Transforming Asian Arts Initiative’s Gallery into a Youth-Based Activity Space

Starting on June 5, Youth Arts Workshop Teaching Artist-in-Residence Michelle Nugent’s work will transform Asian Arts Initiative’s main gallery into a youth-based activity space and learning resource center for teaching artists.

The Creative Commotion exhibit will highlight Nugent’s recent Youth Arts Workshop residency projects and feature a combination of two- and three-dimensional visual art, oral history, and mixed media installation.

Youth Arts Workshop is Asian Arts Initiative’s multi-disciplinary arts afterschool and summer program for grades 6-12, which provides art-making opportunities and a safe space for Asian American teens and fellow students from all backgrounds to share their experiences and connect with a sense of community.

Currently, one of the projects Nugent is working on is Bike Revolution, in which students learn about bicycle advocacy, safety, repair and maintenance. During the yearlong project, students contributed to fundraising to purchase their own bikes, customizing the design of their bikes, and organizing youth group bike rides in Chinatown North.

In addition, the students have been practicing and mastering sewing, illustration and design to create a range of original handmade merchandise for their Bike Revolution Pop-Up Shop, located inside the gallery at 1219 Vine Street Philadelphia, PA 19107. Proceeds from YAW’s etsy shop also go towards funding their bike projects.

The Creative Commotion exhibit will take place alongside Asian Art Initiative’s Youth Arts Workshop Spring Showcase, which includes screen-printing demo led by students. More information about Creative Commotion and YAW is available on Asian Arts Initiative’s website.

Image via Asian Arts Initiative