Spring 2012 Youth Insights Artists and Writers Orientation
Mar 19, 2012

Teens filling out a form together

YI Leaders, Artists, and Writers get to know one another in one of the many interactive and exciting ice-breaker games, February 2012. Photograph by Berry Stein

Teens filling out a form together

On February 6, the spring semester of Youth Insights began for both YI Artists and YI Writers. Teens in the YI Leaders program hosted an orientation for all participants in these programs. The event took place at the Museum. With food, awesome music, and ice-breakers, all teens had the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other. With a good mix of returning and new faces, Leaders made it their goal to help everyone feel comfortable and ensure the evening was more than just fun. From trying to make each other laugh, to literally throwing unique characteristics and facts at each other, YI teens quickly warmed up and created a goofy, yet artistically-focused energy. 

  • Youths playing games and standing

    Youth Insights Leaders, Artists and Writers throw themselves into getting to know each other. Photograph by Berry Stein

  • Teens discussing writing

    YI Leader Zoe gets to know new YI Writers Wiley and Keyanna. Photograph by Berry Stein

  • Teens working on crafts together

    After a few games, teens were mixed into groups and set about making some collaborative art. Photograph by Berry Stein

  • passing a crafted sculpture

    Each group of YI teens received a bag of surprising materials to create a piece of art inspired by strange terms. Photograph by Berry Stein

  • Teens in various poses on ground

    This team was busy interpreting the term "xertz", which means "to gulp a beverage down enthusiastically." They created a sculpture of thirsty heads! Photograph by Berry Stein

  • two teen artists crafting together

    YI Artist Emiliano and YI Writer Rudy assess their art making supplies. Photograph by Berry Stein

  • teens sitting on the ground talking

    YI Artists and Writers can't contain their enthusiasm. Photograph by Berry Stein

  • one teen drawing on another's back

    Teens got creative. When supplies ran out, a few brave volunteers became part of the sculpture. Photograph by Berry Stein

  • two teens in front of their creation

    Ingenuity prevailed during orientation when teens were asked to make a collaborative artwork from a random supply of materials. Rubber bands became noodles, plastic sheeting and foam core became heads. Photograph by Berry Stein

On the lower floor of the Museum, there was plenty of room to get creative. After a few games to introduce ourselves, YI participants were separated into three groups at random. Each group received a strange word and a variety of art supplies to represent that word. Artists and Writers quickly got to work. These art-interested teenagers from all over the city had a chance to share and collaborate on their ideas, no matter how silly. Everything from unicorn-fairy hybrids to LGBT-tolerant sculptures were created. Creating art together allowed all YI members to feel comfortable being playful together. The orientation couldn't have been a better way to start off the semester!

By Izzy, YI Leader