Arts in Recovery for Youth is pleased to present The Art for Social Justice Project, a virtual and in-person art showcase this week. We hope you will join us for this important conversation.

Our virtual 3D show is hosted by MCLA's Gallery 51 and opens Sunday, June 6th online. To view the show please visit: https://www.mcla.edu/mcla-in-the-community/bcrc/mcla-gallery-51/upcoming-shows.php

Our in-person Opening & Artists Talk will be on Saturday June 12th, 2021 from 3-6 pm. The show is held at Common Folk Artists Gallery at 12 Holden St, in North Adams. The show is open to the public and there is no cost for admission.

The Art for Social Justice Project is a series of paintings, digital art and poetry created by the young adults of the AIRY arts-based youth suicide prevention program to promote social justice and open community conversations. 

Works by artists Rachael Bentz, Kiara Bresett, Jack Kelly and Jalencia Melendez express themes of racial injustice and political oppression, violence against women, bullying, rights of LGBQT+ persons, freedom of gender expression, body image and gender equality. 

The young adults showcase their art alongside the art of five mentoring social activists in the art world. They include Pops Peterson, creator of the Reinventing Rockwell series at Norman Rockwell Museum which reinterpreted the Four Freedoms; Katy Holt, art educator and creator of the Wifebot art zine which explored gender role expectations of women; Em Reim Ifrach, transgender social activist and art therapist who presented on the theme of body image and gender expression; Caroline Kelley, feminist arts activist; and art therapist and artist, Marney Schorr who focused on stigma and disability.

For more info about AIRY's arts based youth suicide prevention program and the Art for Social Justice project please visit: www.airyedu.com

Funding for the Art for Social Justice project was provided by New England Grassroots Environment Fund and the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.