The Breakthrough Artists exhibit was a wonderful opportunity for the International Teen Outreach Program (ITOP) students from Cameron Middle School to see a direct link between either their own or their parents’ story and other people in the world who have also struggled with leaving everything behind in order to have new opportunities, a better life, or simply to achieve freedom from things like heated political or religious conflicts, street violence, drug wars, or an oppressive society. My students were impressed and touched by the artistic and sentimental display through the paintings, the sculptures, and the pictures. They had lots of questions and actually understood a part of history in a way that a book can never explain. They were able to connect with the situations depicted in pictures, with the feelings expressed by phrases in a painting, with the painful memory of leaving a place which used to be called home because of the dire situations they had to face and at the same time were inspired by the artists’ stories of success after the move. I commend Jeff Thinnes and the artists who are part of the tour for sharing their stories and their time with the local youth. I think students do not get enough chances to connect with artists and learn about art, and those chances are key to help youth grow, have different role models, exposure to different career paths and ways to express their feelings in a healthier manner and also show them that with determination and hard work they can reach their goals and stave off all the negative pathways surrounding them in life. Vanessa Lazón
Youth Engagement Specialist
Oasis Center
THE YOUTH OPPORTUNITY CENTER
1704 Charlotte Pike, Suite 200
Nashville, TN 37203
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