Leaders
2017–2018
YI Leaders and artist Ephraim Asili during Halloween Teen Night, October 2017. Photograph by Filip Wolak
In 2017-18, YI Leaders collaborated with artist and DJ Ephraim Asili to curate visuals and sounds for Halloween Teen Night. They also hosted Go Figure!, a large-scale figure drawing event inspired by Toyin Ojih Odutola: To Wander Determined. In November, the Leaders facilitated inquiry-based object talks in An Incomplete History of Protest: Selections from the Whitney’s Collection, 1940–2017 during the 20th Anniversary Youth Insights Reunion. In February, Leaders collaborated with artists and community partners to plan Speak Up, Speak Out! A Whitney Teen Summit. Inspired by the rich history of activism presented in the exhibition An Incomplete History of Protest, YI Leaders developed workshops with artists Shaun Leonardo and Badlands Unlimited, meditation sessions with my innerglow, a Know Your Rights: Immigration workshop with The Door, a DIY screen-printing workshop, and an Open Mic session.
Aiden
Aiden is from the Bronx but he never forgets his origins as a Greek and Puerto Rican New Yorker. Art makes him feel better. In the future, he wants to make a positive impact on the world and work at Cartoon Network.
Alec
Alec is from New York. For Alec, art is a way of communication. In the future, Alec considers becoming a designer (maybe interior) who enjoys anything he does.
Daniela
Daniela is from Inwood and her family is from the Dominican Republic. To Daniela, the core of art is creative expression. Daniela hopes to get into a college of her choice and get a Masters degree afterwards.
Francheska
Francheska was born in the Dominican Republic but she lives in the Bronx. To Francheska, art means self-expression and enjoyment. In the future, she aspires to be an artist and work towards a career in art conservation.
Joyce
Joyce is Chinese and she lives in Queens. For Joyce, art is a political weapon through which she can change people’s minds. In the future, Joyce hopes to go to college and study art history
Karla
Karla is originally from the Dominican Republic and now lives in Harlem. To her, art is anything and everything. She defines art as self-expression. In the future, Karla hopes to survive senior year, graduate, and go to college.
Kathouraa
Kathouraa is from Brooklyn. She defines art as self-expression. In the future, she hopes to go to college and study art history and foreign languages.
Katya
Katya is originally from Russia but now lives in Staten Island. For Katya, art is a hobby through which she can escape any bad situation. In the future, she aims to be successful and happy.
Maria
Maria was born in Mexico but she lives in Brooklyn. She defines art as self-expression. Maria aspires to become a veterinarian in the future.
Nick
Nick lives in the Bronx but he is originally from the Dominican Republic. Through art, Nick, expresses himself. In the future, he hopes to design shoes―especially sneakers.
Rae
Rae is from the Bronx. For Rae, the core of art is creative expression. In the future, she aspires to be a nurse who has some free time for painting.
Rodaina
Rodaina is from Egypt. She came to the United States two years ago. To Rodaina, art means expression. In the future, Rodaina hopes to own an engineering company.
Sofia
Sofia is from Argentina and New York. She defines art as self- expression. In the future, Sofia hopes to inspire others with her devotion and change the world.
Violette
Violette is from New Orleans but she lives in Brooklyn. She believes that art is the ultimate form of self-expression. In the future Violette wants to be a better artist and an astrophysicist.
Z
Z was born in China and she has lived in Shanghai and Najing. Recently, art has become an integral part of her life. Z loves working on art projects. In the future, she hopes to go to college and explore academic life.