I'm Here: Teen Art Exhibition in partnership with Center for the Arts Evergreen

Teenagers: insightful, resourceful, complicated, misunderstood, and acutely aware of the world around them. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, our young people have been navigating extremely uncertain times. Understandably, their experience includes isolation, depression, and anxiety- contributing to the current Pediatric Mental Health Crisis in Colorado.

Somewhere along the way, as our youth were discovering their sense of self, they came across hope. They began to see light in the darkest moments. For some teen artists, this exhibition was the first time that their artwork was actually witnessed. They are collectively announcing “I’m here!”. Center for the Arts Evergreen and Children’s Hospital Colorado are honored to provide these artists a safe place to express themselves, find care and support, and begin to heal.

I’m Here is an exhibition of artwork by teenagers sharing a real look into their lives. As you walk through the gallery, you will witness their vulnerability and strength through their own perspectives. This generation of teens will be remembered for who they became because of forces outside their control. They are tired of the word "resilient." What they so desperately want is to be celebrated for who they are (and are becoming) as individuals. I’m Here is the beginning of that celebration.

The call for submissions for I’m Here was open to any student aged 13-18 in the state of Colorado. Out of 128 submissions from 22 different high schools, the final show features 46 pieces of original artwork representing 14 schools. Not only was the artwork created by teens, but it was also selected by teens. I’m Here truly is a show by teens from start to finish.

Special thanks to all the artists, Sara Miller and Emiko Martinez from Center for the Arts Evergreen, this exhibition's sponsors Bruce Anderson with Farmers Insurance and Lynn Westfall with Remax Alliance, the Children's Hospital Colorado Ponzio Creative Arts Therapy Program, and Samantha Ferguson who lead the Center for the Arts Evergreen Teen Council- without which this exhibition would not be possible.

Let us know what you think: https://forms.office.com/r/n4Zp00S9Wg
The artwork you see here is for sale! To purchase artwork in this exhibition to benefit our local creative community and Children’s Hospital, please contact Jasmine Chu at [email protected]

Heme aquí: exposición de arte juvenil
En colaboración con el centro para las artes Center for the Arts Evergreen

Adolescentes: perspicaces, ingeniosos, complejos, incomprendidos y muy conscientes del mundo que los rodea. Desde inicios de la pandemia de COVID-19 en el 2020, nuestros jóvenes han estado navegando a lo largo de momentos extremadamente inciertos. Lógicamente, su experiencia incluye asilamiento, depresión y ansiedad –lo que contribuye con la crisis actual en salud mental pediátrica en Colorado. En algún lugar a lo largo del camino, mientras que nuestros jóvenes descubrían su sentido de sí mismos, se encontraron con la esperanza. Empezaron a ver la luz en los momentos más oscuros. Para algunos artistas adolescentes, esta exposición representa la primera vez que su obra de arte se presenció en realidad. Colectivamente anuncian: “¡Heme aquí!”. El centro Center for the Arts Evergreen y Children’s Hospital Colorado se honran en otorgarles a estos artistas un lugar seguro para expresarse a sí mismos, encontrar atención y apoyo, y empezar a sanar.

“¡Heme aquí!” es una exposición de obras de arte realizadas por adolescentes que comparten una mirada real en su vida. Conforme camine por la galería, presenciará su vulnerabilidad y fortaleza a través de sus propias perspectivas.Esta generación de adolescentes se recordará por lo que se convirtió debido a las fuerzas fuera de su control. Lo que desean con desesperación es que se les celebre por quiénes son (y en qué se están convirtiendo) como individuos. “¡Heme aquí!” es el inicio de dicha celebración. La convocatoria de propuestas para “¡Heme aquí!” se hizo pública para cualquier alumno entre 13 a 18 años en el estado de Colorado. La muestra final cuenta con 46 piezas de obras de arte originales que representan 14 escuelas. No solo las obras de arte las crearon los adolescentes, sino que también fueron adolescentes quienes las seleccionaron. En verdad, “¡Heme aquí!” es una exhibición realizada por adolescentes de principio a fin.