Youth Elevating Youth is excited to announce their upcoming spring arts programming including AristFree, a weekly open arts studio, as well as other community art events. Their spring line-up has been made possible through support of the Laidlaw Foundation Direct Action Grant.
Youth Elevating Youth (YeY) was founded by a group of young adults to create inclusive and accessible creative spaces, cultivate a local network and mentorship opportunities, and help amplify youth perspectives socially, politically, and artistically.
The spring line-up kicks off with a Create Your Own Zine event, co-hosted by The Owen Sound North Grey Union Public Library (824 First Avenue West). This free workshop, aimed at youth between the ages of 14-29, will be held on April 13th from 10 am - 4 pm. Come with an idea, create a plan for your zine, and use the supplies provided by the Library or images and inspiration brought from home to put together your personal publication. Zines will be photocopied and made available at the Library. The event will be facilitated by Nadia Danlyk (of the Library), Gwen McLuhan (independent artist and zine-maker) and Laura Cameron (of YeY).
YeY is also pleased to be able to support Skye Cormier and Anne Marie Hay’s vision for their Crativism Crafternoon event. This will take place at The Owen Sound North Grey Union Public Library on Saturday, April 27th from 1-5 pm. It’s an event that marries together what has been traditionally considered domestic arts with activism. An experience open to all ages and skill strengths, participants are encouraged to try and bring together different kinds of crafting including embroidery, button design, knitting,
stamping, and painting into forms of social and political action, and promoting creative community involvement.
There will be multiple stations where all are welcome to create both individually and collectively, as well as a tots area for youth creation. Assistance will be made available in helping with a more comprehensive understanding on craftivism and all it entails. It is a Pay What You Can event to help cover all costs of the materials.
ArtistFree is set to launch this month at the Owen Sound Library on April 24th from 4pm- 7pm. The location for the weekly open arts studio in May is to be determined; follow YeY on Facebook or Instagram for updates. ArtistFree is intended to hold space for creative freedom and community connection for the youth of Grey and Bruce. Art materials will be provided but participants are welcome to bring their own as well. Attendants are free to work on projects related to YeY events and workshops but also encouraged to work on independent projects which may already be in progress.
Youth Elevating Youth is excited to launch their spring schedule and will continue, on a monthly basis, to hold one weekend workshop and provide weekly ArtistFree studio space based on a monthly theme.
“We are thrilled to provide youth with access to many art forms and the opportunity to engage politically and socially. It feels important to say that no one should feel pressure to produce a particular work. It is of the utmost importance that personal expression, accessibility to art and providing the safest spaces possible with peer support and are the primary focus. “ said Andy King, YeY’s current Co-ordinator.
This project was made possible, in part, by The Laidlaw Foundation
If anyone has any questions, ideas for future art projects, or has an interest in joining the YeY collective you can reach them through email: [email protected]
Watch YEY social media pages for upcoming details about events and follow this link to sign up for the monthly newsletter! http://eepurl.com/dFxM-X
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youthelevatingyouth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeycollective/
Link to Make Your Own Zine Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/579439442535271/
Link to Craftivism Crafternoon Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/631727383932027/
source: media release, YeY Collective
