The Juvenile Justice Art Program is sponsored through the Siskiyou Art Council Arts Bus Program. It brings youth who are incarcerated visual, literary, and performing arts, at J. Everett Barr Court School in Yreka. The school is operated by the Siskiyou County Office of Education and serves youth incarcerated at the Charlie Byrd Youth Corrections Center. The arts program has been operating since 2006; through a partnership of the Siskiyou County Office of Education and Siskiyou Arts Council, students are exposed to a wider range of art instructors and artistic mediums to explore.
From Article Appearing in the Mt. Shasta Herald:
Lead teacher Beverly Walls, an advocate for the art program, says,
"The collaboration with Siskiyou Arts Council to provide a cornucopia
of artistic opportunities for Court School students has opened up the
eyes of our students to the varied avenues available for creative
expression. They look forward to the interaction with the responsive
instructors and the possibilities for learning and growing in new
media, such as soft sculpture, mask making, mono printing, hip hop
dance instruction, drama, drumming, portrait drawing and creative
writing. The students have gained a new level of pride in their
artistic abilities as they see displays of their work, perform for an
audience, read poems to the class, and create gifts from their art. We
appreciate the chance to work with this cooperative team and the
talented group of artists. We enjoy the variety the Arts Council has
been able to bring to our fine arts program."
Juvenile Justice Art Program artwork on display. Photo: Tatiana Diakof
The Juvenile Justice Art program started when two volunteers, who
understood the impact that art has on the at-risk population, got an
idea they thought might be beneficial to students in the Court School.
Volunteer coordinator Donna Bringenberg makes an observation, “It is
often the case that the youth who are the most at risk for destructive
behaviors are highly creative and crave self-expression. This program
gives them an opportunity to channel their creativity in a constructive
rather than destructive way, and learn new artistic, creative and
social skills that are being taught by individuals who have made art
and creative expression a big part of their lives.”
Carla & Donna
Volunteer coordinator Carla Glinka has past experience working in the
field teaching movement classes to incarcerated women. She brings a
high level of enthusiasm to the program, and enjoys seeing the
students respond to the different art modalities that are offered. Carla says, “We are thrilled to work with the
high-caliber artists who find their way to this program. Individual
expertise in their art forms is only a beginning; many artists are
responding to a 'calling' to work with young people who struggle with
creative expression. The Arts Bus artist instructors provide a framework for
students to enjoy unique expression through the arts while cultivating
awareness of practice and technique. Opportunities to perform and
to exhibit culminate each session. Students who may feel
hidden, locked-away or forgotten can positively 'show up' through their
art work. We are lucky to have talented artists as role models, and
celebrate their many contributions"
Participating students report that the material presented is
interesting and absorbing, and the program has increased their desire
to learn new things, relieves stress and gives them a way to express
themselves. Multimedia artist and writer Jill Gardner teaches
poetry and mono printmaking to the students at the J. Everett Barr
Court School. She speaks of her experience, “I am trying to get the
kids to break free in their minds and to explore with color and shape.
I want them to move beyond what they think they know and what they think
they can do well, and to discover new territory. I encourage them to take
chances. I try to bring my students information about ways to make a
life of art. I teach them about technique and practice as well as
presentation. I give feedback that is constructive and honest. I am
constantly enchanted by their creations and I let them know it.”
Other artists who have brought their expertise to the J. Everett Barr
Court School are Robert Callier (drawing and painting), Tony Green
(theater arts), Rene Henery (soft sculpture), Patricia Aulick
(drumming), Donna May (creative writing), Jason Gigliotti, (theater
arts), and Miguel Mesa (hip hop dance).
Pamela Newman, Siskiyou Arts Council board member and coordinator of
the Arts Bus Program, has a vision that all youth in Siskiyou County,
regardless of income levels and family situations, will be given many
opportunities to experience art. To that end, she donates her time to
work on this cause. She says, "Our goals with this program are to offer
a wide variety of art mediums to touch the individual student at his or
her core, and to employ local, gifted and experienced artists as guest
instructors. Offering art to youth contributes to the quality of
education overall. Art can foster critical thinking skills, develop
valuable workforce skills, increase self-understanding and self-esteem,
and build values that connect children to themselves and to their
cultures. Being creative is a powerful tool in today's fast-paced,
automated world."
In keeping with the Siskiyou Arts Council's mission to bring heart
and vitality to our communities, the Juvenile Justice Art Program helps
foster these goals by employing local artists and by instilling
creativity and increased self-esteem and self-awareness in a population
that is frequently overlooked. If you are interested in teaching art in
this setting, or contributing to this community partnership in some
way, please call (530) 859-2309.
Your recurring financial donations help our youth programs flourish; they also sustain us. Donations of art supplies are also appreciated and allow children to express themselves in positive ways.
Children All Over The World Need Art!
Here's Why:
Art stimulates both sides of the brain.
Thirty percent of children are visual learners.
Art enhances perceptual development.
Children who experience art read better and do better in math and science.
Art enhances self-esteem.
Art helps develop hand-eye coordination.
Children with early art and music training are better able to visualize complex mathematical problems and solve them creatively.
Art develops awareness of the physical environment.
Art teaches children to engage in creative problem solving and open-ended thinking.
