OUR 4th annual youth justice art show!

YOUTH USE PHOTOGRAPHY TO ILLUSTRATE FACETS OF TRANSFORMATION AND TO CHALLENGE FEAR OF CHANGE.

Perhaps the only thing as consistent as change itself, is human resistance to change. Unstable climate patterns, shifting social structures and new cultural landscapes are but a few reminders that transformation is constant, and yet fear and resistance to change has both activated oppressive strategies and paralyzed useful actions. 

Transformation: Don’t Be Afraid of Some Change  invites viewers to examine the concept of change as a constant, both beautiful and complicated. The photographic work of youth in this show challenges us tolean into curiosity, to keep love at the center, and to embrace transformation as a reflection of the work of building Beloved Community.

Click on any thumbnail to open an enlarged view.

GREy, 16, GEORGIA

Grey is a rising high school senior living in north Georgia. Change and transformations are beautiful and inevitable, but the continual resistance to them is disheartening and often quite scary when those who fear change are the ones in power. Transformations will never cease, but they can be dangerous to the transformers. A simple message in a world of hate can be enough to lessen the fear. 

LOGAN, 16. NEW JERSEY

People are afraid of change because it is unpredictable. Whether they know it will be good or not they fear how it will change their lifestyle. The key to not having this fear is to think presently instead of years into the future when presented with these situations.

THORIN, 19. NEW YORK CITY

People fear what they don’t understand. It would be nice if we all responded to our fears with questions instead of judgements. I believe transformation is happening all the time in all kinds of ways and I like to represent that in my work through light and movement.

SITOTA, 17. ILLINOIS

Change can be a daunting task at times and is not always easy. However, we need to be okay with getting out of our own comfort zone in order to bring about good change that benefits the well being and safety for all.

OZZY, 16. ILLINOIS

I hope to be able to show that reality isn’t perfect. I myself am transgender, queer and neuro-divergent, and a large part of the people I find myself with are in one or more of those communities. It’s very important to me to be able to show people that someone out there thinks of them and loves them even if we don’t know each other personally or have ever even met.