At-Risk Teen Artists to Screen Their Work

Ten weeks of working with students from CalArts will pay off for about 25 young budding artists today with their screening of student animation works at the Encino Media Center.

The teenagers are part of a Community Arts Program sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Arts Council and CalArts to get at-risk young people excited about using their artistic talents.

And the public is invited to see their work between 4 and 6 p.m. today at the center, 16953 Ventura Blvd., before new courses begin in February.

“We want to show everybody in the community what this program produces,� said Roslyn Wolin, president of the council.

The community also will get a glimpse of the newly renovated public darkroom; it’s not yet completed but is expected to be open next week to amateur photographers throughout the Valley.

In an age of computerized photography, photographers still want to produce their pictures the old-fashioned way, Wolin said.

“There are many people who are waiting for this to open, because there is no other darkroom space available for amateur photographers to use,� she said. “They want a facility where they can develop, enlarge and print their pictures, and this saves them money. Not many people have these in their homes.�

City Councilwoman Laura Chick and Adolfo Nodal, general manager of the city’s Cultural Affairs Department, will attend the event to officiate at the installation of the new board and officers of the council.

The Encino Media Center began operating in June 1996 with animation and 3-D art classes as part of the Valencia-based art school’s Community Arts Program.

The facility is one of five community arts centers, and one of three in the Valley, approved by the City Council to receive municipal and private partnership funding to operate.

For more information, call (818) 784-7266.