Gil Garcetti Presents: Water is Key

Photography isn’t the usual sort of occupation for someone that served 32 years in Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, but it was natural fit for Gil Garcetti. Since leaving his post as the county’s top prosecutor in 2008, Garcetti published several photo essays, starting with his 2002 work, Iron: Erecting the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a collection of photographs he took of ironworkers as they built the Disney Concert Hall.

Garcetti continued displaying his unique eye as an artist while calling attention to issues that require action, such as his book, Dance in Cuba, which displays the “ardent spirit of the Cuban people through their dance, despite living in extreme poverty. He also published Paris: Women on Bicycles, which featured elegantly clad women bicycle riders throughout Paris, moving the viewer to consider how getting out of our cars to do everyday activities can help reduce traffic congestion and clean up our environment. All of his books are discussed on his website: www.garcetti.com.

On Oct. 26, Garcetti will be presenting his book, Water is Key, his photo essay that tells how clean water can transform the lives, health, education, and destiny of people in West Africa. Millions of West Africans lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. Yet, when safe water is available, entire village economies change and the lives of the inhabitants are transformed from disease and malnutrition to hope and success.

Garcetti will be signing his book, Water is Key and sell limited edition photographic prints to benefit the campaign.

The presentation happens to coincide with the San Pedro based Global Gifts for UNICEF  in celebration of United Nations Day 2013. The theme of this year’s celebration is, “2013 International Year of Water Cooperation,” which aims to focus attention on water scarcity.

Proceeds from purchases made at Global Gifts benefit United Nations programs benefitting the world’s children.  Global Gifts is a program of the Long Beach/South Bay chapter of the United Nations Association. In San Pedro for more than 40 years and staffed exclusively by volunteers, Global Gifts has provided area residents with hand-crafted goods from the developing world.

The event also will include a “Happy Birthday United Nations” cake-cutting celebration.

Admission is free.

Details: (949) 290-1738; dianescduna@yahoo.com

Venue: Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles

Location: 112 E. 22nd St., San Pedro