YouthQuest Exhibition to Display 1,500+ Student-Created Art Pieces
(FLINT, Mich., April 16, 2018) – From April 24-26, Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy’s 11,000-square-foot atrium will be temporarily transformed into an art gallery celebrating the students in YouthQuest’s afterschool program.
The three-day ArtQuest exhibition will be open to the public and centers around the theme of “Art in Motion.” Visitors will find that the more than 1,500 pieces on display either depict motion or were created through movement. Japanese Koinobori kites will hang from the ceiling, and a selection of abstract art will show what students can accomplish by blowing paint through plastic straws.
“Every year, we dedicate a portion of our afterschool program to art,” said Rhetta Hunyady, vice president of Education & Training at the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, which administers YouthQuest. “Students learn about different techniques and are shown how to apply those methods on their own. It’s a great, hands-on way to foster skills like creativity and innovation – and have fun while doing it!”
In addition to art and enrichment activities, YouthQuest – which receives support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers – also places emphasis on academic support, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), physical fitness, nutrition, youth development and leadership, and family and community engagement.
During the exhibition, YouthQuest students and visitors can participate in a variety of make-and-take activities, including painting with ping pong balls and making paper spinners. Attendees are also encouraged to check out the performances, which will include everything from drumline demonstrations to a variety of dance routines.
Additionally, local artist Ryan Gregory will be on site with Peggy, an interactive sculpture inspired by the Greek myth of Pegasus. Visitors can move the wings of the piece – created from reclaimed steel pipes and other found objects in Flint – by pedaling a modified stationary bicycle.
According to Hunyady, this year’s event takes its theme from the “Sprint 4 Flint” fundraiser that ended in 2017. As part of the campaign, Flint-native Mark Braun and his nonprofit Mr. B’s Joybox Express raised funding and awareness for YouthQuest by transporting a 385-pound piano on a tricycle built for three from Flint to Mackinac Island.
“Mr. B’s project showed our students that art comes in many forms,” Hunyady said. “It excited their imaginations and inspired their creativity. This year’s artwork is evidence of that.”
Admission to ArtQuest is free, although guests are encouraged to RSVP by calling (810) 600-1422.
The exhibition will be open at Diplomat, at 4100 Saginaw St. in Flint, from 4-6 p.m. each day. Admission is free.
For more information, click here.
About YouthQuest
YouthQuest is a high-quality, research-based afterschool program offering educational and enrichment activities that engage young minds. Available at 16 sites in the city of Flint and Genesee County, YouthQuest serves 2,000 students in grades K-12 each year. The program is administered by the Genesee Area Focus Fund, a supporting organization of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. For more information, visit www.yquest.org.