Grant helps at-risk youth create art to cope and overcome challenges

Published: June 22, 2012

Girls assigned to the W.W. Long Youth Development Center in Aiken learn African drumming as a component of an arts emersion grant from the S.C. Arts Commission. image by: Clemson University

AIKEN — Art can be a powerful force in helping at-risk youth express themselves creatively and emotionally. From African drumming and woodworking to watercolor painting, a grant from the S.C. Arts Commission provides young people at a wilderness camp in Aiken the chance to learn art skills as a way of communicating and coping.

The W.W. Long Youth Development Center, a program for low-level juvenile offenders, is operated by Clemson University’s Youth Learning Institute in partnership with the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice. Youth are assigned to the program to serve short-term sentences to avoid incarceration at the main juvenile corrections facility.

Young women like Jordan, 17, said learning art skills at the center has helped her deal with some of the tough issues she says caused her to rebel and end up at the corrections facility.

“Next to my parents getting divorced, losing my best friend in a car accident with a drunk driver was the hardest thing I ever dealt with,” Jordan said. “Everything at Camp Long has a reason behind it, even the art classes. Woodworking was my favorite. I made a plaque in memory of my best friend.”

Kerrin Hopper, instructor for the watercolor classes, said she has a particular passion for working with students like Jordan.

“I believe there’s an artist in everyone. Troubled youth have locked-up potential that needs to be brought out,” said Hopper. “I learned so much from them. I watched girls who were quiet and barely smile just blossom.”

Hopper said while instructing a watercolor class she heard one girl exclaim, “’I had no idea I could do this!’”

Hopper said she believes the girls are changed forever by their experiences at Camp Long. “I’m glad art played a part in that,” she said.

Susan Alford, senior policy adviser for the Youth Learning Institute, wrote and coordinated the grant which awarded $10,000 that was equally matched by the institute.

“We have just begun to touch the surface in using expressive arts with at-risk youth,” Alford said. “By the time these young people reach our social services systems, they have often placed their emotional lives on ice. Bringing out their talent and creativity through multiple mediums gives them an opportunity to express themselves, gain leisure skills as well as the ability to work as a team.  We are very pleased with the outcomes of this grant initiative and extremely grateful to the Arts Commission for their support.”

Another Youth Development Center student, Diamond, 17, said, “At first, I didn’t think I could do it,” referring to watercolor painting. “But now, I know that if I get angry, I can take my anger out with the paint and create something pretty.”

END