Artists between the ages of 11 and 18 are invited to submit their artwork until May 27 for a juried exhibition celebrating Pride Month organized by the Long Beach Public Library and the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA).
“I really wanted to do something where people, teenagers specifically, could just use their voices in art form if they wanted to, sort of like an escape or a way to let them sort of express themselves through art,” said Eric Cardoso, senior librarian for the Los Altos Neighborhood Library.
Artists are asked to create and submit work based on the theme “Color of Pride.”
Cardoso came up with the idea for the exhibit and reached out to MOLAA to collaborate on the project.
Each individual is able to submit up to two pieces of two-dimensional art work. Those who submit their artwork are asked to make sure any paint or glue used is completely dry by the time they send it in.
The work will be evaluated by a three-person jury, consisting of Luis Cortes of MOLAA, Christine Hertzel of the Long Beach Public Library and Joel Gemino of The LGBTQ Center Long Beach.
“We’re really hoping that we will be able to get a lot of entries. We hope people participate,” Cardoso said. “We’re really, really excited for it.”
The jury will select 12 works of art that embody “Color of Pride,” so that one can be displayed at each of the Long Beach Public Library branches during Pride Month.
“I think it’s really important to get the community, especially teens, involved in participating in programs and with Pride,” Cardoso said.
Youth artists can submit their artwork through Airtable until May 27. Visit molaa.org for more information.
