Denver Art Society

Kimberly: The Right Choice

The Right Choice by Kimberly, age 14

Now showing at Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA)

March 12 – April 30, 2010

Opening Reception: Friday March 12th from 4-8pm

(from the press release)

The Right Choice is an exhibition developed by DAVA Youth based on the risks of using and abusing drugs, alcohol and tobacco. The exhibit opens to the public Friday March 12th and runs through April 30 th, with the opening reception on Friday March 12th from 4-8 pm. DAVA (Downtown Aurora Visual Arts) is located at 1405 Florence Street, one block south of Colfax in Original Aurora. Students throughout DAVA programs also developed artwork on healthy eating and exercising as part of a holistic approach to positive life choices.

Every year, youth ages 11 to 14 at DAVA research the most up to date information surrounding substance abuse through a grant from the Colorado Division of Behavioral Health. Through focused educational sessions, middle school youth from DAVA’s Job Training and Computer Arts programs learn about preventing drugs, alcohol and tobacco use. To expand their understanding of healthy choices, they also research mental health, self confidence, nutrition, and exercise. Artist-teacher Sarah Heid comments, “We also shared positive characteristics to look for in friends and in ourselves. We were able to discuss each student’s best attributes and focused on being our best selves in everything we do.”

This year, youth introduced their ideas within the context of DAVA’s overarching themes for the year: health, education, environment and economy. The exhibit is designed to educate and inform the community through the ideas of young people. Youth at DAVA explore topics in a safe creative space, using the arts to explore topics that impact them directly. By bringing their own perspectives to difficult community issues, they offer solutions in their own creative language.

DAVA’s Junior Staff, ages 15-17 created individual projects about alcohol and drug abuse through mixed media projects. Younger kids in the Open Studio started the year with drawing and clay exercises on nutrition, talking about healthy and unhealthy food. Kids drew what was in their stomach and observed the food pyramid. They made food plates in clay focusing on balancing meals. They decided to focus on exercising as part of our healthy habits focus. Kids made clay people exercising, including running, walking, swimming, playing ball games, stretching. They then made a park as a group to display the people.

Parents/guardians and 3-7 year olds in Family Arts created “Shopping for health” by painting healthy foods on tote bags. Come visit the artwork created by children and youth so that you may experience the vision of young people as they examine important community issues.

The exhibits are free and open to the public from 10 am to 5pm, Monday to Friday or by appointment. For more information about the exhibits email gallery@davarts.org

Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA)
1405 Florence St
Aurora CO 80010
Mon-Fri: 11:00 am-5:00 pm or by appointment
303.367.5886

http://davarts.org