Photographer Emilio Sanchez, 17, shows his photograph, "65 Impala" to Founder and Director of the Pico Youth and Family Center (PYFC), Oscar de La Torre and his son Oscar, 3, during his opening reception of "From Streets to Sunsets: The Photography of Emilio Sanchez" at Virginia Avenue Park's Teen Center Gallery on Monday, June 23, 2009. The exhibition will continue through August 8, 2009.
It was less than two years ago that Emilio Sanchez took his first photograph in his ROP (Regional Occupational Program) class at Santa Monica High School. David Wood, SAMOHI’s photography teacher told him he had a “good eye” inspiring him to pursue the activity wholeheartedly. Since then Emilio has honed his skills with the camera, won a silver medal in the Los Angeles ROP Student of the Year competition, maintained his 3.5 grade point average, and is now establishing his career as a free-lance photographer. On the side, he has also taken up a career in boxing with his first professional bouts in the ring scheduled for this summer.
Carla Fantozzi, director of the Teen Center, is very proud of the young man’s accomplishments during his tenure there. “Emilio is a multi-talented teen who follows through on his passions and interests which makes him an inspiration and role model for his friends,” she says without hesitation. Fantozzi first met Sanchez as a middle-school student taking boxing lessons at the Police Athletic League (PAL) gym. “In both boxing and photography,” she says, “Emilio is an amazing talent.”
The multi-talented 12th grader’s work spans the gritty streets of Santa Monica’s Pico Neighborhood (Sanchez’ home turf) to the breathtakingly beautiful sunsets over the Santa Monica Beach.
The Teen Center Gallery at Virginia Avenue Park is open Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Virginia Avenue Park is located at the intersection of Cloverfield and Pico Boulevards. Ample parking is available at the Park.
Virginia Avenue Park is served by Big Blue Bus Lines Nos. 7 and 11. The park is wheelchair accessible and welcomes persons of all abilities. For special accommodations, please contact 310.458.8688 or TTY 310.917.6626.
Admission is free and open to all ages. For additional information, please call 310/458.8688 or e-mail Carla.fantozzi@smgov.net.