Teen Art Installation and Film Awards
CINCINNATI -- Nearly a year of work will come to fruition from 4 to 8 pm Thursday, October 24, when Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center unveils to the public an art installation for teens, "The Power of Art", designed by internationally renowned artist, Stephen Powers, and ArtWorks apprentice artists, in Cincinnati Children's new Teen Health Center.
In addition, from 7 to 8:30 pm Friday, October 25, the Teen Health Center will host the Power of Film awards to recognize local teen cinematographers whose short films will be on display as part of the exhibit.
Together for Teens: Power of Art is a collaboration between Cincinnati Children's and ArtWorks, an arts-based employment and job-training program for youth in the Cincinnati area. Cincinnati Children's and ArtWorks joined forces to encourage teens to create art that expresses the teen experience. The multimedia display is on permanent exhibition at the Teen Health Center, which is located in Location A.
Over the summer, staff from ArtWorks met with the Teen Health Center's Teen Advisory Board and other teen focus groups to identify various media and concepts. Internationally known artist Stephen Powers led the project, spending the summer months with area teens and ArtWorks staff to produce works of art for display throughout the Teen Health Center.
As apprentices, the teens had to present a resume or portfolio and go through an interview before they were selected for the program. At work, they adhered to clear job performance standards.
As part of the collaboration, teens submitted 3 to 10 minute short films. These were judged, and awards will be given out on Friday evening. Each winner will receive a golden Barbie", Cincinnati Children's version of an Oscar, at a reception in the Fifth Third Bank Auditorium, Location D.
"Our vision was to expand this art display in both scope and size to include multimedia presentations, short films, painting, sculpture, literature and performing arts captured on film," says Thom Speakman, business director of the Teen Health Center. "Sometimes, it only takes a little inspiration to give teens the tools for success.
"Projects such as this leave a lasting testament to the creative voice of young people while challenging teens to think outside the box, work in teams, learn to communicate effectively and make a real difference in the community – all while learning valuable life and job skills," adds Tamara Harkavy, executive director of ArtWorks.
Stephen Powers, a Philadelphia native known as ESPO (Exterior Surface Painting Outreach), is considered to be the leader in today's street art scene. ESPO produces artwork, which has roots in pop art tradition, using old signs or labels of products sold in grocery stores. His style (using brushes and paints instead of spray paint), and where he tags (tops of the buildings),makes his graffiti unique. ESPO's book, The Art of Getting Over It, by St. Martin's Press, chronicles the history of graffiti art.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is a 373-bed institution dedicated to the pursuit of perfect health care. It is the only pediatric organization in the United States to receive the prestigious Pursuing Perfection grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation ranks third nationally among all pediatric centers in research grants from the National Institutes of Health. The Cincinnati Children's vision is to be the leader in improving child health, through patient care, research and education.
Contact Information
Amy Caruso, 513-636-5637,
amy.caruso@cchmc.org
