Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts Collection

Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts

Located in Glassell Park the Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts (LFCSA) is a unique school that uses the arts as conduits to spark curiosity, confidence, ignite collaboration, and build the foundation for civic engagement – ultimately creating a whole new way of learning. For this new installment of LFCSA Youth Voices, Arts Integration Coordinator Evelyn Serrano and teacher Fidel Velasco are working with their third grade students to re-imagine the Bowtie Parcel along the Los Angeles River as part of the L.A. River Design Project.

The L.A. River Design Project is a product of the Arts for L.A. ACTIVATE program. The project's seed was planted by ACTIVATE member and LFCSA parent, Sonny Calderon, as a project that could be replicated in other schools, and would have at its core the focus on youth as active participants in the life of their city.

The challenge presented to the students at LFCSA is to design an ideal community space that is inspiring and inclusive for humans, native plants, and animals. Drawing from interdisciplinary skills learned in their regular coursework and specialized design and communication skills learned specifically for this project, the students will present their ideas and unique perspective on public use development to a panel of city officials. Sharing vital input from a heretofore overlooked population, what the school call’s “child citizens.”

With the guidance and support of several community partners, the students will learn what types of elements and considerations to build into their designs (e.g., purposes, environmental concerns, ADA, public art opportunities, zoning parameters), as they work in teams to research, develop, and present their plans to community leaders.

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Third Graders Become City Planners at City Hall

The nerves and excitement of the third graders filled the room at L.A. City Hall as they presented their ideas to re-imagine the Bowtie Parcel and the L.A. River.

Compiling the Evidence: Bringing Ideas For the L.A. River To Life

Can you imagine an ideal space along the L.A. River that's inspiring and inclusive for humans, native plants and animals? A class of third grade students were given that challenge and recently presented their preliminary ideas.

Investigation: Brainstorming an Ideal Community Space at the Bowtie Parcel

Student teams initiate a plan to improve an aspect of the Bowtie Parcel along the Los Angeles River by brainstorming and sketching their ideas.

LFCSA Students visiting the Bowtie Parcel for the 1st time | Photo: Evelyn Serrano

Exploration: Students Visit the L.A. River's Bowtie Parcel

Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts students discover the wonders of the LA Rivers Bowtie Project plot and the efforts currently taking place.

Outreach: Unearthing The North Branch of the Arroyo Seco with Jane Tsong

How does a community come together to "daylight" a hidden creek and how does it assert it's voice on how the creek will flow?

Tonantzin Carmelo talk to students at LFCSA

Outreach: The Tongva are the Native People of Los Angeles

The Tongva are part of the past, present, and future of the Arroyo Seco.

Outreach: Suzanne Lummis' Stories and Poetry

Learning history through poetry and memories.

Three students at LFCSA draw their reflection maps

Mapping: A Process of Reflection and Inspiration

Drawing maps helps students gain a deeper understanding of Sycamore Grove and prepares them for the next phase of their project.

Mapping: The Arroyo Seco and the Nature that Surrounds It

Taking a walk from Sycamore Grove Park across the Arroyo Seco to get to the Audubon Center at Debs park opens your eyes to the amount of nature all around.