Celebrating the WAV
The WĀV is officially here! Thousands attended the public dedication of the facility in April. It was something to see. An entire weekend of celebration featuring nearly a hundred artists from twenty-three countries presenting their work and telling their stories.
"WĀV is an example of what a community can be. I was especially touched by the story from one of our WĀV family, a former foster child. She talked about how art is saving her life. She lost both her parents, which left her in a foster home where she then had to lose her foster mother to cancer. At age 18, her benefits were cut off and she had no place to go. She now has a beautiful home at the WĀV, and is mentored by other artists as she attends college and studies art" said Chris Velasco.
The Mayor of Ventura, Bill Fulton, spoke passionately about how his city invested a mere $1.5 million in affordable housing set-aside funds--funds that could only be used for affordable housing (there are no direct tax dollars in the WĀV)--and leveraged them into what is now $75 million of total investment and economic impact. And they created 300 jobs along the way.
Velasco went on "Saturday evening culminated in a performance by the aerial dance troupe Project Bandaloop who literally danced on the walls of the WĀV. It was a perfect way to say in one, amazing visual moment, that what is happening in these buildings is unlike anything you've ever seen"