Clark State Community College’s youth outreach program - Project Jericho - has partnered with the Springfield Museum of Art to feature “Project Jericho Fall 2020 Reflections.”
The exhibit features the work of 24 local youth artists and is currently on display in the Beach Gallery through November 19.
“The art on display at the Springfield Museum of Art is a culmination of three different programs,” said Lauren Houser, director of Project Jericho.
Houser said one display, titled “Radiate” consists of art completed during virtual ppen studio, a program that was moved to a virtual location so youths could participate while being at home. It features mixed-media artwork focused on the concept of radial symmetry.
The other two displays, “Drawn to the Light” featuring charcoal drawings of found sources of light discovered around Springfield, and “Oh My Gouache” features expressive self-portraits done in gouache paint.
The overall exhibit also includes photos of some of the participants, displays of the materials used for each program and artists' statements.
“The decision to display the art at the museum allows for many people to view the art at separate times, so that crowding can be avoided, and we can all remain safe,” said Houser.
Each youth who participated in one of the three programs and completed their work has a piece included in the exhibit. The art will not be sold.
“One of our teaching artists, Kelley Booze, who led our ‘Drawn to the Light’ program, works at the Springfield Museum of Art, and suggested that we use the museum to display the charcoal drawings from the ‘Drawn to the Light’ program,” said Houser. “All of our participants expressed interest in displaying their art, so we decided to display all three programs, thus reflecting on our fall visual art programs as a whole.”
Houser said the staff is committed to finding ways to continue engaging youth and families in meaningful art experiences as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Project Jericho has been offering virtual open studio sessions every Monday since April and will continue to offer this programming to teenagers.
Patrons of the Springfield Museum of Art can view the “Project Jericho Fall 2020 Reflections” exhibit in the Beach Gallery during regular museum hours through November 19. The Springfield Art Museum is located at 107 Cliff Park Road, Springfield.
Project Jericho is a collaborative initiative of Clark State Community College and Job & Family Services of Clark County with support from The Turner Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council.
The program serves at-risk youth and their families by providing a variety of performing arts workshops, artist residencies and family performances, while encouraging the development of an individual’s talents through music, poetry, painting, dance and theater.