Quantum features new and in-progress work across media by teens from the Art Center’s after-school virtual programs made during the 2020-2021 academic year. The exhibition includes work at different points of development as a way to define artistic practice as something that is always evolving. The exhibition’s title, Quantum, selected by the Youth Board of Artists, speaks to an energy that is always moving and ever-changing as it interacts with its environment, much like the way teen artists see their practices grow and evolve through dialog with each other and the Art Center’s community. The exhibition is designed to encourage audience members to share feedback in a format that is similar to how teen artists critique each other in their classes.
The Art Center’s teen programs provide individualized mentorship to encourage young artists to develop their creative voices, learn leadership skills, and develop relationships with artists from around the city and beyond. The 2020-2021 programs consisted of six online courses: Teen Photo Studio, Teen Equity & Action, Youth Board of Artists, Advanced Teen Photo Portfolio, ArtShop: The Next Sun Rising, and Advanced Teen Track. Participating students were taught by teaching artists Jared Brown, Jonathan Castillo, Ariel Guerra, Lavie Raven, Tony Smith, and Rhonda Wheatley who aided in developing portfolios while experimenting with new artistic media. Teen Programs aim to support the surrounding communities’ future artists and leaders.
The exhibition was organized by the Youth Board of Artists, Mariela Acuña, Exhibitions and Residency Coordinator and Alex Herrera, Manager of Teen Programs.
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