Art as a profession: what does that mean? Those who make art feel compelled to make things, to combine one thing with another in a way that gives the artist satisfaction. Many of us make things not intending to share them or sell them, but because we are simply makers. We profess to be artists. How wonderful then, when in the course of your life, you have an opportunity to display your work in a gallery, to share it with the public, and maybe even sell it!
Shows at The Art Hive ...
Last year the Art Hive sponsored a youth art show to give young artists a taste of the professional art world and encouragement to keep making art. The event was a huge success, and the Hive is hosting another show this year that will open on the Fourth Friday Art Walk January 24. Coincidentally the Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery will also be hosting a student art show, opening the same night. Art-walkers will have a great opportunity to see what inspires creativity in Prescott-area youth.
Asked what a youth art show can accomplish, Carole Jolly, one of the organizers of the Hive show, says, “We have a two-pronged mission: the first thing is art education — how do you work with a gallery? Then, if you want to make art your profession, here’s what it looks like.” The Hive organizers are focused on cultivating young makers in their creative lives, helping navigate issues that artists face in getting their work out into the world.
Invitations for submissions went to all local schools, including public, charter schools, religious schools and the homeschool community, for 2D, 3D and mixed-media work from students aged 10-18. After a long, thorough jury process, those students whose work is accepted must attend a workshop to help prepare them to be part of a gallery show, looking at issues like display, pricing, creating an artist statement, and how to give an artist talk on their work.
Students in the show are encouraged to give an artist talk, which will take place on the Tuesday after the reception, January 28. While it can be scary for a young person to stand up in front of strangers and talk about something so personal, it’s also empowering, and many students last year found it to be the highlight of their overall experience. “That was the most moving part of the student show,” shared Jolly. “The students were very nervous, but they did a beautiful job.”
For the Hive show students are not judged on their talent, but rather where they are in their individual artistic development relative to their age. Robert Zinni, another Hive youth-show organizer, says, “The whole idea behind the youth art show is that it’s community-based. We don’t have prizes or ribbons. We want students with original, unique ideas to have an experience of how to be in a gallery.” Students may offer their work for sale if they choose, and a portion of sales will go to the Art Hive, just like regular gallery commissions.
The Hive is dedicated to connecting with local youth, and that includes hosting a battle of the bands this past September. Two bands from that event will be performing at the Hive immediately after the reception on the 24th. This will be a lively event and a great chance to hear music performed by local young musicians.
... and Arts Prescott Gallery ...
It’s oddly serendipitous that members of the Arts Prescott Gallery felt moved to host a student art show as well, and even chose the same time to schedule it. The instigators for the AP youth show are fiber artist Ann Ramsey and pastel artist Dorothy Dooley, both retired teachers who fully understand how significant it can be when a respected adult takes an interest in a young person’s work.
They were not aware of the Hive event at all, so their take on the framework of the student art show is a little different. Space in the AP Gallery is also very limited compared with the Hive. They have enlisted a number of outside artists to jury the show, and will offer ribbons and cash awards for Best in Show and first through third places. There will also be commendations for aspects such as best use of color and artistic authenticity. All submissions will get written feedback. Three schools will be represented in the AP show: Trinity Christian School, Bradshaw Mountain High School, and Chino Valley High School.
I tagged along with Ann and Dorothy on their visits to the schools to meet the teachers and students and see the submissions. While it’s understandable that some students would rather not talk about their art to strange old ladies, it was remarkable meeting those students who did in fact have a lot to say about their work, and how it was an outward representation of their inner landscape.
Bradshaw Mountain has a robust art department ranging from introductory to advanced classes, AP art and Art Honors Society. Students there spoke of having to articulate a “sustained investigation,” which describes what they are trying to express through their work.
Annette Hernandez, currently president of the school’s National Honor Society, described a charcoal drawing she submitted called See Me. The piece depicts her little sister, in whom Annette sees her own quiet self. Lexington Nelson, also from BMHS, submitted a collage made mostly from torn-up and crumpled worksheets, attached to the outer edges of a small watercolor of a brain. She spoke of her struggles in school and how hard it is to feel you are so much more than how you are graded and judged by quantifiable factors. “I know I’m not alone in this. I want that to be shown to this class, to any class, to any kid. It’s a common feeling, and unfortunately a lot of people deal with it.”
A student from Chino Valley High School, Ainsley Shumate, submitted a dramatic digital piece called Next Semester, based on a song of the same name about a student struggling with mental-health challenges. She is standing on a dark road on the center yellow line, with headlights coming right at her. The image is moving and well executed. Ainsley turned her focus to art when the choir program at her school was cut. The student art at the Arts Prescott show will be for sale, 60% going to the student and 40% to their school.
... at the same time!
The work of these gallery members from the Hive and Arts Prescott to put together such a show is mammoth. The art teachers from the many schools also deserve huge kudos for helping to pull this show together on top of already full schedules.
Of the work accepted for the AP show, 80% of it was not matted or framed. Each submission will get personal feedback and encouragement. The payoff is making these students feel seen, recognized for their work, acknowledged for putting their souls out there for us to see.
Opening receptions for these shows will take place 5-8pm January 24 at The Art Hive (203 N. Cortez St.) and at Arts Prescott Gallery (134 S. Montezuma St.). To learn more about these youth art shows, visit arthive.space and artsprescott.com.
