The San Diego Art Institute is pleased to partner with Words Alive, Lux Art Institute, and AjA Project to present “SELF-TITLED,” a collaborative exhibition highlighting the work created by teens participating in arts education programs across San Diego County. “SELF-TITLED” opens to the public at 6pm on Friday, June 3 at San Diego Art Institute and runs through June 19. The exhibition will then travel to Lux Art Institute in Encinitas for an exhibition from July 30 to August 6. This multi-media exhibition features graphic novels, text, photography, video work, and drawing by teens as they illustrate defining moments in their lives and demonstrate their unique, individual voices.
About Words Alive’s “Adolescent Book Group”
The Words Alive Adolescent Book Group (ABG) program serves at-risk adolescents, many of whom have experienced extraordinary circumstances such as violence, pregnancy, and homelessness. ABG and corresponding writing programs are offered twice monthly at 22 Juvenile Court and Community Schools classrooms across San Diego County, reaching over 450 teens each year as a means to encourage students to think critically between themes within literacy and their own environment. For this project, the students read and discussed the graphic novel War Brothers by Sharon McKay and focused on the common theme of “identity: a defining moment in your life.” Words Alive partnered with Making Comics Worldwide in developing curriculum for students to create their own mini graphic novel. Each completed piece has been anthologized, and select pieces have been chosen for this exhibit.
About AjA Project’s “Collective Voices”
The AjA Project provides photography-based programming to transform the lives of youth and communities. AjA’s “Collective Voices” program works with Muslim youth from United Women of East Africa to use photo techniques to reflect on their cultural and personal identities.
About Lux Art Institute’s “Teen Collective”
Lux Art Institute’s “Teen Collective” for students in grades 8-12 challenges young artists to develop strong and original visual expression. Twelve students in each semester-long session delve into intensive visual art practices, create two portfolio pieces and produce a student-installed exhibition. The work is professionally published, furnishing students with a resource for college entrance and scholarship applications.
About San Diego Art Institute’s “Expressive Arts Program”
San Diego Art Institute has collaborated with artist and licensed therapist Tish Sjoberg in a program serving young artists at Marcy School: a Title 1 alternative high school and rehabilitation center. SDAI and Sjoberg have designed programming that teaches art with a specific emphasis on emotional wellbeing, self care, and safe and informed decision-making. Students learn to heal and utilize healthy modes of expression to communicate their experiences.