I didn’t realize water was all around us!” one student said. Jules Hepp, DNDA’s…

Digital architectural model of a renovated Thelma Dewitty Theater. Assessment, model, and image by ORA Architects.

Behind the scenes of renovations at the historic Youngstown Cultural Arts Center

In October, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) began heavily anticipated renovations on our home at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, located in Delridge, Seattle. The construction follows an architectural needs assessment of the 100-year-old building. The major projects include upgrading the kitchen for commercial use, replacing part of the roof and HVAC units, restoring settling slab,…

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A productive fall Duwamish Alive!

On Saturday, October 21, we hosted nearly 60 volunteers at Pigeon Point Park in the West Duwamish Greenbelt in West Seattle, our biggest event in years for Duwamish Alive! Duwamish Alive! is a regional day of service that brings together hundreds of volunteers to more than a dozen sites throughout the Green-Duwamish Watershed to improve…

Jules teaching art to youth at Croft Place Townhomes, part of DNDA’s affordable housing program, in 2019.

Artist Spotlight: EcoArts with Jules Hepp

Before joining Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) as staff, Jules Hepp worked with us as a teaching artist throughout the coronavirus pandemic. To celebrate Jules’ one-year anniversary with DNDA as our environmental education coordinator, we want to look back at their time as a teaching artist for this month’s installment of “Artist Spotlight.” Jules followed…

NewHolly youth and head coach Elemo taking a break during soccer practice. Photo credit to Intercity Soccer League.

Smiles and Scores: Reflecting on fall soccer in NewHolly

When DNDA’s summer programs for youth started wrapping up earlier this year, our Art and Neighborhood teams were committed to keeping DNDA’s soccer program running for as long as the weather would allow. Our evening soccer program in NewHolly — part of DNDA’s Summer Youth Program (SYP) — was well-loved by the community, with strong…

Wine in the Woods hosted in garden in West Seattle.

Reflecting on Wine in the Woods 2023

A reflection dreamt and written by Mesha Florentino, DNDA’s Co-Executive Director of Housing & Finance. As the last echoes of laughter fade and the stars take their places in the night sky, we pause to reflect on an evening that we will forever hold close to our hearts — Wine in the Woods. The early…