LEIMERT PARK : Youths Vent Anger Through Art Forms

Pan-African Art, a nonprofit Long Beach-based organization that offers free art and history classes to youths, is sponsoring an expo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in Leimert Park.

The exhibit, “Graffiti, Tagger and Mural Expo,” will feature 8-foot-by-4-foot works that address the many forms that violence takes. More than 50 participants, ranging from 5 to 27 years old, will work on their pieces in the morning and display them in the afternoon. Prizes will be awarded to artists based on content, expression and research efforts.

“We’ve had so many problems with youth and violence, I felt this was a good opportunity for them to positively express the very real anger and frustration they feel,” said Akinsanya Kambon, artist and founder of the organization. “This expo will try to provide a forum for their feelings about violence.”

Akinsanya said the projects, done in a variety of media, including spray-paint, acrylic, oils and collage, are uncensored and some depict graphic scenes. He said that participants had to submit written descriptions of their works and what inspired them.

“We’re trying to show kids that you can fully express your anger without trashing a wall or a building,” he said. “The point is to get people to listen and hear. We have a lot to say.”

Information: (310) 424-3015.