Inocente Izucar

A White Fund lecture featuring San Diego artist Inocente Izucar, who was the subject of an Oscar-winning short documentary, which depicts her journey from homeless, undocumented California teen to successful artist, will be held in partnership with Northern Essex Community College, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 8:45 to 10 a.m. in the Lawrence High School auditorium, 70-71 North Parish Road, Lawrence.

This event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a screening of the movie “Inocente” followed by a 45-minute Q&A with Inocente and Matt D’Arrigo, founder of the San Diego non-profit ARTS: A Reason to Survive, which was instrumental in her survival and success.

The documentary “Inocente,” is a coming of age movie about this homeless, undocumented 15-year-old, who refused to let her circumstances define her or cancel her dream of becoming an artist.

Inocente moved more than 30 times in nine years, sleeping in crowded quarters beside her three younger brothers under one temporary roof after another, and sometimes even outdoors. Her father was deported to Mexico for domestic abuse. Her art and chronic homelessness are the subject of this short documentary, financed through private donations and grants. Inocente refused to give up on her dream of being an artist, proving that the hand she had been dealt did not define her.

D’Arrigo, is founder of the San Diega non-profit ARTS:A Reason to Survive, which was instrumental in her survival and success. ARTS provides therapeutic arts programming and education, as well as college and career preparation to children and young adults dealing with homelessness, domestic violence, illness and other major life challenges.

ARTS became a refuge for Inocente. When she first walked into ARTS at the age of 12 in her rainbow tutu and high-top sneakers, D’Arrigo, immediately saw she had promise.

“She’s exactly the kind of person I created this program for,” he said.

Today, she is a San Diego artist and activist. Despite her often bleak surroundings, her brightly colored art depicts a world of survival, love and hope. Inocente now supports herself as an artist and lives in a happy home with her rescued bunnies, Luna and Bun Bun. For more information on Inocente please visit www.Inocenteart.com

For additional information on this lecture contact Martha Leavitt, director of operations – Lawrence campus, at mleavitt@necc.mass.eduThe White Fund’s purpose is to have a free series of interactive presentations for Lawrence area adults, youth, and children. The audience is encouraged to seek wisdom, cultural enrichment, and intellectual enhancement by attending and participating.

Funded by a generous financial gift from the Honorable Daniel Appleton White, the White Fund Lecture Series has provided cultural conversation featuring well-known lecturers in fields such as history, literature, travel, the arts, and politics. The White Fund is collaborating with Northern Essex on this series.  This program is also supported in part by a grant from the Lawrence Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

For additional information or to be notified of upcoming events in the White Fund Enlightenment Series, call 978-738-7403 or visit the website www.necc.mass.edu/whitefund

The views expressed in the White Fund Enlightenment Series Presentations are the views of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Northern Essex Community College.