¡Arte Libre! at Plaza 16
A Free Fiesta of Mission Art and Public Space
Friday, October 6, 2006
Noon-5:00 pm
Plaza 16 (16th Street BART Station, 16th and Mission Streets, San Francisco, CA 94110)
Free and open to the public
Full Article by Christine Wong Yap - October 7th, 2007
Photo Gallery
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Marshall Elementary School--all 210 children and 18 teachers--kicked off Arte Libre by singing "This Land is Your Land." They also presenting the song in sign language. Download JPG (1600x1200 pixels / 452 kb) |
Marshall Elementary School students presented "This Land is Your Land" in sign language. The song expresses the students' concerns about public space and safety issues. Download JPG (1600x1200 pixels / 404 kb) |
Marshall Elementary School students carry colorful picket signs to call attention to the impact of public space issues on children. Download JPG (1600x1200 pixels / 452 kb) |
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¡Arte Libre! featured live breakdancing performances by DEF ED (an off-site hip hop education program offered by CELLspace) and Baysic Project (a collaboration of Extra Credit/Sisterz of the Underground, Rockforce, Media Sirkus, and 5150), seen here in August at Plaza 16. Download JPG (1600x1200 pixels / 388 kb) |
DEF ED and Baysic Project drew a crowd during a free performance at Plaza 16 in August. On the dancefloor, b-boy Machine busts a move. Download JPG (1600x1200 pixels / 428 kb) |
A young girl participated in the hula hoop contest at ¡Arte Libre! Download JPG (1600x1200 pixels / 432 kb) |
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Anna Hoopengardner (left) and Julia Baldassari-Litchman (right), of Anna and the Illfaters, performed an emotive ballad at ¡Arte Libre! Download JPG (1600x1200 pixels / 428 kb) |
A young participant (left) customizes a free t-shirt courtesy of The Apparel Source under the supervision of Darren Villegas (right), an instructor with DEF ED. Download JPG (1600x1200 pixels / 428 kb) |
A finished street art stencil t-shirt at DEF ED's booth at ¡Arte Libre! Download JPG (1600x1200 pixels / 392 kb) |
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A volunteer (left) from Columbia Park Boys and Girls' Club applies glitter face paint to vocalist Anna Hoopengardner (right), of Anna and the Illfaters. Ten community organizations offered information to the public at ¡Arte Libre! Download JPG (1600x1200 pixels / 420 kb) |
Mauricio Ramirez, a young artist in Precita Eyes Urban Youth Arts Program, paints during a live demonstration. Download JPG (1600x1200 pixels / 400 kb) |
Kyle Fiore (second from left), a longtime Mission community organizer, is presented with a work of art by Emily Claassen (far left), Alicia Vazquez (second from right) and Jovida Guevara-Ross(far right). Fiore recently stepped down from her post as the Mission Community Council Coordinator. Download JPG (1600x1200 pixels / 372 kb) |
San Francisco, CA, September 24, 2006 — The Mission Community Council is pleased to announce ¡Arte Libre! at Plaza 16, a free, public cultural event on Friday, October 6 from noon to 5:00 PM, immediately following the grand re-opening of the 16th Street BART Station’s northeast plaza. The event will take place at Plaza 16, the 16th Street BART Station’s southwest plaza, in the Mission District of San Francisco, CA.
The public is invited to enjoy:
- The opening reception of "Safe Space, Safe Travels," a new exhibit of visual art by youth at Precita Eyes Urban Youth Arts Program.
- Live breakdancing by DEF ED (Definitive Education: Educational Experience through Hip-Hop, an off-site hip hop education program offered by CELLspace) and Baysic Project (a collaboration of Extra Credit/Sisterz of the Underground, Rockforce, Media Sirkus, and 5150).
- Customize your own t-shirt with street art t-shirt stenciling from DEF ED. Made possible by the generous donation of The Apparel Source.
- The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition will give away a free bicycle helmet to each child who arrives with a bicycle! Volunteers will also fix flat tires and do basic bike maintenance.
- A one-woman performance by Anna Hoopengardner (of “Fractured Course” and “Anna and the Illfaters”) accompanied by Rob Banks on cello.
- JUST ADDED! A children's vocal ensemble performance by Marshall Elementary.
- Kid's zone with art activities!
- Information tables from community organizations like:
- Global Exchange, an international human rights organization.
- La Casa de los Madres, offering shelter, advocacy and support services to battered women and their children.
- La Cocina Community Kitchen, a Mission District non-profit organization that helps low-income women start their own food businesses.
- Mission Economic Development Agency, a community-based, economic development non-profit organization.
- Mission Neighborhood Resource Center, a safe and clean space for the homeless communities of the Mission.
- San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR), a women of color led, volunteer-based organization that has provides rape crisis services to survivors of sexual assault.
¡Arte Libre! at Plaza 16 is organized by the Mission Community Council's Plaza 16 Affinity Group. The Mission Community Council is a collaborative network of over 35 Mission non–profit organizations, businesses, faith groups, and public departments committed to promoting the vitality of the Mission District. The Affinity Group hopes to create a safe and beautiful place by promoting community-oriented cultural activities. This past July, the group organized “Wellness Fiesta at Plaza 16,” a free community event featuring breakdancing, visual art, activities and health information.
The Mission Community Council would like to thank Instituto Familiar de la Raza for their generous support. MCC would also like to thank The Apparel Source, Back and Body Care, California Savings Bank, Delfina Restaurant & Pizzeria and Global Exchange for their support.
The event is free and open to the public. It is also wheelchair accessible.
For more information, please contact:
Christine Wong Yap
Public Art and Outreach Coordinator
Mission Community Council
Email: christine@micocsf.org
URL: http://www.micocosf.org/