A unique exhibit celebrating artwork by urban youth involved in programs dedicated to exploring and conveying the transformative and empowering qualities of the art process.
July 8-21st
The Zeitgeist Gallery (in association with Lesley College) is proud to present Louder Than Words, a unique art exhibit celebrating the transformative and empowering effects of youth creating within varied mediums, including photography, paintings, and sculpture. The exhibit, showcasing 3 Massachusetts agencies exemplifying this reality, will run July 8th through July 21st at the Zeitgeist Gallery (Cambridge, MA). The opening reception, open to the public (including youth), is Saturday, July 12 from 3 until 6 p.m.
“—- whether they be during or after school—-
provide opportunities for youth from all backgrounds to do something positive…
with their talents and their time.” - Janet Reno, U.S. Attorney General
The 3 participating groups are RAW Arts (Lynn), Artists For Humanity (Fort Point), and Project Image (Jamaica Plain). This exhibit will not only present the art, it will provide awareness – inviting viewers to honor and experience the work, viewers who might otherwise not see it, or know it exists. The process of creating provides people (in this case, urban teens) with invaluable opportunity to learn about themselves, their individuality, and how they relate to and fit into community. Beyond providing an outlet for creativity, structure and expression, the art-making is educational, personal, challenging, honest experience that ultimately transforms and opens doors. Louder Than Words, the joining forces of 3 social changing area agencies, intends to shine light both on the teenagers who create the art, and the community programs that promote and facilitate this invaluable process – thus nurturing the courage and conviction necessary to sustain a cultured society.
Artists for Humanity’s mission is to bridge economic, racial and social divisions by providing at-risk youth with the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in the arts. Founded in 1991, AFH offers a place for urban young people to explore and express their creative abilities, to identify possibilities for continuing education, and most importantly, to dispel the myth that the larger world is forever closed to them. AFH is built on the philosophy that art is a powerful force for social change. AFH restores urban neighborhoods by using art and the creative process to join young people with the business community. The teens work with professional artists and young artist mentors, get paid for their work, and even participate in programs traveling abroad.
Project Image, a summer education and employment program developed by the Boston Photo Collaborative, puts the power of teen images to work. By communicating about themselves – their peers, families and their environment, Project Image participants give voice to their personal and social concerns while strengthening their role in the community. PI offers paid internships to economically disadvantaged teens. Kids learn and utilize basic photography and darkroom skills by fulfilling photography assignments for a variety of summer youth and community programs; and create a personal photo essay on such important issues including single parenting, mentors, sports, and family. The Boston Photo Collaborative was established in 1991, and via Project Image, promotes young people as leaders, problem solvers, and evolves skills such as time-management, self-discipline, decision making, communication, abstract thinking, and activism.
RAW was launched in 1988 when the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services implemented the first statewide art therapy program for incarcerated youth. The DYS program is currently in it’s 11th year and serves close to 100 teens each week at DYS facilities throughout the state. RawSpace opened as a result of the effectiveness of the DYS program. Offering long-term intervention for kids on “that scary edge of falling into a life of crime and emotional depravation”, Raw has 9 clinically-trained art therapists and provides free counseling services, using arts as tools, channeling emotional expression to help people deal with the acute and chronic stresses in life. Over 90% of RAW’s youth comes from low-income families.
The 3 groups will show varied artwork, in a cross-section of mediums, with youth artists from many communities. Proceeds of art sold go back into the youth programs.
The Zeitgeist Gallery is located at 1353 Cambridge St, Inman Square, Cambridge, MA. Gallery hours are 1-7pm Tuesday through Sunday. Reach the gallery on line at [zeitgiest-gallery.org] and 617.876.6060 by telephone. Metered parking is available both on street and in municipal lots behind the gallery. The gallery is accessible via public transport busses from Porter, Harvard, and Central Squares.
Principals from Raw Arts, Artists for Humanity, and Project Image are available for interview. Select high resolution images, as well as further support materials are available digitally via request.
For more information, contact Casey Engels, 617.666.0469, caseyengels@hotmail.com.