“From the Concrete I Rose: Breaking Ground for the Next Generation of Artists”
Friday, June 16 - Friday, August 4, 2023
Inspired by Tupac Shakur's poem, "The Rose that Grew from Concrete," this exhibition examines the power of art to transform young lives. The show features artwork by local student artists and their mentors, Robert Stone and Tyese Williams. Over the course of six months, the students met regularly with their mentors and other artists including Alicia Cobb and Kristy Paz to develop their artistic voices. Cobb and Williams taught lessons on using acrylic paint and canvas to depict the students' life stories and create images of self-empowerment. Stone helped students train their eyes to discover a new way of seeing the world and sharing that unique perspective. Like the delicate but strong rose that pushes through the concrete, the students emerged with artworks that fill the gallery with beauty.
The exhibition features original works of art by Jasmine Acevedo, Robert Bartlett, Kathia Carcamo, Jamel Ford, Josiah Hartwell, Jaylynd Leon, Garrett Schmidt and Marvin Verano.
The exhibition is presented in partnership with the Housatonic Museum of Art and the Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP). Exhibition made possible by the generous support of The Eileen Harris Norton Foundation. Special thanks to Milford Photo. Curated by Robert Stone, M.F.A. with support from the Housatonic Museum of Art staff.
Photos courtesy of Brandon Smith, Whisky and Oxfords