CRENSHAW : Black Gallery Attacks Vandalism Head-On

Under siege by young vandals, Black Gallery Director Roland Charles is launching an offensive of his own.

After both front windows of his fine art photography galley were broken in four separate incidents, Charles decided to strike back with “Art Attack.” The fund-raising and arts education project will begin today with an art sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the gallery, 107 Santa Barbara Plaza.

Items from $5 to $125 will be offered, including limited edition prints, posters, lithographs and cards. Proceeds will go toward repairing the gallery’s windows as well as installing protective coverings and a security system.

Charles, a photojournalist who co-founded the gallery 10 years ago, also plans to start photography classes at nearby Audubon Middle School, Dorsey and Crenshaw high schools and other campuses.

It is only through education and appreciation of the arts, he said, that young people can understand the importance of supporting a community institution such as his.

Longtime Black Gallery client Patricia Bath said she volunteered to be the project’s spokeswoman because of the many contributions the gallery has made to the community. Bath, an ophthalmologist and View Park resident, is approaching politicians and others about securing funds for the building repairs and improvements.

“It’s a very important, very vibrant force in the neighborhood,” she said. “It’s really tragic when the community seeks to destroy rather than edify it. . . . We want to give kids a chance to express their hurt, their pain through photos, not vandalism.”