Youth from the Lackawanna County Juvenile Detention Center found ways to express their feelings artistically and now will share their intimate works with the public through an exhibit for Scranton's First Friday Art Walk.
Boys at the center have created small canvases of artwork for inclusion in three larger mosaics that will go on display starting Friday at Library Express on the Mall at Steamtown's second floor and remain up through May. The artwork is the product of an enrichment program Scranton School District and Albright Memorial Library run in partnership with the juvenile detention center, which houses boys.
Promotes self expression
The program began last year as a book club for the summer, when the center's educational program is off, said Anne Salerno, director of federal programs for Scranton School District, which handles education at the center. They brought in guest artists and musicians as well, she added, and the program grew to continue throughout the school year.
"(The boys) love it because it's obviously (a) diversion for them, and it's a way for them to express themselves," Ms. Salerno said. "Outside of the educational program that's offered to them during the day, they don't really have any other exposure to any other type of activities."
The enrichment program focuses on art, literature and music and occurs weekly during the school year and twice weekly in the summer. In addition to hearing music and making art, students can even sign up for library cards and take out library books and CDs.
Musician Patrick Finnerty, who often performs for the students at the center, also will play during the exhibit's opening reception, which will take place Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Library Express. Anna Kilcullen, a young adult librarian at Albright Memorial Library who helps with the program along with the library's head of public services, Marie Crispino, said she knows his music has an impact on the students because the boys often talk about his music when she visits.
Improves behavior
While the program can be sad "because the kids are in such dire straights," it also feels rewarding because the boys really appreciate it, Ms. Kilcullen said.
"We paint, we do masks, we do all sorts of things, and they really take their time and get into it," Ms. Kilcullen said of the students. "And some of them just realize they actually have talent, too, that they never knew before, and that's really inspiring when that happens."
Students' behavior and participation has improved since the program began, Ms. Salerno said, and even though they have made some poor life choices outside the center, they still are children who need ways to express themselves.
"It's different from their regular school program," Ms. Salerno said. "Instead of just the basics they're getting between reading, math, history (and) science, this is giving them another avenue of expression, and it's interesting for them."
Art therapist Lolita Nogan, who works with the students and came up with the idea for the First Friday exhibit, does a different project with the students each week, Ms. Kilcullen said, like having the boys pick out emoticons and paint what those feelings mean to them. The artwork for the mosaics ranges from abstract to stenciled pieces. Ms. Kilcullen estimated that many of the boys who participated range in age from 14 to 16 years, and all the artwork is anonymous.
Ms. Salerno said the quality of the artwork and what it means to the students probably will surprise the public.
"A lot of people aren't even aware that we provide an educational program to the students out there," she said.
Ms. Kilcullen said the organizers see the First Friday exhibit as "having some legs and occurring again just because it's so phenomenal to see what they do, and First Friday's a great venue for us."
"We have been doing this for a year, and we feel like we want the public to see that these kids are talented, and they have a lot of promise, and they create such wonderful work every week with us," Ms. Kilcullen said. "We wanted to share that with the community."
Contact the writer: cheaney@timesshamrock.com, @cheaneyTT on TwitterIf you go
What: Mosaics by boys at the Lackawanna County Juvenile Detention Center with music by Patrick Finnerty
When: Opening reception Friday, 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Library Express, second floor, Mall at Steamtown
Details: For more information, call 348-3000, ext. 3041. first friday activities
n Two exhibits: Fowl, sculpture and painting by Richard Lichtenstein; The Landscape Show, works by various artists; Afa Gallery, 514 Lackawanna Ave.
n One Shot Picture Photography: works by Dave Guman, Amendolaro, 410 Spruce St.
n Abstract Landscapes: works by Brooke Wandall, ArtWorks Gallery & Studio, 503 Lackawanna Ave.
n Swinging Sixties: "Pride & Prejudice" cast and Ballroom ONE Dancers interactive showcase of early 1960s music/dance; introductory lessons; Ballroom ONE Dance Team performance; "Pride & Prejudice" preview; Ballroom ONE, second floor, 209 N. Washington Ave.
n Reflections: works by Dmitriy Soliterman featuring Little Hand/Big Art Students' Artwork and Hands-On Painting for Children and Adults; Greater Scranton Jaycees' membership mixer; Bella Faccias Personalized Chocolates & Gifts LLC, 516 Lackawanna Ave.
n Shutterbug Photography: works by various artists, Benjamin Adcroft Studio, 531 Bogart Court.
n Exposing Children to the Arts: works by various children artists; children art creation; Big Brothers Big Sisters information; Big Brothers Big Sisters, 538 Spruce St.
n Illustrations: works by Lani Almodoval, The Bog, 341 Adams Ave.
n Street Work: works by Rolfe Ross, Camerawork Gallery, 515 Center St.
n Juried Art Exhibit: works by NEPA homeschoolers, CareNet of Scranton, 310 Adams Ave.
n My Pencil's Dream: music, art and fun by Brendan Howells, Center City Print, 119 Penn Ave.
n A Family Affair: acrylic paintings by Joseph and Sharon Paciotti; jewelry by Ashley Haas; Caf? Trio, Chocolate Creations, Ferrone Winery and Realty Network Commercial Group, 400 Spruce St.
n New York City Faces and Places: works by Lois Dreater, City Caf?, 116 N. Washington Ave.
n West Scranton High School/Scranton High School Collaborative Art Exhibition: works by high school students; music by Scranton High School Orchestra members and Crockpot Abduction; Connell Lofts, 126 N. Washington Ave.
n World Laughter Day Mural: Heart to Art Community Mural by Judith Youshock and World Laughter Day Scranton attendees, Lackawanna County Courthouse Square.
n Guitarist Stephen Hoover: The Crazy Pineapple, 317 Linden St.
n Human Translations: works by Kayla Collura, Duffy Jewelers, 500 Mifflin Ave.
n Nature and Animal Photography: works by Ben Walker; music by String Quartet, benefiting Indraloka Sanctuary; Eden - a vegan cafe, 344 Adams Ave.
n Music by DJ Maze Oner: Exhale Hookah Lounge & Kabob Grill, 136 Wyoming Ave.
n Illustrations: works by Devon O'Keefe; music by Music For Models; Grand Lobby, Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel, 700 Lackawanna Ave.
n May the Fourth Be With You - A Star Wars Inspired Show: works by various artists; Those Clever Foxes CD release; The Keys Beer & Spirits, 244 Penn Ave.
n Undetermined: works by Jackie DeLucca, Kildare's Irish Pub, 119 Jefferson Ave.
n Questions of Time: works by Madison Levinson, Mission Yoga, 544 Spruce St.
n Unimpeded Imagination: works by Jordan Fees, Chantal Rich and Ashley Ruth Truitt; New Visions Studio & Gallery, 201 Vine St.
n Spring Has Sprung: floral displays/events; music by DJ Walt Luke; POSH at the Scranton Club, 404 N. Washington Ave.
n Into the Forest: works by Maria Grzybowski; music by West Scranton Intermediate Strings Orchestra; Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple, 420 N. Washington Ave.
n "Museum": University of Scranton Players performance, Royal Theatre, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts, University of Scranton, 800 Linden St.
n MUSATA presents: Living with HeART: works by Marywood University art therapy students, Vintage Theater, 326 Spruce St.
n Italian Influences at the Ritz: works by various artists/Marywood University senior art class Rome study tour participants; Capra Collina Winery; Saved Soaps; Sweet Lush Cupcakery; McNichols Plaza Art Class; Illumination Arts; music by West Scranton Improvisation Group; Wendell & Co. Interior Design & Antiques, 222 Wyoming Ave.
n Patrolling the Electric City: photography by Danielle Sheerin, Whiskey Dick's, 308 N. Washington Ave.
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