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

David Kroll and Karen Kitchel now showing at Robischon Gallery

March 6 – April 17, 2010

Opening reception for the artists: Thursday March 11 from 6-9pm

In conjunction with the Medea installation in March, I will be offering two two-day workshops, one for children March 20-21, and one for adults March 27-28. Each workshop will run Sat-Sun, 10 to 2, with a working bag lunch. The workshops will show students how to create and arrange forms made from mixed media on Dura-Lar, similar to the forms used in my work, Paroxyc Amoebosis and Blood Nest (below). There will be lots of time for practice as well. Some experience with watermedia (watercolor, thinned acrylic washes, inks) may be helpful but is not necessary. All materials will be provided. Students will complete a small 2D or 3D piece in class and will be able to continue working in this media on their own. Workshops will be held at the E Gallery in the E Project theater. (The gallery and theater are located at 9797 West Colfax Ave in Lakewood, CO, next door to Disguises Costume Shop, in the lower level of the Colfax Kipling Center, the NE corner of Colfax Ave and Kipling St. Look for the sign that says “West Colfax Event Center”. There’s plenty of free parking right in front.) Register: http://www.theeproject.org/the-e-gallery/registration-forms/

Danny is even going to breathe fire. Seriously.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

DESIGN YOUR PRINT OR PAINTING AROUND THE THEME: “FIVE POINTS”. 100% OF YOUR PRINT DONATIONS WILL GO DIRECTLY TO SUPPORT THE FIVE POINTS ART SCHOOL.

MAIL YOUR PRINT OR PAINTING BY MAR 12, 2010 TO:

DENVER ART SOCIETY
733 SANTA FE DR
DENVER, CO 802043.

ALL PRINTS WILL BE SHOWCASED AT 5 POINTS ART FESTIVAL. INCLUDE YOUR NAME, NAME OF ARTWORK, EMAIL, AND PHONE. THE FIVE POINTS ART SCHOOL AND DENVER PUBILC ART UNIVERSITY ARE POWERED BY DENVER ART SOCIETY.

Check out www.ARCofMontara.org