Can You See Me? Arts Exhibit by Incarcerated Youth
Spreads Awareness about Mental Health Injustices in Juvenile Prisons
Arts & Culture Black Girls Dance: Mary, a Holiday Dansical
Tiana Allen CNW Contributor
A
ccording to the American Civil Liberties Union, “On any given day, nearly 60,000 youth under the age of 18 are incarcerated in juvenile jails and prisons in the United States.” In Illinois, The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) has only 5 secured facilities in the state and 16 Juvenile Detention Centers. A February 2022 report by the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission (IJJC) shares that of the 353 youths incarcerated between the 16 detention centers this year, 49 identified as female and 304 identified as male, whereas 326 of the crimes were reported out of Cook County under ‘unlawful use of a weapon.’ Further, 44 of those youths were Identified as Hispanic and 240 were identified as Black. So far, Cook County carries the majority of the admissions. The World Population Review informs that in 2022, the recidivism rate for Illinois within 1 year of release is 17% and within 3 years of release is 43%. The Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council estimated that the recidivism rate would cost taxpayers $13 billion over 5 years if nothing is done to decrease it. One Art Therapist vowed to step up for youths in the criminal justice system and reduce recidivism one art piece at a time. CEO of SkyArt Studios, Sara Ward is waging “Art Justice.” Ward and her team assembled a unique art exhibit all created by the currently incarcerated youth they work with. The exhibit is justly called ‘Can You See Me?’ Program Director of SkyArt Studios, Devon VanHouten-Maldonado shares how all the pieces came to life. “This exhibit was a call to respond to the mental health needs of the community during the pandemic.” “Art is inherently therapeutic” includes Ward. “To be able to express themselves through a picture, instead of personally reliving that trauma, allows the therapist to connect the dots with them.” “Incarceration is not the best way to rehabilitate children, adds Maldonado, “the system is traumatizing enough within itself.” Circles and Ciphers, an all-youth-led organization that uses hip-hop as a form of December 14 - December 20, 2022
social and restorative justice, installed the display of “LETTERS.” Located in Rogers Park, this group of young people under thirty, support their peers who were impacted by violence, homelessness, abuse, gang affiliation, and in the criminal justice system. “Hip hop is the main communicator to reach the youth because that’s what they listen to.” States Co-Executive Director Ann Marie Brown “Circles” also places $100 stipends on the books of the youth in need at Cook County Jail. “We do what we can to give them a voice and bring awareness to the impact of youth incarceration.” Brown mentions “At one point, we had an airplane fly over the Cook County Jail saying, “JAIL IS NOT MY HOME.” Approved by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ), two youths serving their sentences at the Illinois Youth Center at Chicago (IYC) Chicago were able to personally share more about the art they contributed to the exhibit. The “UNITY” installation is a display created by five youths at IYC who worked collaboratively for two weeks on the piece. One youth stated “UNITY” “describes how gang violence is tearing people apart.” “I want to be the help that people don’t see coming.” expressed another youth “I used to cry myself to sleep every night and yell for “help,” but unfortunately no one came to my side. Now, I want to mentor others to be the help that I didn’t receive.” “Our program never stops,” says Warren. “We are consistent throughout the year and for the duration of a youth’s prison sentence. This allows them to let down their guard and connect with us knowing we will be there every week.” “The SkyArt Program is like going to Therapy” chimes in one youth “I think the juvenile justice system is a plan and set up for failure” Warren transparently shares. “When they get out, they get wrapped back up in the same shit they were doing to get them in there in the first place.” While working on this project with other young men from various backgrounds, one youth shared “I learned that although we grew up differently, we share the same struggles. Meaning, we were each targeted since the day we were born.” The ‘Can You See Me’ Art Exhibit is taking place across 3 spaces SkyArt Studios (South Chicago) 3026 E. 91st St., Weinberg Newton Gallery 688 N. Milwaukee, and Arts + Public Life 301 E. Garfield Boulevard The exhibit will run from October 28th – December 20th, 2022.
Marti Worrell CNW Arts & Culture Editor
O
n December 19th, Chicago audiences will be treated to the glorious return of the holiday production reimagining the Langston Hughes 1961 classic, Black Nativity. Returning to the University of Chicago’s Logan Center for the Arts where it was first performed in 2021, “Mary, A Holiday Dansical”, written, choreographed, and directed by Black Girls Dance Founder, Erin Barnett puts a modern spin on the traditional story of the Black Nativity. Barnett’s version gives the classic a fresh look utilizing the multiple genres of ballet, hip-hop, tap, and contemporary dance. Mary, portrayed by Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep senior Meika Haywood, a teen searching for her life purpose is visited by an angel who informs her she has been chosen to conceive and give birth to the child who is destined to become the world’s Savior. To deal with this daunting revelation, she turns to her close circle of friends and family for support. The cast features 17 dancers which include two professionals, Erica Wade as Mary’s mother, Prophet Tina, and Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre member, Mekeba Malik as Joseph. The rest of the cast is filled by dance students from Black Girls Dance, the Chicago High School for the Arts, and Asia’s Dance Factory of Gary, Indiana. “Mary” will feature several popular Christmas songs including Mary, Did You Know, and Joy to the World. With the return of “Mary” for its second year to the Logan Center for the Arts, Barnett said, “We hope “Mary” becomes a new holiday tradition audiences and dancers can enjoy for years to come.” While a student at Howard University, Ms. Barnett took part in the 1996 and ‘97 revival of the Hughes classic at the Kennedy Center. That experience planted the seed of her desire to create her own version of the beloved musical. Barnett, a Chicago native, was the first African American Clara in the Chicago Tribune Charities production of The Nutcracker. Black Girls Dance, Ms. Barnett’s passion project, was founded in 2015 and became a non-profit organization in 2021. Its mission is to cultivate, empower and support women in the pursuit of their dream of performing. As part of its mission, the organization grants scholarships to pre-professionals to train at the studio or institution of their choice. Ms. Barnett remembers facing, what she called “the micro-aggressions of racism” while studying ballet as a child. The memory stuck and she remembers thinking “if I ever get to do something about it in my adult life, I would make sure that there was a space for girls of color to train without that pressure, a place where they could relate to their teachers and a place where they could experience a supportive community.” Black Girls Dance quickly outgrew the church basement where it started and is now based at the Mayfair Art Center at 8701 S. Bennett where ballet, tap, hip-hop, and contemporary dance classes are taught. “Mary, A Holiday Dansical“ performs Sunday, December 19th at 7:00 pm at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th Street. Visit blackgirlsdance.org to purchase tickets. Prices are $40 (General Admission) and $20 (children 11 and under). Let us make “Mary, A Holiday Dansical” a holiday tradition! Looking for more holiday-themed entertainment, remember to get your tickets for Black Ensemble’s tribute to the season, “Joy to the World: A Holiday Celebration” written and directed by Jackie Taylor. This uplifting, inspirational musical will be performed Dec. 17 – 18. Want your event considered for publication? Send your press releases, notices, flyers, etc. to Marti Worell, Arts & Culture Editor at chicagonewsweeklyeditorial@gmail.com. 13