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Why Baltimore? Gianna Rodriguez

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An Interview with Gianna Rodriguez, Founder of Baltimore Youth Arts by Alex Oemke

Why Baltimore? is a series of interviews focused on arts leaders in the Baltimore region, discussing how their practices engage with Baltimore as an audience.

Gianna Rodriguez founded Baltimore Youth Arts (BYA), an organization that brings arts education and job readiness training to youth in the juvenile justice system, just over a year ago when she moved to Baltimore. Originally from Rhode Island, Gianna has been working with youth in justice systems since 2008 when she began working with AS220 Youth. Currently, BYA creates and runs programs at Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, Thomas J.S. Waxter Children’s Center, and the Lillian S. Jones Recreation Center.

To find out more information about BYA and its upcoming events please check out their website.

Author Alex Oehmke is a rising senior at MICA studying sculpture, graphic design and writing. She is one of BmoreArt’s 2016 Spring Editorial Interns.

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