On June 4th yli Fresno hosted an art hop event to welcome the community to the yli’s new location in Fresno’s vibrant and diverse Tower district. The Art Hop program is a monthly event featuring art exhibits in over 60 art venues in Fresno County. Art venues include galleries/artist studios, retail outlets, and public spaces that the public could visit on the first and third Thursdays of each month. The festivities included videos, campaign posters and photovoice projects showcasing the Fresno and Clovis youth councils’ exciting and progressive work. The Art Hop sprung to life with local musicians and artists. Most notably, Chad Balderas of U-FLY (Urban Fresno’s Leading Youth) displayed a collection of original art pieces and Clovis Youth Council member Raphique Barakat and Marc Salinas exhibited their musical talents with an acoustic set. A lively impromptu open mic session added to the community spirit. Included in the celebration were two collaborative art pieces that required the participation of the guests. The Live Mural was a collaborative mural where all art hoppers could express themselves with paints and markers on a giant canvas. The mural morphed many times during the evening and by the end of the event, reflected beautifully the diversity of the community.
The “I Believe” tree was a collaborative art piece where Art Hoppers were asked to write on an ornament what they believe in and hope for our youth today and then hang it on the tree for all to see. One art hopper commented that he enjoyed the “diversity of people” present at the event and the “freedom of expression” provided by the open mic session and collaborative art pieces. Another said she felt the event was “really special” because “the community had the opportunity to see the positive things that youth are doing here in Fresno.” Check out more photos of the event at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ylifresno/sets/
