Wake Up Sonoma and Art Escape are collaborating on a program, Art for Inclusion, that will bring teens in Sonoma Valley together in free workshops to create artworks reflecting what inclusion means to them, with some of the works later included in a poster displayed by supporting businesses.
Wake Up Sonoma and Art Escape are collaborating on a program, Art for Inclusion, that will bring teens in Sonoma Valley together in free workshops to create artworks reflecting what inclusion means to them, with some of the works later included in a poster displayed by supporting businesses.
“Art Escape is committed to creating a safe, welcoming space where everyone feels seen, valued and free to express themselves through art,” said Alma Bastress, head of community operations and company engagement for Art Escape. “This project extends that safe space beyond our walls and into the broader community, giving local teens a platform to share their voices and actively shape the kind of community they live in.
“It makes inclusion visible and tangible — something people can see, feel and carry into their everyday lives.”
All the workshops will be led by Art Escape’s teaching artists, with support from their assistants, in Boyes Hot Springs businesses. They will consist of a collage workshop at Cielito Coffee & Ice Cream on Sept. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m.; a stenciling workshop at Art Escape on Sept. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m.; and a pen and ink workshop at the combined location of La Michoacana Natural Ice Cream and Plain Jane’s Consignments on Oct. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Participants must be 13 to 19 years old and although priority will be given to teens living in Sonoma Valley, those from outside the area can also join the workshops. Teens interested in signing up can do so at https://artescapesonoma.jumbula.com/art-for-inclusion-project.
“Teens will be asked to review and discuss with a facilitator the concept of inclusion and explore, with their art, what it means to them,” said Lisa Storment, president of Wake Up Sonoma. “They then will create art that expresses their view on inclusion. We think teens have an incredibly insightful artistic grasp of complex social ideas and we can’t wait to see what they come up with!”
Ashley Singer, who is spearheading the organizational components of the project and serving as project manager, said it is imperative to listen to and learn from all generations on the topic of inclusion.
“We’re eager to see what the artwork teaches us in how inclusion is portrayed or conceived among teens in the Valley today,” she said.
Storment said that the project will enable them to have a voice on an important social issue.
“In these times, teens are acutely aware of the changes in our democracy and society due to the extreme amount of social media they participate in,” she said. “Many feel helpless and possibly lean toward apathy because it is so overwhelming. This type of project can give them an outlet to feel like they are contributing to the local community and the larger issue of social justice in some way. We want them to feel engaged and that their art is making a difference.”
An art show featuring the teens’ works is planned for November to enable business owners, community members, nonprofit organizations and artists to understand the purpose of the project.
She hopes that the art show will help reveal to others how teens are feeling about inclusion, where they see gaps and inequalities, and what it means to them to feel included, among other things.
The program also aims to build solidarity among Sonoma Valley businesses who support equity and inclusion.
Project organizers plan to form a team of business owners, nonprofit organizations and community members to establish a set of inclusiveness and equity principles and to help select the teen art pieces that best demonstrate them. Anyone who is interested in joining the team is invited to send an email to wakeupsonoma@gmail.com.
The organizers then plan to find businesses that are interested in participating in the program by committing to the principles and demonstrate how their practices foster equity and inclusion in the Valley. Businesses that opt in will be regularly advertised on Wake Up Sonoma’s social media, newsletter and website, and mentioned in newspaper ads that indicate they are inclusive and recommended.
“While this program is aimed at establishing the idea that inclusiveness is desirable for a business, we know that many if not most businesses in our valley hold these ideals already as a business practice,” Storment said. “We don’t assume we necessarily will convince anyone to shift their perspective, but we do think that businesses will agree to be more visible about their business practices of inclusiveness in order to promote great safety and positivity in our shopping community. We hope that this will take hold and become a model across the country.”
