Garfield Screens at the Alwun House Wednesday Night

Garfield tells the true story of one of downtown Phoenix's first neighborhoods banding together to reclaim a historic neighborhood from crime and city abandonment. Members of the Garfield community, including Garfield Organization founder Lupe Sisneros, reached out to ASU students to make a film that would educate others about the deep-rooted...

By Jessica VanZalen

May 3, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

Garfield tells the true story of one of downtown Phoenix's first neighborhoods banding together to reclaim a historic neighborhood from crime and city abandonment.

Members of the Garfield community, including Garfield Organization founder Lupe Sisneros, reached out to ASU students to make a film that would educate others about the deep-rooted valued history of the neighborhood that dates back to the 1800s.

Wednesday night, Alwun House invites the public to come and view the film, and participate in a neighborhood social potluck at 7 p.m..

This event is less about the film (about 14 minutes long and available here), and more about getting involved with neighbors and build a strong community, staying true to the mission of the Alwun House, the neighborhood's community center and gallery.

The Alwun House was built in 1912, and was established by local artist and community activist Kim Moody in 1971. Today, the gallery and space hosts monthly exhibitions, social events, and workshops in the Garfield neighborhood.

Moody grew up in the area. He's big on neighborhood cooperation and strongly believes that Garfield is turning because residents have worked together, implemented block watch systems, and celebrated the local arts scene.

"How do you bring people together that have resources with the people that need resources? Our art is doing that socially," Moody says.

Moody says it's been a rewarding experience seeing this second resurgence in the neighborhood he grew up in and is proud to support local artists when they may not have anywhere else to show.

"This is a canvas," he says. "We invite artists to come, look at the space, collaborate and think, 'What can I do?'"

The film screens at the Alwun House at 7 p.m.. See more info here.

Follow Jackalope Ranch on Facebook and Twitter.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.