WhatARTu Inspires Young Artists to Create and Celebrate

OpenedEyes

The organization OpenedEyes is bringing their third annual student art show, What Art U?, to the Martin Luther King center for a one-day show. The event's goal is to give creative kids in Erie an outlet to show their art to the community, all while helping them reach an answer to the titular existential question.

SATURDAY, MAY 17

The Martin Luther King Center will, once again, feature a diverse gallery of artwork from students in grades K through 12 across Erie County, titled WhatARTu?

Celebrating its third year and collection, WhatARTu? is a youth art gallery hosted by OpenedEyes that challenges young creators to tell their stories through visual art while answering the question, "What are you?"

"WhatARTu? is about telling the audience who you are," lead coordinator Ceaser Westbrook (40 Under 40 Class of 2020) said. "It can be about something you have done, something you've been through, something that has happened. Anything that allows the viewer to learn more about the artist."

Art of all sizes and media have been accepted and encouraged, further liberating the artists to express themselves. As of last year, works of poetry and dance have even made their way onto the scene.

Westbrook reflected on his experience working on the show, describing it as "fulfilling" upon seeing the excitement and passion these students put into their creations. "These works have had a lot of detail and expression put into them."

As always, the goal of the event is to bring on new participants for the following year and to increase the number of organizations involved. As the project grows, organizers hope to continue to add new key elements and attractions to the show.

The gallery will only be open for one day, which is an aspect Westbrook hopes to change someday. Each year, the collections have been featured at different venues and will continue to switch it up in future installations. "This helps to keep things fresh and allows the public to experience what these locations have to offer," Westbrook explained.

In addition to the event, food trucks, raffle auctions, face painting, craft vendors, caricature drawings, and more will be made available to the public.

Noon to 5 p.m. // Martin Luther King Center, 312 Chestnut St. // Free // For more info: facebook.com/openedeyesnonprofit