In the spring of 2009, our community garden started in our unfinished parking lot. Students ages 6-12 came once a week to plant herbs, spices, vegetables, and flowers. They also designed weather vanes, painted and tiled flower beds, and plant containers. They also helped build birdhouses and created sculptures for the Garden Studio. Under Rogelio Acevedo and Alejandro Campos' tutelage, the students had the satisfaction of watching the seeds become flowers and the small plants flourish and bear fruit, which they were able to harvest.

 

   The Garden Studio Program with the students from LA's Best expanded to tiling decorative outdoor walls for Watts Community homes. We are very grateful that soon after the Garden Studio was underway, Artist-in-Residence Agustine Aguirre began volunteering his talent and leadership to this very successful program. We expanded the A.I.R program to include artists Rogelio Acevedo, Alejandro Campos, Crystal De La Torre, Charles Dickson, Jessica Gudiel, Dominique Moody, Norma Haas Rosen, Kenzi Shiokava, Carlos Spivey, and Rosie Lee Hooks.