Resilience: Survive. Grow. Thrive. – Exhibit opening

Interactive arts event brings Resilience to Foster Care Youth 

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Artists:
Andrew Innerarity
Terri Meredith
Patr
Dennica Pearl Worrell

Collaborators:
1310 Gallery
Be Your Own Answer
Cameras For Kids Foundation
Voices for Children of Broward County
Prizm Art Fair
Supreme Esteem, Inc.

FORT LAUDERDALE – When you ask Neri Street, a community advocate and public speaker, what the word “resilience” means, she lights up. “It’s the concept that will make our community sustainable, address changing job markets, and how we teach the next generation of youth,” she says. “Innovation lights a spark, but resilience keeps the fire burning.”

On Saturday, May 17, Street curates an interactive arts and storytelling experience designed to immerse the audience into Resillence. That is the theme of 1310 Gallery’s 6th Annual May Arts Extravaganza. Every May since 2009, Street has collaborated with artists to raise awareness for causes supporting children and families. e.

“Resilience is critical for everyone, even for people whose lifestyle appears to be easy,” says Andrew Innerarity, an internationally acclaimed photojournalist whose work will be displayed at the event. “No one gets a completely easy path.”

That night, the event will feature 2-dimensional artists pushing the envelope on their work, and inspired performance. It will also feature short films (comedy, drama and experimental) on resilience, and the audience may choose to participate in “An Exercise in Resilience”. A portion of proceeds from any sales that evening supports Cameras for Kids, an innovative program that builds resilience in Broward’s foster care teens.

Betsey Chesler launched Cameras for Kids after volunteering with orphanages in South Africa. She saw how empowered vulnerable teens were behind a camera, and saw the same needs right here at home. Her program is now across the US and Canada. Funds go towards purchasing a basic point and shoot camera, memory cards, photography printing, framing, and shooting trips. “Photography opens a door that allows the kids to see their own potential,” says Chesler, “and it gives them an innovative skill set.”

Cameras for Kids works locally in partnership with Voices for Children and HANDY (Helping Abused Neglected Disadvantaged Youth), but they need community investment to continue. Street and Chesler have come together to raise the funds to sustain the program. The teens’ photography, and other select pieces at the event, will be on sale to support the program—which gives the youth a direct experience in entrepreneurship.

EVENT INFORMATION:

RESILIENCE: SURVIVE, GROW, THRIVE.
at 1310 GALLERY (directions)
1310 Gallery, Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts
1310 SW 2nd Court, Fort Lauderdale, 33312
Free parking on the street, and in adjacent lots
Event time: 

Opening: Saturday, May 17, 7 PM – 10 PM

Closing: Friday, June 13, 7 PM – 9 PM

Artists’ work pictured:
Pasqual, age 15
2009,
Untitled (Clasped hands)
Photography on archival paper

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