FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2023

CONTACT
Elizabeth Gorenbergh
elizabeth@ryasap.org
203.290.1252

Bridgeport, CT – Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP), in collaboration with the Housatonic Museum of Art, will be presenting an exhibit this summer that examines the power of art in transforming young lives.

The collection, entitled “From the Concrete I Rose: Breaking Ground for the Next Generation of Artists”, will exclusively feature original artwork from local student artists and their mentors.

Hosted at Housatonic Community College, the exhibit will launch with a celebratory reception on Thursday, June 15, from 5:30–7pm. The show will then run from June 16 to August 4. Both the reception and the show are free and open to the public.

”We are so thrilled to share this inspiring exhibit with the broader Bridgeport community”, said Tyese Williams, RYASAP Case Manager/Youth Mentor of RYASAP. “Our goal is to highlight how powerful and transformative art can be, while also celebrating the talent and hard work of these young artists.”

The student artists featured in the collection worked for over six months with mentors Robert Stone and Tyese Williams, as well as other artists and mentors like Alicia Cobb and Kristy Paz, to develop their artistic voices. Starting with the ideas within the poem, “The Rose That Grew From Concrete” by Tupac Shaukur, the students learned how to share their life stories and unique perspectives, create images of self-empowerment, and discover new ways of seeing the world.

The result of their hard work is a gallery filled with inspiring, thoughtful pieces of art for the Bridgeport community to enjoy.

“A big part of what we do at RYASAP is helping young people find positive ways to express themselves,” said Mark Donald, CEO of RYASAP. “We provide them with the skills and knowledge that will empower them to grow into the best versions of themselves.”

The exhibition was made possible by the generous support of the Eileen Harris Norton Foundation and support from Milford Photo, the show will be curated by Robert Stone with support from the Housatonic Museum of Art staff.

For more information, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-the-concrete-i-rose-tickets-646522374827

About RYASAP

Established in 1985 and serving the greater Bridgeport region, RYASAP (Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership) works to ensure the safe and healthy development of youth, young adults, and families by actively engaging organizations, public officials, and community leaders around issues that matter most to the community. www.ryasap.org

About the Housatonic Museum of Art

The Housatonic Museum of Art (HMA) holds one of the largest art collections of any community college in the United States with almost 7,000 artworks. The HMA offers students and the community alike the opportunity to view original artworks spanning from ancient to contemporary art throughout the 300,000 square foot campus. Visitors also enjoy the special exhibitions and programs offered in the Burt Chernow Galleries.

The HMA is free and open to the public Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 7pm. Free parking is available in the HCC lot (870 Lafayette Blvd). Call 203-332-5052 or visit them at https://museum.housatonic.edu/