WATTS : Artists Turn Junk Into Functional Art

James Brown runs his hand across the glass-inlaid table in the middle of the small makeshift art gallery and smiles at the success of this latest project.

For nearly five months, Brown and artist R. Judson Powell have been working with about a dozen residents to create functional art. The participants range in age from 8 to 64.

“This is an attempt to establish a large recycling program in Watts,” said Powell, referring to the workshop in the back room of the Lord’s Place art gallery and chili kitchen at 2128 E. 103rd St. Using discarded furniture and glass, Powell has taught residents to create glass-covered tables, bowls, nameplates and frames.

Powell and Brown said the idea for their work is similar to what has been done at the Watts Towers Art Center.

“What we are doing is approaching art as an educational vehicle, especially for children,” said Powell, who helped establish the center.

“They learn creative principles in art that teach them to look at material in a different way. So if they can see a broken mirror and not see it broken, but as something that can be applied to a wall, well, that’s a giant leap.

“And that type of leap is something we’d like to see them practice often in every aspect of their lives.”

Residents said the workshop offers them a chance to focus on something positive.

Lydia Magdaleno, 64, was introduced to the center by a neighbor. This summer, Magdaleno and her grandson Manuel, a Jordan High School ninth-grader, began attending Powell’s free art workshop.

“It’s easy and what I like about it is it helps other people realize what we’re doing here,” said Manuel. “You know, like knowing not to throw away glass that can be used for other things.”

The workshop has already proved profitable for Manuel, who has already sold several glass nameplates for about $10 each.

But it is the large pieces, such as the $300 glass-inlaid table, that Brown hopes will attract attention outside the area.

“People in this area can’t really afford it. We’ve had one lady who came in and commissioned us to do a table, but we haven’t really been able to get the word out and advertise what we’re doing here,” he said.

Profits are divided between the artist, who receives about 40%, and the center, which uses the remainder for overhead and materials.

For Brown, the art gallery is the another step in expanding the small center he first opened in 1977:

“I always had this desire in my heart to do something because I grew up in Watts. When Judson approached me with the idea of recyclable art I guess I just thought about it in terms of recycling human lives and giving people another chance.”