Young At Art
Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center’s Teen Arts Council presents Routines & Rituals, the first exhibition from a diverse group of young Oklahoma City artists exploring patterns, routines, and the pressures of adolescence.
WITH PUBLIC SCHOOL arts education curriculum in Oklahoma at risk, a trusted place for young and future artists becomes even more important. In addition to its Studio School, Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center’s Teen Arts Council provides exactly that—a supportive, artistic community for young people to connect with like-minded peers and inspiring adults. This much-needed type of environment allows teens to explore their experiences and creatively problem solve. Routines & Rituals is the first exhibition of artwork from this group.
The accessible intimacy of this show is felt the moment one enters the space. The artworks from twelve artists hang on the walls, but many defy the parameters of traditional two-dimensional pieces. Some works have sculptural or collage-like elements overflowing from the canvases on which they originate, while others use found materials such as braided foil, pieces of broken mirror, Scrabble tiles, fake moss, yarn, and even an old math homework sheet. These personal touches, like one’s own unique handwriting, can be felt.
The Teen Arts Council is a diverse group of teens with varied backgrounds and experiences who are interested in exploring contemporary art, ideas, and the creative process through collaboration and engagement with artists, curators, educators, community partners, and the public. During their academic year on the council, they are compensated for their time (and well-fed with plenty of snacks at bimonthly meetings), and they also give advice to the art center’s education department on how to strengthen teen engagement within the organization.
“The artists did a deep dive into the Art21 video series,” says Kau’i Kanahele, senior coordinator of teen and youth programs at Oklahoma Contemporary, of the inaugural exhibition. “Everybody split off into groups to explore different sections. It seemed the artists related the most to ideas surrounding patterns and routines, so that’s what the group decided to move forward with.”
The artworks are anything but banal. The commonplace is made artful with four paintings in a series of watercolors called Microscopic Mornings by Camille Garret. Perfume, Lipstick, Toothpaste, and Coffee represent the aspects of one’s own morning routine as though they are under a microscope in translucent colors and beautiful marbled forms.
The internal and external pressures of being an adolescent are also explored through specific life experiences, and these young artists offer their audience universal truths. Artist Leila Glover’s painting, Late, conveys the stress of time. Eva Knight-James’ piece, Constant Reminders & Repetition, shows never-ending to-do lists with responsibilities at school while tending to one’s own mental health.
Arielle Hines-Lunn says about her work, What Are You Mixed With?, “There are many techniques I had never tried before. It pushed me to expand my boundaries, go through trial-and-error, and it forced me to trust my instincts.” When asked about her first year on the Teen Arts Council, Hines-Lunn says, “I have become more comfortable connecting with other artists. Instead of comparing myself to them, I try to discover new things.”
As young artists like these are empowered to lead the exhibition process—from conception to installation—overall confidence in decision-making and social wellbeing take root with young creators, an essential element of contentment and life skills development. The Teen Arts Council is a dynamic and evolving organization, welcoming new members and helping to fulfill the mission of Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center: to encourage artistic expression in all its forms through education, exhibitions, and performance.
