The Art of Empowerment Program is a unique program that engages young people of all walks of life in expression through art. Young people have a great deal to say, and a lot of it we as adults can learn a great deal from. The problem is that often times young people do not have a way to say what they feel. Many young people find it hard to describe their feelings, do not have the words and vocabulary to discribe their feelings or do not have confidence of feel safe  describing what they feel.  Art is a powerful tool in overcoming this. 

When Word Fail Art Speaks

We work with groups of young people teaching them how to use art to communicate and express. In classroom and workshop settings young people are guided in illustrating their thoughts, feelings, hopes and aspirations through drawing. With a simple method of creating art that allows young people of any ability to communicate and to portray sentiment, participants create story and message in their own way without judgement. This promotes the construction of imagery and story that enables youth to say, without words, what is important to them. 

On Large Scale

As we work through the stages of thought development, expression and creation if imagery, we direct this towards the community. Taking the visions of our young people we translate these to the streets and walls in the community. From here, youth are invited to be a part of painting the images and messaging they have developed onto walls in their neighbourhood. Images become larger than life as our youth teams paint massive murals that portray their feelings about their community, the environment, their struggles and their dreams. 

We have worked with thousands of young people in creating memorable experiences while giving them the power to express themselves. At the end of our projects walls and street fronts fo communities are transformed into landmarks and masterpieces  that are a legacy of youth expression of decades to come.