Public Art: The HeArt Project / Man One

Based in Los Angeles, The HeArt Project creatively links overlooked teenagers in alternative high schools with professional artists, cultural centers, and communities to imagine, produce and present new work. The organization believes that overlooked young people are extraordinarily creative, that artists are a significant civic resource, and that their ideas, collaborations and work benefit the entire culture. 

(Left to right: Man One, A student presents a portrait of Tejana singer Selena, at the Getty Center, created as a group project during a workshop series with Man One.)

Each year The HeArt Project hosts its annual evening of art benefit to raise funds and awareness for the organization’s comprehensive arts programs through an exhibition of student work, a silent auction and special presentations to honorees made by HeArt Project students. This year’s event, on May 15, 2008, will feature one special honoree, the beloved International Muralist, Graffiti Artist, HeArt Project Artist Instructor and local Los Angeles Art Activist, Man One. Some folks know him for his downtown LA graffiti outpost/store/art gallery, Crewest, and others, like the HeArt Project students, also know him for his stature as a muralist in their own communities and city. The Crewest gallery philosophy to “cater to art that speaks to the heart and soul as well as the mind,” is also clearly evident in Man One’s dedication to arts education via the HeArt Project.

(Man One and the students of Amelia Earhart High School on a field trip to the artist’s gallery and one of his murals.)

Since 1992, in partnership with institutions and professional artists, The HeArt Project has served as a pathway for its students to move from dropping out of high school to re-engaging in their education, lives, and futures. The HeArt Project operates at 24 sites on a conceptual “ladder” philosophy, offering students the opportunity to advance through four levels of increasingly advanced arts programs – workshops and public presentations, after-school residencies and leadership training, scholarships to art programs for high school students at local colleges, and alumni support. Support strategies at each level, help students “climb” the ladder while exploring opportunities in the arts, working toward high school graduation, and transitioning into post-secondary education.

For more information on the HeArt Project fundraiser location, sponsorship, tickets, and silent auction, visit www.theheartproject.org or contact Suzy Foster at (213) 744-1404 / suzy@theheartproject.org.