Venice Beach has always been a place of dreams and contradictions. As a UCLA student who grew up in the area, I've watched the neighborhood transform in ways both beautiful and heartbreaking...
The Venice I knew as a child was rough around the edges but full of authentic character. Street artists, musicians, and activists created a vibrant community that celebrated creativity and diversity...
Today, as luxury condos rise where artist studios once stood, I find myself caught between appreciation for the area's economic growth and mourning for the community that's being displaced...
