"To All Relations: From the Ground Up" is a special residency project in partnership with the Watts Labor Community Action Committee. This project brought together Black, Latino, and Asian American community participants, ranging from teenagers to seniors, with Great Leap artists for a series of intensive storytelling workshops. Kick off for the residency was November 17 with a performance of "A Slice of Rice, Frijoles and Greens." "From the Ground Up " culminated with a community wide performance on June 1, 2002 along with a celebration of growth in our community garden.

These workshops began in Spring 2002, bring these diverse communities together to create their own stories and perceptions of what is home or homeland by sharing the landscape of their histories and culturalwisdom. Another part of the project involves the creation of a communal garden--yes, a real garden! This garden is more than a metaphor. It is a symbol and an opportunity for continued growth within the community.

Great Leap believes that planting the seeds of dialogue and investing the labor to harvest will deepen our mutual understanding, partnership, and create the basis to grow and sustain our communities. However, this does not happen organically. It must be fostered, nurtured, reinforced and supported. In a land where freeways, cell phones and isolation are the norm, this is a project that helps bring people together.

Links about the Watts residency:

Event announcements:
Watts Seeds to be planted in March (Demo Workshop) - February 8, 2002
Bless the Land, Plant the Seed, Feed the Family - March 2, 2002
Garden Celebration Performance Info - June 1, 2002

News Articles:
Celebrating Gardening: From the Ground Up! (Rafu Shimpo) by Jenni Kuida
From the Ground Up: Watts Community Garden Springs to Life (L.A. Watts Times)

Photos:
Watts Garden Celebration - Photo Page
Watts Garden Celebration - Photo Page2
Artist Prep Workshops - Photo Page

Updated: 7/16/02