We’re devoted to connecting people
About us
Our founder imagined Venice Expressed when her dog retrieved some disgusting litter from her back alley. She mused about how the scene in behind a seemingly civilized neighborhood could look so apocalyptic. She wondered why nobody cared. Elizabeth took it upon herself to door knock and ask neighbors for help. What she discovered was the benevolence of neighbors and their intense desire to give back purposefully. The mystery for her was why they hadn't done this sooner. Why had a neighborhood given up on communicating?
As neighborhoods gentrify and fences are built higher, we imagine that there are ways to create community through neighborhood pride projects.
In 2019, Venice Expressed organized and hosted '50 Shades Of Art'. The event successfully demonstrated how locals residents, in conjunction with incredible artists and key community groups, can come together and generously support.
We aim to bring to life areas that should be the playground for residents and visitors alike.
We assist in funding projects that promote community and connectedness.
With the goal to reunite neighborhoods through the core values of kindness, pride and positive communication, Venice Expressed was formed.
We have a gold GuideStar Seal of Transparency. You can click on it to visit our profile.
We are guided by 3 intentional principles
HEAD
Interest in the field.
All of our involved committee members are passionate about art and uniting communities. Each day we embrace form, function and our relationship to art as we work to rehab neighborhoods.
HAND
The capacity to give.
We realize how generous residents are and how willingly they give their time efforts. This is an opportunity for us to return the favor and donate.
HEART
Desire to contribute.
Our mural artists and neighbors are donating their personal time efforts and resources towards making change. One mural is complete and more are slated to start. Many volunteers gave freely with no expectation of a return beyond personal achievement.
Our Team
Elizabeth Clay
- President
A Canadian transplant, Elizabeth has always been devoted to the cause of community. Having served as a Downtown Business Association President, a Chamber of Commerce executive and as a director on a Board of Economic Development, she is well versed in all facets of municipal development. This varied background has allowed her to support community initiatives throughout her volunteer career. Paint The Town, a massive volunteer project that Elizabeth founded and managed, refaced a rundown main street in Mission BC. The success of that project gave her the confidence to more recently repurpose the idea for her Paint it Beautiful campaign in Venice LA. Pulling neighbors together for a collective approach to an alley cleanup she was able to breathe life into a forgotten area and find a home for mural art to thrive. When not thinking about how to reinvent and better her community she works as a CEO for her real estate design and development firms.
Sarah Sung
- Secretary
Sarah and her family relocated to Venice in 2014, attracted by its strong sense of community, diversity and creativity. Prior to coming to the west coast, Sarah was actively involved with foster youth and community outreach programs through Family and Children’s Agency in Connecticut. She believes strongly in helping the underserved—especially youth—find a better path by giving them the opportunity to explore their passions and find their strengths.
Sarah served as co-President of the Booster Club (PTA) at Coeur d’Alene Elementary an LAUSD community public school in Venice for two years, establishing their corporate sponsorship and community fundraising program. She joined the board of Venice Arts in 2017 with the hopes of continuing to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Sarah’s professional background is in non-profit financial services (Financial Services Volunteer Corps), advertising (Digitas) and marketing (Adaptive Marketing). She currently teaches Pilates, enjoys taking art classes and can often be seen biking around the neighborhood.
Xavier Ricolfi
- Treasurer
Xavier is a French designer, now stationed in LA, after a 15 year stint in NYC. His time in the East Coast was spent launching and developing a world renowned fashion jewelry line. He is proud to have been able to build a thriving business and mentor the designers that worked within his firm. The principles he gleaned while having worked for brands such as Philippe Starck, he felt compelled to pass on in a ‘pay it forward’ way. He is grateful that his time spent mentored by design pioneers offered him unparalleled exposure to sustainable product development and the concept of innovating for the future. Now involved in Venice Expressed, he’s able to parlay his talents, and his out of the box thinking, to bring new purposeful projects to communities.