Storytelling Shows Us Ourselves and One Another

Youth stories and artwork feature their communities as places that evoke powerful, engaging, entertaining stories about real problems and real possibilities for addressing community change. Youth StoryArt performances and exhibits draw adults and youth together in a common recognition of youth voices, in support of their community’s strengths and future.  Too often, the west side is only viewed through a deficit lens, depicted in news media as violent and despairing.  Youth storytelling and art shift the lens to possibilities and hope –which youth and artists will make visible to a wide audience, including the news media.
Small groups create different characters, storylines, and settings that include themes of justice, collective action, anti-bullying, life-saving food and shelter, friendship, and positive diverse identities including who they are as Black, Latinx, South Asian, Body positive, LGBTQ+ youth.  Artists recognize and value youth’s concerns and encourage them to be bold in their storytelling and art making.