So many stories to tell... here's a short version, lol.... Hi, I'm OMEGA!I was a skater back in the late 80's then fell deep in love with graffiti and piecing.
Mobbing the valley, downtown and over the hill by night - and piecing the Woodman yard and Belmont tunnels nearly every day.... SO many stories to tell...
(Fun Fact: That is what my 'Wyldin' Crew' characters are based on).
I was one of the first female graffiti artists to make an impact in Los Angeles.
I owned the Hip Hop Shop on Melrose. The hip hop coat of arms was in full effect at the shop: Graffiti Art, DJs, MCs & Breakdancing. We were a central point for meet ups, communication, battles, events... the energy was electric!
What I treasure most about that time, is that we had a safe space for everyone to come through and be their authentic self. To Thrive, Create - Innovate - Experiment - Make mistakes and make great things happen too! The youngins had a place to 'be', a safe space to chill and talk and grab some food if they were hungry.
No judgements, no-egos, no-isms! It was a time and place of unity pulled together by the magnetic energy of the hip hop culture.
Fast forward to today - my goal with OMEGA Gallery to provide that same connectivity and culture through community events featuring local artists and being that safe space for anyone who wants to explore art and the hip hop culture.
Mission Statement:Empowering Creative Futures: Uniting Art, Community, and wellbeing at the heart of our mission is a profound commitment to nurturing the artistic spirit within inner city youth and revitalizing our local community. We envision a future where creativity thrives as a catalyst for positive change, where diversity is celebrated, and where equality and wellbeing are the cornerstones of our society.
Our Vision:
We aspire to create an inclusive and vibrant community where every young mind, regardless of their background, can access the transformative power of the arts. Our vision encompasses the following principles:1. Fostering Creativity: We are dedicated to igniting the creative spark within every young person, providing them with the tools, resources, and opportunities to explore their artistic potential. Through a wide array of artistic mediums, we aim to inspire the next generation of visionary artists.
2. Building Community: We understand that art is a bridge that can connect diverse backgrounds and experiences. Our mission is to create a welcoming and supportive community where individuals from all walks of life come together to share their stories, culture, and experiences through the medium of art. In doing so, we hope to break down barriers, encourage dialogue, and promote unity within our community.
3. Promoting Wellbeing: We recognize the profound impact of art on mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. By offering art programs that prioritize self-expression and mindfulness, we seek to empower young people to develop resilience, coping skills, and a positive sense of self. We are committed to fostering an environment that promotes mental health, emotional growth, and overall wellbeing.
4. Championing Diversity and Equality: Our commitment to diversity is unwavering. We strive to create an environment that respects and celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives that make up our community. Equality is at the core of our mission; we actively work to dismantle systemic barriers that hinder access to the arts, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all.
Mobbing the valley, downtown and over the hill by night - and piecing the Woodman yard and Belmont tunnels nearly every day.... SO many stories to tell...
(Fun Fact: That is what my 'Wyldin' Crew' characters are based on).
I was one of the first female graffiti artists to make an impact in Los Angeles.
I owned the Hip Hop Shop on Melrose. The hip hop coat of arms was in full effect at the shop: Graffiti Art, DJs, MCs & Breakdancing. We were a central point for meet ups, communication, battles, events... the energy was electric!
What I treasure most about that time, is that we had a safe space for everyone to come through and be their authentic self. To Thrive, Create - Innovate - Experiment - Make mistakes and make great things happen too! The youngins had a place to 'be', a safe space to chill and talk and grab some food if they were hungry.
No judgements, no-egos, no-isms! It was a time and place of unity pulled together by the magnetic energy of the hip hop culture.
Fast forward to today - my goal with OMEGA Gallery to provide that same connectivity and culture through community events featuring local artists and being that safe space for anyone who wants to explore art and the hip hop culture.
Mission Statement:Empowering Creative Futures: Uniting Art, Community, and wellbeing at the heart of our mission is a profound commitment to nurturing the artistic spirit within inner city youth and revitalizing our local community. We envision a future where creativity thrives as a catalyst for positive change, where diversity is celebrated, and where equality and wellbeing are the cornerstones of our society.
Our Vision:
We aspire to create an inclusive and vibrant community where every young mind, regardless of their background, can access the transformative power of the arts. Our vision encompasses the following principles:1. Fostering Creativity: We are dedicated to igniting the creative spark within every young person, providing them with the tools, resources, and opportunities to explore their artistic potential. Through a wide array of artistic mediums, we aim to inspire the next generation of visionary artists.
2. Building Community: We understand that art is a bridge that can connect diverse backgrounds and experiences. Our mission is to create a welcoming and supportive community where individuals from all walks of life come together to share their stories, culture, and experiences through the medium of art. In doing so, we hope to break down barriers, encourage dialogue, and promote unity within our community.
3. Promoting Wellbeing: We recognize the profound impact of art on mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. By offering art programs that prioritize self-expression and mindfulness, we seek to empower young people to develop resilience, coping skills, and a positive sense of self. We are committed to fostering an environment that promotes mental health, emotional growth, and overall wellbeing.
4. Championing Diversity and Equality: Our commitment to diversity is unwavering. We strive to create an environment that respects and celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives that make up our community. Equality is at the core of our mission; we actively work to dismantle systemic barriers that hinder access to the arts, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all.
5. Uplifting the Local Community: We aim to uplift the entire community by harnessing the transformative power of art. Through community engagement initiatives, public art projects, and collaborative partnerships, we seek to revitalize and beautify our neighborhoods, fostering a sense of pride and ownership among residents. In pursuing this mission, we believe that art has the potential to be a driving force for positive change in our community. We invite you to join us on this inspiring journey of empowerment, unity, and transformation as we work together to create a brighter and more equitable future for inner city youth and our local community. Together, we can build a world where creativity knows no bounds and where every individual can flourish, contributing their unique artistic gifts to the tapestry of our shared human experience.