Documentary: Space for Hope: The Executive Director.

Lorena La Grassa is a visual artist. A photographer she told me, among other things. One of those {quote}other{quote} things is being the Executive Director of the Valley Arts District Org . Valley Arts is a nonprofit whose mission is to grow and maintain a vibrant arts district in the Valley neighborhood of Orange and West Orange NJ and to create cultural and artistic opportunities for local residents of all ages.They've done a lot, but its still sometimes a tough neighborhood. Just a couple of days before our conversation a young man had been shot just a couple of blocks up from where we were now sitting, talking. {quote} I can't control the violence, if its not safe its not safe. BUT, I can provide an option. If you have a wall ,putting art on there, it provides a window.... a window to infinity{quote}Lorena La Grassa at her desk at the Valley Arts District Org building in the Valley Arts District.If you walk around the 10 block area that constitutes the Valley Art District you'll keep running across those windows they are creating. There are wall murals, and fence art.Art assemblages in unexpected places and business window art displays. Each one potentially a window to infinity.
The Executive Director.

Lorena La Grassa is a visual artist. A photographer she told me, among other things. One of those "other" things is being the Executive Director of the Valley Arts District Org . Valley Arts is a nonprofit whose mission is to grow and maintain a vibrant arts district in the Valley neighborhood of Orange and West Orange NJ and to create cultural and artistic opportunities for local residents of all ages.They've done a lot, but its still sometimes a tough neighborhood. Just a couple of days before our conversation a young man had been shot just a couple of blocks up from where we were now sitting, talking. " I can't control the violence, if its not safe its not safe. BUT, I can provide an option. If you have a wall ,putting art on there, it provides a window.... a window to infinity" 

Lorena La Grassa at her desk at the Valley Arts District Org building in the Valley Arts District. 

If you walk around the 10 block area that constitutes the Valley Art District you'll keep running across those windows they are creating. There are wall murals, and fence art.Art assemblages in unexpected places and business window art displays. Each one potentially a window to infinity.