Are you a teen interested in being part of our program?
Requirements for 4 months exhibition space in the "Teen Room"
Artist Requirements:
Aritsts must be between the ages of 13-19 and must have a permission slip signed by parent or legal gaurdian if under 18.
Artist must reside in San Diego County.
Artist must commit to a minimum of 3 hours per month of volunteering.
Exhibition requirements:
Various types of visual art are acceptable.
Work must be ready to hang, framed and wired or unframed and wired.
There will be a mandatory workshop at the start of each 4 month stint to show artists
how to prepare work for installation.
If accepted artist will have 4 months to display artwork.
In exchange we can give you art supplies, exhibition space, mentorships, and additional exhibition opportunities all at no cost.
All teens are invited to attend monthly workshops taught by emerging artists. Workshops are free, but space is limited so please email for reservations.
Testimonials:
"Five years ago, when I was ten years old, I received a combined kidney/pancreas transplant. Before my transplant, while I was on dialysis waiting for organs to become available, I made friends with a girl named Charlie. She died waiting for an organ. I realized that, even though I had suffered through diabetes and kidney failure, I had been extremely lucky to receive the care I needed. Furthermore, I realized that there are people all across the world suffering the same fate Charlie did because of the lack of awareness about organ donation.
Upon seeing the work in ArtHatch, I was inspired to express my memories of kidney failure and diabetes through art. I created a plastic effigy in honor of Charlie. ArtHatch gave me a way to display my art and spread awareness at a real venue. Also, working with real artists gave me the opportunity to receive professional advice on my art. I got the chance to talk with other teens who were into art and learn about different styles and mediums. At the gallery, Melissa and Sam Walker helped me learn the mechanics of installing and displaying art. They also gave me the golden advice to hang a statement next to my work, so the viewers could know Charlie's story. Melissa showed me the different cards that artists make and gave me a place to present my own cards. I handed out invitations to all my friends and teachers.
Opening night was a big success. A fellow artist and bone marrow donor told me he would recommend me to another gallery. It was an amazing experience and, best of all, I was able to spread organ donation awareness among the community."
-Laura Slusser, age 15
"As an aspiring artist, I initially saw ArtHatch as a way to simply practice some of the skills I would need in my future career. Before ArtHatch, I was very intimidated by the idea of people viewing my work, and felt like I wasn't ready to be in a gallery or anything.
Melissa and the people at ArtHatch helped me learn all of the basics about showing in a gallery - pricing, varnishing, picking a wall, hanging artwork, and just talking to other artists in general. Even the required volunteer hours held value for me. Having never had a job before, it was just what I needed to feel confident helping around where I was needed, and makes the idea of getting a paid job in the future seem a lot less frightening.
The most incredible part of ArtHatch though, to me, was the connections I've made. Being more interested in entertainment/commercial art than fine art, I did not expect to make especially relevant contacts with other artists at ArtHatch. I was proved wrong when Melissa told me that one of the artists, Roel Jovellanos, worked as a concept artist at Sony Entertainment - the exact line of work I'm aiming for. During one of the gallery receptions, I got to meet him and speak with him, and he gave me so much advice and information. He even came up to the ArtHatch studio and gave us much-needed critiques. I now keep in touch with Roel, and I get so much advice and questions answered. He's even been keeping me updated on the status of Sony's internships, which I hope one day I'll be ready to apply for.
As my ArtHatch group is nearing the end of its session, I no longer feel intimidated. Having people critique and talk to me about my artwork has become a natural thing, and after it's all over, I plan on continuing to volunteer at the gallery, and perhaps even help the next ArtHatch group with setting up, if I'm around during that time. I hope that other teens can get as much out of ArtHatch as I did."
-Lillian Harter, age 17
Jenny Berber age 17
