ArtPrize entry brings healing to troubled Ottawa County teens
A powerful exhibit created by teen girls in a residential treatment program displays beauty in brokenness.
The 20th Circuit Court, Juvenile Court Division in Ottawa County is entered in the ArtPrize 10 youth collaboration division. The sculpture, Masked, was created by the girls who are court-ordered into the county's Lighthouse Program. Lighthouse treats adolescent girls within the detention center who have experienced trauma and the resulting mental and behavioral challenges. The masks are a therapeutic expression of the girls’ pain and suffering. They are also evidence of the girls’ hopes and visions of their lives without these negative experiences.
The arts function as a conduit for helping them create a brighter future for themselves. “This experience has taught me how I truly feel deep inside and that I used to hold on to so much. It would drag me down way deep inside. I have learned I have the strength to overcome it all,” said Destiny when asked about her experience creating the art piece.
The girls worked with Bob Alward, Superintendent of Detention, their art teacher, Angie Briggs-Johnson, and program supervisor, Michelle Anguiano.
Masked can be viewed on the third floor of the B.O.B. in Grand Rapids. The young artists and county staff will be present on September 19 from 1-4PM to talk with the public about their entry.
The sculpture is the second entry into ArtPrize for the
Ottawa County Juvenile Detention Center residents. A large mural that represented
multi-culturalism was entered into ArtPrize during 2009. The residents also created ceramic soup bowls for auction which supported God’s Kitchen.
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