Voices of the Woods
October 2019
Averill Park, NY, United States
A new program was introduced by Arts Letters & Numbers in October 2019. 12 students from Averill Park High School gathered in the studios every Tuesday afternoon for 8 weeks. The program Voices of the Woods was lead by ALN fellow Natasha Holmes, supported by Associate Director Frida Foberg, fellow Jennifer Park and fellow Hyunbae Chang.
The program was a result of focus groups in the town of Sand Lake discussing the causes and effects of the opioid crisis. The lack of places and activities for the local youth became evident and was identified as contributing to the crisis. This pilot program was made possible through the initiative of ALN fellow Nick Meehan and his work with the town of Sand Lake, the program received funding from NYSCAs decentralization grant.
Through photography, discussions, explorations, social media, movements, writing and drawing, the group of students explored the relation of self in context. Each week informed the following weeks beginning, and over the course of 8 weeks the content, focus and reflections expanded.
An impressive selection of works were exhibited in ALNs studios on Saturday Nov 16th. The attending parents, siblings, friends and neighbors were exposed to the creative approaches that each student, collaboratively and individually, had explored. Voices of the Woods was the beginning, we will be continuing and expanding this program in the coming months.
