A Year in Isolation: Youth Mental Health

A Year in Isolation: Youth Mental Health is Advocacy Through Art's inaugural themed show.

This summer, Advocacy Through Art hosted their first art exhibition, A Year in Isolation: Youth Mental Health, in conjunction with Pacific Art League and Palo Alto Art Center. With COVID-19 and the pandemic affecting students’ mental health, the art show’s only guideline was for the artworks to address the artist’s experience with mental health during the pandemic. There were over 50 student artworks submitted and showcased, and five winners were picked by a panel of local artists judges including tw five, Chandrika Marla, and Barabara Boissevein. The two honorable mentions were Lila M.'s work Incubating and Nishi G.’s work Broken Beauty. The third place winner was James K.’s work titled Rat Race. Featuring a human figure with protruding spine, the figure is lit by the bright screen of the laptop. On the dark wall, a shadow of a human figure with a clock as a head raises its hands. For 3rd place, James received a $75 giftcard to BLICK art store, a Pacific Art League membership, and a tote bag. The second place winner was Meya G., with her painting Look at Me. Consisting of a blue, green, and white color palette, the painting consists of one large eyeball in the center and smaller eyeballs scattered around. For 2nd place, Meya received a $150 giftcard to BLICK art store, a Pacific Art League membership, and a tote bag. In first place, Samika A. won with her art piece titled I Just Want to Breathe. The work consists of an abstract figure with harsh brushstrokes and a realistic eye. For 1st place. Samika received a $250 giftcard to BLICK art store, a Pacific Art League membership, and a tote bag.

Advocacy Through Art thanks all of the student artists who submitted work and allowed us to exhibit their work. Additionally, we thank thinkfund for sponsoring our show, the Palo Alto Art Center, and the Pacific Art League for hosting our closing reception. And finally, thank you to our wonderful judges tw five, Chandrika Marla, and Barabara Boissevein.