Artists from the Upward and Onward program pose in front of their art at an opening reception on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Young Arts Arizona)
PHOENIX – For more than 25 years, Young Arts Arizona has been inspiring creativity in children through art. The nonprofit organization started in 1998 with a mission to encourage positive self-esteem among at-risk children by teaching them art and displaying their creations in galleries throughout the state.
The group focuses on children who have physical illnesses, face socioeconomic challenges as well as those with a physical, emotional or learning disability. The goal is to empower them to express, stretch and respect themselves.
“The kids are dealing with a host of circumstances that are scary or frustrating,” said Alicia Keenon, Young Arts Arizona executive director. “Some of them are angry and act out. The teachers try to help the kids channel their feelings into whatever art project they’re doing.”
And when the kids know that their art is going to be exhibited and viewed by thousands of people, they feel proud and excited, she said.
Since its opening, Young Arts Arizona has put more than 18,500 art pieces in almost 800 exhibits, and nearly 13 million people have seen the art in public buildings.
Artist Tyce, a resident at the children’s medical care facility Ryan House, sees his work displayed in Phoenix on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Young Arts Arizona)
Keenon was hired by Young Arts in 2002 as a grant writer. Her responsibilities expanded over time, moving up to grant coordinator and director of development before being named executive director.
“It wasn’t necessarily the plan that I was going to stay forever, but here we are 23 years later,” she said.
Funded through grants and donations, Young Arts Arizona offers art instruction to children ages 4 to 17 at schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and juvenile detention centers. Artists hired by the organization lead the workshops.
Valerie Navarrete, one of the teaching artists, said she feels fortunate to be able to build connections with vulnerable children and teach them a subject she has enjoyed since she was young.
Navarrete studied at Yale University for her undergraduate degree while double majoring in painting and molecular biology. Her original plan was to go to medical school. However, the pandemic caused her to reanalyze her career path.
She obtained a master’s degree at the Rhode Island School of Design in Global Arts and Culture and moved back to Arizona, where her family lives, and looked for opportunities to explore the connection between art and science.
“I found Young Arts by accident on Google and I reached out immediately because it sounded like such a cool program,” she said.
Some of the lessons Navarrete teaches are more structured than others, with the activity based on what the child wants to do and what would be most beneficial for them.
One-on-one instruction typically happens with a hospitalized child, whereas group settings are usually in a playroom or designated arts and crafts space where she will work with multiple children.
Artist Angelica paints during an art workshop at Banner Children’s at Desert in Mesa on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Young Arts Arizona)
“The instructor’s role is to focus on the art and execute whatever idea the child has and give them technical advice, brainstorming, things like that,” she said.
Navarrete said working with Young Arts has positively impacted her.
“This job has transformed me,” she said, “not just as a person but as an artist. The work these kids make has really emphasized the type of freedom kids have despite their circumstances when they make something. It’s been inspiring.”
Describing it as “good for the soul,” Navarrete said she wants to continue her work because of the impact the young artists have on the organization.
“It’s their work that gets framed and exhibited,” she said. “We wouldn’t even exist without them.”
The public can view children’s art at Young Arts’ home gallery, Passages, at 2009 N. Seventh St. in Phoenix.
Several times a year, the organization hosts receptions that coincide with Phoenix’s First Friday Art Walk where young artists’ work is exhibited and given awards.
发表回复