Bold Disobedience
Jun 23–Sep 1, 2017
In partnership with Mikva Challenge
Thalia Agosto, Natalie Aparicio, Evan Calabrese, Angela Davis Fegan, Maya Halko, Josue Herrera, Zachary Huff, Jaclyn Jacunski, Kuumba Lynx, Yvette Mayorga, Cheryl Pope, Prison + Neighborhood Arts Project, Sarah Ross, Dread Scott, Raven Smith
Bold Disobedience is a group exhibition organized by a council of twelve student curators. This collection of works demonstrates myriad social issues that matter to youths today. The exhibition comprises works by local professional artists as well as student artists from the Chicago High School for the Arts. These artworks grapple with the issues that our team of student curators have deemed most critical in our conflicted contemporary culture, promoting racial justice, economic equity, and queer rights. The student curators have directed every aspect of this exhibition, from research to conceptualization to installation.
Curator’s Note
Examining the world with intense curiosity, teens today are able to see beyond the social myths designed by white supremacy and colonialism that continue to obfuscate reality in the minds of adults. Needless to say, the opportunity to work with these impressive youths has been an incredible, transformative experience from start to finish. I have learned so much from their compassion and courage to speak truth to power. It has been one of my life’s great privileges to share in these conversations the myriad ways art can effect change and give young people the agency to be upstanders to injustice.
— Meg Noe
Public Programs
Exhibition Dates
Jun 23–Sep 1, 2017
Opening Reception
Jun 23, 2017, 5–8PM
Workshop
Jun 28–30, 2017, 1–4PM
In the spirit of Bold Disobedience, the gallery offers a free three-day workshop for students ages 11-14 to learn about social justice, how art expresses ideas, and how to curate. This hands-on, immersive experience will give youth a chance to make and present their own art and to convey what matters to them.
Fundraiser
Jul 13, 2017, 6–8PM
Youth Power = Youth Peace. Join our partners from Mikva Challenge at the gallery to learn more about their work with youth in Chicago and nationally. Enjoy a guided tour of Bold Disobedience led by the youth curators who formed the exhibition. Support the incredible efforts of Mikva Challenge to encourage and enable young people's critical engagement in their world.
Conversation
Jul 20, 2017, 5–7PM
Youth Power = Vibrant Cities. Mikva Challenge will partner with the Chicago Architecture Foundation to host a conversation between Kayce Bayer, Chris Lin, Gabrielle Lyon, and Deon Reed, authors of No Small Plans, a graphic novel that follows the neighborhood adventures of teens in Chicago's past, present, and future as they wrestle with designing the city they want, need, and deserve. These members of Eyes of the Cat illustration studio will discuss their experiences creating No Small Plans. Jacob Naszke, a teen from Jones College Prep who served as a curator of Bold Disobedience, will moderate the conversation, which will be followed by a book signing and a gallery tour.
Discussion
Aug 3, 4–6PM
Mikva Challenge hosts a panel discussion on civics, identity development, and the adolescent brain. Experts in the field will speak to the importance of social and emotional learning in teens. Panelists include: Dr. Robert Sherman, Senior Fellow, Stuart Foundation; Jenny Sazama, Director & Co-Founder, Youth on Board; Kiela McNair, Operations & Alum, Kuumba Lynx; moderated by Michelle Morales, CEO, Mikva Challenge.
Press
Chicago Reader
The Chicago Tribune
CAN TV
Teen Vogue
Visual Art Source
Partner
Mikva Challenge develops youth to be informed, empowered, and active citizens and community leaders. They do this by engaging youth in action civics, an authentic and transformative learning process built on youth voice and youth expertise.
Bold Disobedience, installation views at Weinberg/Newton Gallery, 2017
Bold Disobedience
Jun 23–Sep 1, 2017
In partnership with Mikva Challenge
Thalia Agosto, Natalie Aparicio, Evan Calabrese, Angela Davis Fegan, Maya Halko, Josue Herrera, Zachary Huff, Jaclyn Jacunski, Kuumba Lynx, Yvette Mayorga, Cheryl Pope, Prison + Neighborhood Arts Project, Sarah Ross, Dread Scott, Raven Smith
Bold Disobedience is a group exhibition organized by a council of twelve student curators. This collection of works demonstrates myriad social issues that matter to youths today. The exhibition comprises works by local professional artists as well as student artists from the Chicago High School for the Arts. These artworks grapple with the issues that our team of student curators have deemed most critical in our conflicted contemporary culture, promoting racial justice, economic equity, and queer rights. The student curators have directed every aspect of this exhibition, from research to conceptualization to installation.
Curator’s Note
Examining the world with intense curiosity, teens today are able to see beyond the social myths designed by white supremacy and colonialism that continue to obfuscate reality in the minds of adults. Needless to say, the opportunity to work with these impressive youths has been an incredible, transformative experience from start to finish. I have learned so much from their compassion and courage to speak truth to power. It has been one of my life’s great privileges to share in these conversations the myriad ways art can effect change and give young people the agency to be upstanders to injustice.
— Meg Noe
Public Programs
Exhibition Dates
Jun 23–Sep 1, 2017
Opening Reception
Jun 23, 2017, 5–8PM
Workshop
Jun 28–30, 2017, 1–4PM
In the spirit of Bold Disobedience, the gallery offers a free three-day workshop for students ages 11-14 to learn about social justice, how art expresses ideas, and how to curate. This hands-on, immersive experience will give youth a chance to make and present their own art and to convey what matters to them.
Fundraiser
Jul 13, 2017, 6–8PM
Youth Power = Youth Peace. Join our partners from Mikva Challenge at the gallery to learn more about their work with youth in Chicago and nationally. Enjoy a guided tour of Bold Disobedience led by the youth curators who formed the exhibition. Support the incredible efforts of Mikva Challenge to encourage and enable young people's critical engagement in their world.
Conversation
Jul 20, 2017, 5–7PM
Youth Power = Vibrant Cities. Mikva Challenge will partner with the Chicago Architecture Foundation to host a conversation between Kayce Bayer, Chris Lin, Gabrielle Lyon, and Deon Reed, authors of No Small Plans, a graphic novel that follows the neighborhood adventures of teens in Chicago's past, present, and future as they wrestle with designing the city they want, need, and deserve. These members of Eyes of the Cat illustration studio will discuss their experiences creating No Small Plans. Jacob Naszke, a teen from Jones College Prep who served as a curator of Bold Disobedience, will moderate the conversation, which will be followed by a book signing and a gallery tour.
Discussion
Aug 3, 4–6PM
Mikva Challenge hosts a panel discussion on civics, identity development, and the adolescent brain. Experts in the field will speak to the importance of social and emotional learning in teens. Panelists include: Dr. Robert Sherman, Senior Fellow, Stuart Foundation; Jenny Sazama, Director & Co-Founder, Youth on Board; Kiela McNair, Operations & Alum, Kuumba Lynx; moderated by Michelle Morales, CEO, Mikva Challenge.
Press
Chicago Reader
The Chicago Tribune
CAN TV
Teen Vogue
Visual Art Source
Partner
Mikva Challenge develops youth to be informed, empowered, and active citizens and community leaders. They do this by engaging youth in action civics, an authentic and transformative learning process built on youth voice and youth expertise.
Bold Disobedience, installation views at Weinberg/Newton Gallery, 2017