Youth in Medford have a resource to discover levels of creativity some of them never imagined they had – until fairly recently. LifeArt, a YDC-funded program through Jackson County Juvenile Services’ KEY (Keep Encouraging Youth) Program, is an artists’ respite to many youth who might not otherwise have a healthy outlet to express the emotional upheaval many of them face in their daily lives.
Lead Artist/Mentor Caroline Wasick talks with YDC Community Engagement Coordinator Bobby Bridges about how she launched her own career at LifeArt, led a tour of the facilities on June 22, 2016.
Lead Artist/Mentor Caroline Wasick talks with YDC Community Engagement Coordinator Bobby Bridges about how she launched her own career at LifeArt, and led a tour of the facilities.
The non-profit was started by Eagle Point School Student Services and Homeless Student Support Facilitator Phil Ortega, who discovered kids one day spray painting graffiti art on the side of his garage, honoring a friend who had committed suicide. Instead of calling police, Phil invited them back, gave them art supplies and a canvas, and LifeArt was born. Young artists receive case management, artist mentorship, and paint original works. They then sell those works, keeping half the profits. The other half is used to purchase additional supplies for the LifeArt Studio.
Caroline and Youth Gallery Manager Adrian Chavez, as well as another youth whose life has been positively impacted by LifeArt, led a tour for Gang Prevention Specialist Abraham Magaña (pictured on right) me, Bobby, and YDC Research and Policy Analyst Bill Hansell.
Youth Gallery Manager Adrian Chavez led a tour of LifeArt for Prevention/Intervention Specialist Abraham Magaña (right) and other YDC Staff.
For more information about this program, please contact Phil Ortega
LifeArt-Program
Filed Under: General, In The Community, Programs in Action