Juan Galletas, a senior at Edward Alvarez High School, found himself caught up in a world of violence and gang activity shortly after finishing the eighth grade. The lifestyle ended up laying the teen out in a coma for two months and turning his legs into “two stumps of dead meat.”

Galletas knows he was lucky the bullet didn’t kill him and has used the traumatic experience to start living a positive life.

As a teenager, Juan Lopez left his parents and two brothers in central Mexico to embark on a three-week journey to the United States. Lopez, who had been painting since he was a young child, had dreams of being the next Diego Rivera and knew opportunities were more plentiful in the North. Eventually he settled in Salinas with his uncle, where he picks strawberries six days a week. On Sundays, Lopez spends his lone day off doing what he is most passionate about: painting.

Galletas’ and Lopez’s tales are only a sampling of the stories attached to the 40 local teens putting together the One Salinas Arts Festival, promoting peace through the arts this Saturday in Oldtown.

“[The teens] get expertise in getting the word out about art,” says Festival Director Trish Sullivan. “There are lots of careers in the arts that don’t require you to be an artist, like an administrator or curator. We guide them and help them but don’t do it for them.”

Edward Alvarez High senior Jorge Carranza first got involved to fulfill his school’s community service assignment, but stayed on board beyond the required hours. The 18-year-old has spent 20 hours a week writing press releases, making posters, creating Facebook and Myspace profiles and building websites in addition to his school workload.

“One of the hardest things is figuring out how to reach people in such a short amount of time,” Carranza says. “The Internet is the best way to go.”

The teen volunteers even wrote and recorded a song for the One Salinas website, called “Just Us in Salinas.”

“The mission is to make the community aware of all the positive things young people are doing here,” Sullivan says. “These kids want to go to college; they want to get good grades. This gives them the chance to learn a skill set, and maybe they’ll find something that they’ve never thought of before.”

The list of the day’s activities continues growing at a rapid rate. Standout activities include: a chalk drawing contest, henna, airbrush tattoos, a Bill’s Wheels booth featuring the art of skateboard decks, origami, Koi Studios Japanese brush painting, bellydance lessons (authentic costumes provided), an improv acting tent, a poetry slam, reptile demonstrations with Jurassic Pets and a visual arts exhibit at Hartnell College Gallery on display through April 15.

In addition to the hands-on art activities and dance, there will be live music all day. This year marks a merger between the annual Salinas music fest Track Stock and One Salinas. The band lineup, curated by Wise Music, includes Tumbleweed, qiensave?, Razorhoof, Grated Earth, Blood Print and Counter Clockwise.

“Like [One Salinas], Track Stock gives young people the chance to do something they haven’t done before, like play in front of a live audience,” Sullivan says. “These teens really just want to show people that they’re interested in contributing in a positive way to their community.”

ONE SALINAS ARTS FESTIVAL happens 11am-4pm Saturday, March 27 at the Old Town Farmers Market, 100 S. Main St. Free. www.onesalinasartsfest.org