"Brave space" for teens at Queens Teens Institute for Art & Social Justice, where art and activism meet

NEW YORK - Color on petals and patterns in bark at the Queens Botanical Garden make a vibrant setting for considering the future of our planet for a special group of students.

Twenty one members make up the inaugural cohort of the Queens Teens Institute for Art & Social Justice, a Queens Museum leadership program shortened to QTI. 

At art-making workshops, field trips, listening sessions, and service projects, the group of high school juniors and seniors are acquiring tools for lives of activism.

"Everybody brings their ideas to the table, and we put them all together into the blender and see what comes out," member Ava Lederman said.

Back at the Queens Museum, the group uses a range of mediums to tackle a variety of issues both global and personal.

"I play guitar, and I write," Danya Ramirez said.

"I'm an activist for low-income marginalized communities," Celina Johnson said.

"I don't like the fact that many people nowadays focus on the fact of your biological gender and not who you identify as a person," Alicia Reymus said.

"With this open call, we selected 21 dynamic young people from Queens, all different neighborhoods in Queens," Queens Museum Director of Education Kimaada Le Gendre said.

The nine-month program culminates in a year-end exhibition showcasing their work.

This diverse group has a lot in common. Where their age has sometimes hindered their efforts, it can now forge a bond.

"I've been struck down a lot when I try to talk about different social justice issues. Older people in my life tell me I don't know what I'm talking about," Ramirez said.

"Finally, I have people I can connect with who are my own age who listen. But no matter what age you are, activism is still achievable," Lederman said.

 Le Gendre aims to cultivate what she calls a "brave space" among the teens, where open discussion can have a ripple effect.

"They bring back a lot of this great and vital passion and research and resources back to their communities and their schools," she said. "They go on a journey for nine months, but it's the beginning of a journey."

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