For the love of the arts

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At Stay Gallery, on February 8, Downey residents are able to view photographer J. Arthur Morris first collections of photos. The gallery also plans to show his other collections within several months.

Alexandra Menendez

Norma Flores, Sports Editor
February 14, 2013

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The Stay Art Gallery in the heart of Downtown Downey celebrated not only the 94^th birthday and life of community leader Arthur J. Morris, on Feb.8 starting at 6:00 p.m.

The Stay Art Gallery is a non-profit organization whose mission statement is to stimulate community engagement through arts & culture to breathe new life into Downtown Downey. Through the vision of founder Valentin Flores Rogel, the gallery hopes to become the art and cultural hub of the city and create a revitalization of downtown through artistic expression.

“I’ve been living in Downey for 35 years, “Downey resident Virginia Cruz said, “and I think that what Valentin and all the other volunteers are doing is great. Personally it gives me a place to inspire myself and maybe try to take some pictures myself.”

City council members made an appearance, as well as Downey residents. The Morris family generously lent the gallery the entire J. Arthur Morris collection, which includes 350 photos, in order to create smaller exhibits of the philanthropists work. Arthur Morris was a man who loved life and enjoyed sharing the joy of life with others through his art; what better place to exhibit his love for life than a gallery who’s hope is to portray the beauty of small close-knit community

“There’s only been two days ever in the history of the city of Downey that we proclaimed,” Council Member Mario Rivers said, “and we proclaimed Arthur Morris Day on his birthday a few years ago before he passed away.”

As a way to raise funds in order to maintain the gallery and the pilot program with students from the Downey Unified School District, which helps students gain experience in the field of art and coordinating events, there was a requested $20 donation upon entry but it was not required.

“Everything we do here we try to help and give back to the community,” Programs Coordinator Laura Hurtado said, “so most of the donations go to managing. At the end of the six month internship, we offer the students from DUSD either letters of recommendations or scholarships.”

Downey is a city filled with artists who are just waiting to be exposed and through the hard work and dedication of these fellow supporters of the arts; it is now only a matter of time.

About the Contributors

Norma Flores, Sports Editor

Norma Flores, 12, is a writer and photographer for The Downey Legend for the second year in a row. She wants to portray Downey High through images that kindle others to want to be involved with their campus. “I’ve always had an interest in writing and photography,” Flores said. “I would like to show others what I’m capable of.” A goal Flores has in mind is to be an FBI agent, criminal profiler, or a part of the Behavioral Analysis Unit because she is interested on how an individual’s mind is persuaded to commit a certain type of crime.

Her main interest is swimming, but she also enjoys reading books and writing whatever comes to her mind. Flores’s hobbies are working out and running because she feels free when doing so. One of her dreams is to become an Olympic swimmer. “I want to make my life worth it and would like to impact on other’s lives too, because the world has a lot to offer to us,” she said. “We shouldn’t conform because we each have some sort of role to play, and we should push ourselves over our own comfort zones and be daring.” Although Flores may have a lot to show to her peers regarding her capabilities, she may also inspire those who do not know her through the dedication expressed by her own skills.

Alexandra Menendez, Photographer

Returner Alexandra Menendez took up photography for The Downey Legend her junior year. Since the purchase of her first camera as a mere 6^th grader, photography has been a point of interest for the 17 year old; the school newspaper is just one on a long list of creative outlets she uses to express her photography skills. “I like having the ability to capture a memory before it’s gone forever.” Menendez says. Outside of campus, she refines her skills through photo-shoots with her friends and sister along the railroad tracks and otherwise simple backdrops. She plans on enrolling at San Francisco State and studying to be a professional photographer, but if all else fails, she aspires to at least be a qualified teacher. Currently, she is attending the ROP class Principles in Education to guide her into being the ideal photography instructor she aims to be.

The soft-spoken Menendez lives her life to the fullest of its potential each and every day. She is a proud film enthusiast, lover of Asian cuisine, and self-proclaimed introvert – though she claims to enjoy wasting away the weekends with her friends. Nonetheless, rather than having a traditional quinceñera with the spotlight on her, Menendez chose to travel Europe alone. “I’ve always wanted to go, just to see new places I’d never seen before.” Menendez says. “I wanted something new. She still longs to travel the rest of the world – all the while, documenting her trips through a camera lens. A small girl, Menendez has big dreams ahead of herself.