The organizers of “Young At Art — Art to shape the future” Dimid Hayes,Yocelyn Riojas and Loren Oertel announced the exhibition of the works of five local aspiring artists. They would also like the local community to know that because of your help they have brought together:
• Five dedicated judges who selected
• Five “Young at Art” Fellows (from 20 applicants) who have been guided by
• Five Artist-Mentors who are working with their assigned Fellow whose works will be presented at a prominent gallery show titled “Young at Art – Art to Shape the Future”. Oct 14th, from 5-9 pm at RioBravoFineArts in Truth or Consequences, NM
The works presented at the show will demonstrate the powerful potential of the voices of our youth, especially from some segments of our communities that struggle to be seen and heard. Our judges, mentors, applicants AND fellows all reflect community diversity. The issues the fellows are exploring through their art for the project include: housing insecurity (a big issue for this generation), redefining the limitations of religious and gender norms, the strength of families facing oppressive immigration policies, climate justice/change, and finding hope in challenging times.
The art will be interactive, challenging, and — the hosts believe — memorable. With an incredible stroke of luck for these aspiring artists, the show is at RioBravoFineArts in TorC, coinciding with a show featuring the work of Delmas Howe, TorC’s most famous artist and a reason TorC has become known as an art colony. Delmas’ show is featured in the October issue of New Mexico Magazine which will generate an incredible amount of interest for the “Young At Art” show as both shows share the same venue.
According to the organizers, this project and subsequent digital media components, explore the idea of young people using their voices to draw attention and affect change. Research shows when young people register to vote, they vote in as high of a percentage as baby-boomers, in the mid to high 80th percentile. And data shows they vote 2 to 1 for progressive issues. Young people are more motivated by issues they are passionate about, rather than candidates or parties. By broadening the exposure of young artists’ voices to other young people, the intention is to engage and motivate young people to take those steps to become more involved in Democracy and their future.
The weekend will be documented as it unfolds to utilize its impact via social media going forward. Images and videos of the artwork created for Young At Art will be made available to progressive groups in New Mexico to use in their social media campaigns, websites, blogs, etc. Artists will be given credit when their work is used digitally. For the show itself, they can sell their works at the gallery with 100% of proceeds going to the artist.
So, for those who have given so generously, we give our thanks. And as we approach our final “to-do’s” in preparation for the show, we ask our existing donors, and those just hearing about this project, to consider the additional giving we seek to complete the program. If we reach or exceed our goal it will allow us to fund two additional potential art projects that have grown out of the initial project. Both of them entail going into high schools, Espanola and Truth or Consequences to offer artistic endeavors with highschoolers.
Here’s the link to make a donation: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/indivisiblesierra1065828045
In addition to the financial support each Fellow is receiving ($1,000 award, $500 in reimbursed art supplies, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Truth or Consequences) they are receiving mentoring, introductions to multiple established artists in TorC over the weekend, and credit for their work as it is used in media campaigns. This is about uplifting and putting front and center young visionaries.
Below is a link to a Google doc with the full weekend’s schedule. In addition to the panel discussion and the event itself, donors are invited to both the Friday night reception and the Sunday send-off brunch. RSVP to these two events, please.
Donations via checks can be made out to “The Indivisible Project” and mailed to 304 Main St. Truth or Consequences, NM, 87901
Link to make a donation: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/indivisiblesierra1065828045
Link to weekend schedule: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14DbBmUdLUVBPwtEV04s_eS1cXBUP3CdPxyTPIpYx08M/edit
The majority of this article was created from material provided by event organizers with Sierra County Indivisible