Sanna Alas

GFI Fellow - Class of 2015

Undergraduate Student, Human Biology and Society
and Comparative Literature
UCLA

Project

Down to Earth: Stories of Urban Gardeners in Los Angeles

Description

Down to Earth is an ethnographic documentary. Centering on two sites, one in Watts and one in Hollywood, the film explores the potential of urban gardening in supporting community building, sustaining urbanites' personal connections to land, and helping gardeners to maintain their spiritual, mental and physical wellness.

Goals

This project was devoted to exploring the processes and people that create and sustain urban gardens in Los Angeles, and the ways in which urban gardens in Los Angles also sustain and nourish the gardeners by constructing strong communities.

Future plans

My future plans are to continue supporting the students and community of Jordan High School in Watts in developing the garden. Also, I hope to develop a curriculum based on my own experience with the GFI fellowship to teach my own students videography skills so they can take charge of their own community organizing. Personally, I plan to pursue a career in medicine and apply these skills to create a medical practice that is more receptive to community voices and struggles.

Mentors

Andy Rice and Wendy Slusser