More than 20 teens from across Milwaukee created art to display during a six-month-long exhibit for patients, visitors and staff at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, 2301 N. Lake Drive.
TBEY Arts Center, which organized the MKE Youth Artscape exhibit, released a public call for teen artists from the ages of 13 to18 to submit 2D artwork. The submissions, which include 28 drawings, three paintings and one mixed media work, now fill the Garden Cafe on the east side of the hospital.
The artists were students from several Milwaukee Public Schools, including Rufus King, Carson Academy of Science and North Division.
“Milwaukee has strong art organizations and passionate educators, but I feel that there’s always more room to grow in how we invest in youth creativity in underserved communities,” said Contessa Cole, founder of TBEY Arts Center.
TBEY Arts Center is a 26-year-old nonprofit that Cole founded at 16 in response to art program cuts at MPS.
The program’s mission is to strengthen young people through exposure to visual arts, dance, music and theater by providing them with opportunities for creative expression.
“Investing in youth artists isn’t just about raising money for programs, it’s about creating pathways and opportunities for youth to be seen and heard,” she said.
Teen art that heals
Cole said the experience taught the teens that their artwork doesn’t just inspire, it heals.
“Seeing artwork in a health care setting reminds us that creativity goes beyond galleries and performances,” Cole said. “It can bring comfort, joy and reflection into spaces that cause stress or pain.”
Cole found the most admiration in the artwork from an MPS class that featured motivational messages from the younger children.
Although the display was for teens, she was glad to not have turned the younger children away.
“It was an exciting moment to see the little children and us not telling them no,” Cole said.
Bria Emerson, 13, created an art piece for the exhibition that featured a peace sign with flying birds made of markers and crayons.
“My mom inspired me to make it and show everything that’s happening in the world now,” she said. “I was trying to show there needs to be peace.”
According to her mother, artist Reba Walker, they have been creating art together since Bria Emerson was 2 years old.
“I opened the door for her and my baby walked through it,” Walker said. “I’m so proud of her and how she does something that comes natural for her.”
Other pieces featured cultural reflection, symbolism of life in Milwaukee and more.
Andre Storey, a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and president of Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, is happy the hospital was able to show its support to the teen art display and patients.
“It is Ascension’s mission to care for all, with special focus on those most vulnerable,” he said. “We are proud to support the work TBEY is doing in our community.”
Creating more public spaces for teen art
In Milwaukee, there are limited spaces for youth artists to publicly display their artwork, Cole said. Her goal for the exhibit was to have the youths’ work displayed for a long period of time.
Cole said access to space and relationships are barriers that prevent young people from publicly displaying their work.
“They’re young people, and many institutions aren’t thinking about youth as a contributor,” she said.
Cole hopes to have youth artwork displayed in other places like corporate spaces, libraries, community centers and on buses where it can reach the broader community.
Another potential barrier is the perception of youth artists.
“Sometimes people see youth art as practice instead of something worthy of public display,” Cole said.
Many adults don’t understand that art is a language for youths who don’t have the words to express themselves, she said.
“Adults focus on the outcomes of performance, youth focus on the process of creativity, which is the transformative part,” Cole said.
When youth artists see their work being publicly acknowledged, Cole said, it gives them a sense of ownership over their voice and expresses their identity in safe ways.
Bria Emerson wants adults to know that art matters because for some teens it’s their only positive outlet.
“Instead of us doing bad, we can do art and it’s mind relaxing,” she said.
Expanding the program
As the organization celebrates 26 years, Cole said it is hoping to expand but needs funding, sustainable staff and community partners who are willing to open their space.
“This type of work requires coordination, curating artwork, installing exhibits and support for the youth,” she said.
For more information
You can visit the MKE Youth Artscape exhibit at the Garden Cafe cafeteria on the east side of Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, 2301 N. Lake Drive, until June 11.
If you have a child interested in becoming a part of the arts through TBEY Arts Center, click here to register for programs, activities, summer camp and more.
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