The Junior ARTrepreneurs Program: Empowering Students to Pursue Their Passion for Art

The Junior ARTrepreneurs program was a huge success, with more than a hundred students, family members, and administrators coming together to support their junior high and high schoolers at the student art exhibition. The event was a testament to the program’s ability to empower students to pursue their passion for art. Shanna and Leanne Kim, sophomores at Canyon High School, were two of the students who showcased their art pieces at the exhibition. They had been preparing for this event since the fall semester, and were thrilled to finally showcase their work. The event was postponed due to the Hughes Fire, but the students were undeterred and were eager to share their creations with the community. “Before I started this class, I felt not very confident in my art. I felt like my art was inferior to other people’s. But being in this art program, I had to learn how to look at other people’s art and be like their art is awesome and so is mine,” said Shanna Kim. The program was a partnership between Heroes of Color and the Hart district’s Career and College Readiness program. School site administrators selected students who had a passion for art and a passion for pursuing a career in the arts. The students were given the opportunity to explore their talent, learn skills that they would need to make it into a career, and develop a portfolio of their work. Carolyn Hoffman, director of the CCR program, said that the student art exhibition was put together to show off the skills that the students learned in both their talent and how to sell their work. The event was a huge success, with many students selling their art pieces and earning money for themselves. “Tonight is truly extraordinary. I’ve already spent many dollars of my own,” said Hoffman. “They’re all here and anything that you buy, all of that goes to the students. So, it’s really teaching them again, their arts, their career, and also the opportunity to sell. Many of them have information sheets where people can also purchase in the future, if maybe something that they see has already sold out.” The program also had a culinary art component, where students could learn new skills and showcase their creations. Several high schools had bands performing throughout the evening, adding to the festive atmosphere. David Heredia, founder and CEO of Heroes of Color, was grateful for the partnership with the district and being given the opportunity to show what the students take away from the program. “Even though this is really focusing on entrepreneurship and the arts, students are finding their voice,” he said. “They’re finding a way to tap into things that they really like and are advocating for themselves, which it was an unintended part. That wasn’t my original pitch to them, but to see that happening is just so remarkable. So, I am truly, truly grateful for the Hart district in allowing me and my instructors to bring this to them.”

Emma Carlos, a junior at Sierra Vista Junior High School, was another student who showcased her art pieces at the exhibition. She had been pulled out of one of her classes one day and told about the program, and was excited to share her creations with the community. “I would definitely say that a lot more people should be focused on more stuff like this than just being on their phone and being sad. If you’re sad, I encourage people to go do something with it; use it as motivation,” said Carlos. The Junior ARTrepreneurs program is a great example of how art can be used as a tool for personal growth and empowerment. It provides students with the opportunity to explore their passion for art, learn new skills, and develop a portfolio of their work. The program also fosters a sense of community and connection among students, which is essential for their mental health and well-being. Miko Castro, a sophomore at Valencia High School, said that his work was strongly based off his culture. “A lot of my art is inspired by my culture. I am Mexican, my grandparents immigrated here years and years ago and I take a lot of pride in that. I take pride in who I am and what I represent. I do things that let people know what I am and I’m not afraid to show that,” said Castro. Legend Goff, a junior at Bowman High School, said that the program helped him grow closer to his friends and find more connections with other students. “I used my art as a channel to help my mental health and learn how I could potentially make a career with selling my art,” said Goff. The Junior ARTrepreneurs program is a great example of how art can be used as a tool for personal growth and empowerment. It provides students with the opportunity to explore their passion for art, learn new skills, and develop a portfolio of their work. The program also fosters a sense of community and connection among students, which is essential for their mental health and well-being. The event was a huge success, with many students selling their art pieces and earning money for themselves. The program also provided a platform for students to showcase their work and connect with the community.