Art Poetry Food Music Culture

Live Music by East LA Band : The Commons

Free Mexican Food and Drink

EXHIBITION on June 5 4-7 pm

CSULA Quad

between Dolcini Cafe and library

Presented by Undergraduate Studies,

Honors College, English Dept, & Comite de Esperanza

Storying Wyvernwood

A community exhibition of cultural narratives

Los Angeles, CA - (May 16th 2014) The undergraduate studies research panel presents "Storying Wyvernwood: A community based exhibition," at California State University Los Angeles. The event is June 5th from 4 p.m. - 7p.m. located in front of CSULA's Dolcini's

restaurant. The event is of no charge.

"Storying Wyvernwood," is a multimedia event celebrating the historic Wyvernwood garden apartments located in the Los Angeles Boyle Heights. Recent plans for Wyvernwood's redevelopment have led to petitions, protests and ongoing conversations about the quickly changing demographic of ethnic neighborhoods. In particular, Wyvernwood is listed under the Los Angeles conservancy as a historical site, with news outlets such as the Los Angeles Times producing opinion piece considering its future presence. "Storying Wyvernwood" documents Wyvernwood as a center for the multifaceted narratives of identity, gentrification and space. The event explores the themes of globalization, business and the cultural impact that these changes pose on families and the individual within a sociopolitical context.

Modeled after the English project, "Storying Sheffield," "Storying Wyvernwood" aims to encourage engagement between the Boyle Heights community and neighboring Los Angeles areas. Like its English counterpart, "Storying Wyvernwood" is a tapestry of narratives shared and woven through a multidimensional approach to research. A goal of "Storying Wyvernwood," is to start communication about what does identity mean in relation to the spaces people inhabit? How are stories told and shaped by the communities that are lived in? How are these questions put into action? Is preservation crucial? To answer these questions, recipients of CSULA's undergraduate studies research program have created a myriad of expressions to bring the experience of Wyvernwood to CSULA's campus. Furthermore, in bringing Wyvernwood to CSULA, community members will be in attendance sharing their experiences and stories. In addition, "Storying Wyvernwood," will feature original spoken word and poetry, music by East Los Angeles-based band The Commons, authentic Mexican food and drink and much more.

As part of CSULA's new initiative to embrace innovative techniques for academic research, "Storying Wyvernwood" embraces the community and exemplifies the link between research and community partnership. Storying Wyvernwood" is produced by the recipients of CSULA's undergraduate studies research program along with the honors students and committee Esperanza. The event is sponsored by CSULA's department of English and the Office of Service Learning.