Art/Act: Youth—Plastic Rebellion

Today’s youth are crucial in the fight for ecological justice, as evidenced by the many young climate activists pushing for change.

Art/Act: Youth – Plastic Rebellion unleashes their frustrations on the plastic pollution crisis. As the inheritors of our environmental challenges and injustices today, these youth artists have original and provocative messages for us all.

Come to be humbled, activated, and instilled with hope for the future.

The Brower Center's Art/Act: Youth program nurtures young environmental artists by fostering a community that supports and inspires their work—to ultimately empower the next generation of changemakers. Learn more.

Exhibition was on view Mar. 20 - Jun. 2, 2022.

EXPLORE THE EXHIBITION

Driven by climate concerns, these artists urge us to refuse plastic, fight for better policy, and keep our oceans clean.

Rebellion Beginnings
Deryk Hudson's class
Richmond High

Sierra-Elginsmith_Plastic-in-Nature_AAY2022

Permanent Impressions
Jamie Treacy's class
Skyline High

Polymer Probings
Conor Caroll's class
Skyline High

Illustrative Impact
Rachel Kantor's class
Skyline High

Plastic bottle skyscrapers against an apocalyptic red sky

Graphic Re-Think
Gabriel Berent's class
Berkeley High

VIDEOGRAPHY BY FLIPBIRD FILMS
COLOR GRADING BY FIELD STATION MEDIA

THE CHANGEMAKERS

Student artists range from 9th - 12th grades at Berkeley High, Skyline High (Oakland), and Richmond High Schools.

From Beginning Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Art and Chemistry—artists are led by Deryk Hudson, Gabriel Berent, Jamie Treacy, Rachel Kantor, Brian Wilson, and Conor Carroll.

Using arts-based research & interdisciplinary learning, educators push students beyond creating art for art’s sake to see their work as powerful tools to motivate change.

Co-founded in 2017 by Laurie Rich & Kimberley D'Adamo Green—Art/Act: Youth grew to 7 classes, 6 teachers, and over 100 students across 3 schools and cities.

Kimberley D'Adamo Green smiling and leaning on a table with interactive art quotes

Co-founder of Art/Act: Youth, Laurie Rich, former ED of Brower Center

Gabriel Berent, Art/Act: Youth teacher 2022, against students' graphic design art

Deryk Hudson, smiling with art of his students behind

Jamie Treacy, smiling with collagraph plate and intaglio art of his students behind

Rachel Kantor, Art/Act: Youth teacher, smiling in front of her class' collage work

From L>R: Kimberley D'Adamo Green, Laurie Rich, Gabriel Berent (Berkeley HS), Deryk Hudson (Richmond HS), Jaime Treacy & Rachel Kantor (both Skyline High)

Made possible through the generosity of
the Berkeley Civic Arts Program & Civic Arts Commission, Rich Robbins, EBMUD, and many supportive individuals.

3 panels of audiences viewing, discussing, and pointing at youth art on walls

HELP LAUNCH A VIRTUAL GALLERY & TOUR

As other schools clamor for 24/7 access—your tax deductible gift could inspire
communities and youth fighting plastic pollution in their own hometowns.
Help us meet a $5k match, so everyone everywhere can be motivated by
every work and statement from all 100 artists.

Donate today

from a former student

Héctor Muñoz Guzmán established his artist identity the day he saw his works exhibited here.
He was a high school student of Kimberley D'Adamo Green then
—finding solid confirmation in the Art/Act: Youth program in 2017.

DON'T GET DOWN. GET OUTSIDE!

Fighting plastic pollution can often feel heavy. These local groups are ready
to help you tap into the joy of the outdoors—just a park, hike, or surf ride away.