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Venice Arts’ Founder Lynn Warshafsky 

Today the Venice Paparazzi “Pass the Spotlight” shines on Venice Arts‘ Founder Lynn Warshafsky.

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How many years in Venice?  Most of my life! (40+ years)

Tell us about your art or company. What makes it awesome?  
Venice Arts is a media-based (photography, film, multimedia) nonprofit organization that primarily works with low-income kids, although we also have a series of public programs—including exhibitions and film screenings—and consult with other nonprofits, foundations, and others locally and around the world on community-engaged (“participatory”) storytelling, our unique arts education model that centers creative learning in youth development, and more.  Our programs are free to low-income kids—95% of whom we serve—and just over 50% still live in Venice or nearby neighbors. The remainder come from throughout Los Angeles—to us a testament to how unique our model is and how deep the impacts of our programs.  2018 is our 25th anniversary. We are so proud of this achievement!
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How did you get into?  I am one of the founders and have been Venice Arts’ long-time executive director. Venice Arts wove together some key threads in my life: My love of photography, my commitment to equity—shaped in my childhood be my parents—and my background in psychology and understanding of the potentially transformative power of storytelling.
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What projects are you currently working on?  Supporting the growth of our Creative Pathways program, led by the wonderful filmmaker and educator, Carly Short and providing low-income kids close mentoring and support for college and creative careers.
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What accomplishments are you most proud of?   25 years, not bad, eh?
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What advice would you give someone starting out in your field?  Co-create with people whose skills and traits compliment your own. You need entrepreneurial drive, passion for mission, commitment, and business savvy to sustain a nonprofit organization. Don’t sacrifice one for the other—all are important.
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Favorite affirmation, mantra, or quote:  “How should we know ourselves, except in the clarifying mirror of some other gaze?” – Mark Doty, Poet
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Favorite book, band or movie?   Hard to say. Avid reader in particular.  Fiction, (good) memoir, non-fiction when the prose is so beautiful you think you’re reading fiction, poetry.
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What do you do on your days off?   How do you treat yourself?  Work. Garden. Ride my bike. Cook.
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Finish off the statement “Life is… complicated, nuanced, difficult to decipher.
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What causes do you support?  
  • Venice Arts
  • Southern Poverty Law Center
  • Planned Parenthood.
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Describe Venice:  A mythos. Walk streets, canals, the beach, view of the Santa Monica mountains. You can’t argue living a 10 minute walk from the beautiful Pacific coast!
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What are some interesting destinations/activities in Venice that even locals might not be aware of?  The pocket park on Nowita walk street and off of Shell Circle. 
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What is your craziest or fondest Venice experience?  Its been a long time here—too many too tell.
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Who should Venice Paparazzi cast the spotlight on next?  Gigi McCreery
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FAN AND FOLLOW LYNN and  VENICE ARTS!

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Art Saves Lives photo by Venice Arts’ student Justin.

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Support Venice Arts!   For more information, to donate or volunteer, visit www.venicearts.org
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