Creative Art Works remains committed to providing Public Art Youth Employment programs even in the midst of the current crisis. We partnered with Catholic Charities Alianza to develop a remote graphic design apprenticeship for more than 40 of their Learning to Work Interns from Liberty High School Academy for Newcomers, a small learning community that serves students of diverse cultural and academic backgrounds as they make the transition to the American educational system. Youth Apprentices were given an opportunity to explore their feelings about the current crisis by creating digital posters that answer the question, "What do we want to hold on to from our lives before the pandemic?" The answer had to be in the form of a single word in both English and the native language of each designer. YA’s were tasked with taking a self-portrait and combining it with other images that expressed and amplified their chosen word, either literally or symbolically. The results express the full range of emotions all of us have experienced while living through the PAUSE, from longing and nostalgia to hope and inspiration.

Mamadou Thiobane Peace, 2020My word is peace. This word means a lot to me, because I feel like the world needs more of it. I tried to express peace with the images and colors that I chose. The dove shows inspiration. The thing that made the poster so strong is the [peace sign] that the bird has in its talons — this symbol mean a lot of things to different people, but for me it means that peace is coming to stay forever. — **Mamadou Thiobane**
*Peace,* 2020
My word is **peace**. This word means a lot to me, because I feel like the world needs more of it. I tried to express peace with the images and colors that I chose. The dove shows inspiration. The thing that made the poster so strong is the [peace sign] that the bird has in its talons — this symbol mean a lot of things to different people, but for me it means that peace is coming to stay forever.

Alisson Soumahoro My greatest wish is Freedom, 2020For me, freedom means to be able to go to school, to walk outside, to go see my friend, and to do what I like without being worried about my safety and other people’s safety because of the Coronavirus. Freedom is what I miss the most during this quarantine. I worked hard on this poster and took great care when I was making it. I learned so many things while making this poster. I learned how to use tools to create a poster such as double exposure. I also learned to practice workplace readiness. — **Alisson Soumahoro**
*My greatest wish is Freedom*, 2020
For me, **freedom** means to be able to go to school, to walk outside, to go see my friend, and to do what I like without being worried about my safety and other people’s safety because of the Coronavirus. Freedom is what I miss the most during this quarantine. I worked hard on this poster and took great care when I was making it. I learned so many things while making this poster. I learned how to use tools to create a poster such as double exposure. I also learned to practice workplace readiness.

Moses Adewunmi Amazing Friends, 2020A friend is a person you can rely on, someone that makes you a better person, someone that you share moments with. I made the poster by merging two pictures with digital photo editing software. What makes my poster a strong piece is my choice of images and color. In this program, I learned how to make a poster. I also learned the benefits of having a job and opportunities that come with it. The purpose of the project is to inform people about what is happening in the world and to give them hope. — **Moses Adewunmi**
*Amazing Friends*, 2020
A **friend** is a person you can rely on, someone that makes you a better person, someone that you share moments with. I made the poster by merging two pictures with digital photo editing software. What makes my poster a strong piece is my choice of images and color. In this program, I learned how to make a poster. I also learned the benefits of having a job and opportunities that come with it. The purpose of the project is to inform people about what is happening in the world and to give them hope.

Franna Franco Familia, 2020.To me, family means strength. I chose this word because to me my family is the most important thing in my life. They are my strength and support, especially during tough times like our current situation. Everything that is going on right now has changed our lives and many people have lost loved ones, so we should cherish and hold onto our family. Something I personally like about my poster is the image with the hands making a heart. My poster is a strong piece because it talks about something that almost everyone can relate to I learned things in this class that I did not know about photo editing. — **Franna Franco**
*Familia*, 2020.
To me, **family** means strength. I chose this word because to me my family is the most important thing in my life. They are my strength and support, especially during tough times like our current situation. Everything that is going on right now has changed our lives and many people have lost loved ones, so we should cherish and hold onto our family. Something I personally like about my poster is the image with the hands making a heart. My poster is a strong piece because it talks about something that almost everyone can relate to I learned things in this class that I did not know about photo editing.

Salane Positive Thinking, 2020I choose the statement positive thinking, because I know people are being negative in their minds during this horrific moment. I have decided to make this statement in order to remind them to think positively so everything can turn out positive. In my poster, I use background color, shadows and outlines. While making this poster I learned how to fix the transparency and how to merge up and down two pictures. I believe the purpose of this project is to learn how to do visual arts for future purpose and to be creative. — **Salane**
*Positive Thinking,* 2020
I choose the statement **positive thinking**, because I know people are being negative in their minds during this horrific moment. I have decided to make this statement in order to remind them to think positively so everything can turn out positive. In my poster, I use background color, shadows and outlines. While making this poster I learned how to fix the transparency and how to merge up and down two pictures. I believe the purpose of this project is to learn how to do visual arts for future purpose and to be creative.

Mariana Mejia Embracing my Dahlias, 2020My culture represents who I am and where I come from, which has always been important for me to remember, because it serves as my motivation. I made my poster always thinking about my family When I think of this word, I also think about my family, my childhood and the values I grew up with. The Dahlia is the national flower of Mexico. While making this poster I learned that we can reach our goals as long as we put everything into them. When we started with this project, I had an idea of what I wanted my poster to look like, and I spent hours to adjust all details necessary for it to look how it looks now. — **Mariana Mejia**
*Embracing my Dahlias*, 2020
My **culture** represents who I am and where I come from, which has always been important for me to remember, because it serves as my motivation. I made my poster always thinking about my family When I think of this word, I also think about my family, my childhood and the values I grew up with. The Dahlia is the national flower of Mexico. While making this poster I learned that we can reach our goals as long as we put everything into them. When we started with this project, I had an idea of what I wanted my poster to look like, and I spent hours to adjust all details necessary for it to look how it looks now.

Lizbeth Perez Alba, 2020Alba means the first light before the sun rises. I choose this word because I think after what we are going through during Covid-19, we will have a new dawn without disease and people will live life as before. My poster is strong because I put the clouds to imply that there will be a better dawn, and the people who died from this disease are in heaven resting in peace. When I was making my poster, I learned how to edit photos and how to create double exposure effects. The purpose for this poster is to show people that there is still hope. — **Lizbeth Perez**
*Alba*, 2020
**Alba** means the first light before the sun rises. I choose this word because I think after what we are going through during Covid-19, we will have a new dawn without disease and people will live life as before. My poster is strong because I put the clouds to imply that there will be a better dawn, and the people who died from this disease are in heaven resting in peace. When I was making my poster, I learned how to edit photos and how to create double exposure effects. The purpose for this poster is to show people that there is still hope.

Adela Rivera Paz/Peace, 2020I chose word peace because I’m feeling overwhelmed with all the school assignments and working from home. and filling out all the documents I need for college. When the Coronavirus impact has passed and things will go back to normal, I want to hold on to my inner peace, feel relaxed, well, and safe. I learned a lot of things about digital art and I enjoyed doing this project a lot. The purpose of this project is to show the people the that little things have a great value! — **Adela Rivera**
*Paz/Peace,* 2020
I chose word **peace** because I’m feeling overwhelmed with all the school assignments and working from home. and filling out all the documents I need for college. When the Coronavirus impact has passed and things will go back to normal, I want to hold on to my inner peace, feel relaxed, well, and safe. I learned a lot of things about digital art and I enjoyed doing this project a lot. The purpose of this project is to show the people the that little things have a great value!

Serigne Amar To HoldMy word is happiness. I choose this word because happiness is a goal that so many of us aim for. Happiness is not necessarily a goal to aspire to, but a journey to embrace and enjoy. The purpose of this project is to hold on to something that is important to us. The poster project also serves as tool to focus on details and information for our message. I learned how to use digital editing tools to make my poster strong. I learned to use space, color schemes, and typography in the Zoom class. — **Serigne Amar**
*To Hold*
My word is **happiness**. I choose this word because happiness is a goal that so many of us aim for. Happiness is not necessarily a goal to aspire to, but a journey to embrace and enjoy. The purpose of this project is to hold on to something that is important to us. The poster project also serves as tool to focus on details and information for our message. I learned how to use digital editing tools to make my poster strong. I learned to use space, color schemes, and typography in the Zoom class.

Ivette Minier Libertad, 2020My word is freedom. This word is one of the most important things in my life, because without it I would be unable to do many things. Freedom is to pursue happiness without restrictions. The purpose of this project is to learn about ourselves, what we think, and what things mean to us. — **Ivette Minier**
*Libertad*, 2020
My word is **freedom**. This word is one of the most important things in my life, because without it I would be unable to do many things. Freedom is to pursue happiness without restrictions. The purpose of this project is to learn about ourselves, what we think, and what things mean to us.

Eilyn Zuniga Amiship, 2020.Having someone to share your good times with is wonderful, but having someone to share your sad moments with is crucial to keep yourself going in life. Inside my chest, there are two people sitting next to each other which represents a true friendship because knowing that you have somebody by your side makes the journey called life easier. Realizing that a piece of art is capable of moving a lot of people is my main take-away from this project. — **Eilyn Zuniga**
*Amiship*, 2020.
Having someone to share your good times with is wonderful, but having someone to share your sad moments with is crucial to keep yourself going in life. Inside my chest, there are two people sitting next to each other which represents a true **friendship** because knowing that you have somebody by your side makes the journey called life easier. Realizing that a piece of art is capable of moving a lot of people is my main take-away from this project.

Atika alam Freedom for Life, 2020Freedom means having the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Freedom gives people the opportunity to speak, act and pursue happiness without unnecessary restrictions. It leads to expressions of creativity, original thought, and increased productivity. While making this poster, I learned how to use different digital photo editing tools to give my poster meaning with color. — **Atika alam**
*Freedom for Life*, 2020
**Freedom** means having the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Freedom gives people the opportunity to speak, act and pursue happiness without unnecessary restrictions. It leads to expressions of creativity, original thought, and increased productivity. While making this poster, I learned how to use different digital photo editing tools to give my poster meaning with color.

Kimberly Jn Pierre Determination is Key, 2020Determination is my word, and it stands for being very focused in achieving anything. I chose this word since I’m a student and I want to reach higher levels of education. The blend of my picture and the layer makes my poster appealing. I would say the bird in my poster makes it a strong piece. I learned that creating symbols makes us more engaged. The purpose of this project is stay positive in the midst of the crisis we are all facing. — **Kimberly Jn Pierre**
*Determination is Key*, 2020
**Determination** is my word, and it stands for being very focused in achieving anything. I chose this word since I’m a student and I want to reach higher levels of education. The blend of my picture and the layer makes my poster appealing. I would say the bird in my poster makes it a strong piece. I learned that creating symbols makes us more engaged. The purpose of this project is stay positive in the midst of the crisis we are all facing.

Abdourahaman Balde Kind/Gentil, 2020Kind is a word that came from my heart. As human beings, we must always be kind to one another and help people who need help, like the poor. I really like the pictures I have chosen. I like the colors, the writing, the frame and the filter I made. I learned a lot of things in this project that I didn't know before, like how to combine two pictures to become one and how to use a filter on a picture. — **Abdourahaman Balde**
*Kind/Gentil*, 2020
**Kind** is a word that came from my heart. As human beings, we must always be kind to one another and help people who need help, like the poor. I really like the pictures I have chosen. I like the colors, the writing, the frame and the filter I made. I learned a lot of things in this project that I didn't know before, like how to combine two pictures to become one and how to use a filter on a picture.

Glenn Ortiz Values, 2020The purpose of this project is to send a message to our community about something that we should hold on to before and after quarantine. I chose the word Values, because I think that we need to appreciate every gift we are given.I define my poster as a piece that could be used to make people realize how important things are around us. While doing my poster, I learned how to use digital tools and improve my editing skills. — **Glenn Ortiz**
*Values*, 2020
The purpose of this project is to send a message to our community about something that we should hold on to before and after quarantine. I chose the word **Values,** because I think that we need to appreciate every gift we are given.I define my poster as a piece that could be used to make people realize how important things are around us. While doing my poster, I learned how to use digital tools and improve my editing skills.

Baye Fall Dignity/Dignité, 2020I like to used the word dignity because a person without dignity is not respected among their own people. Therefore, by having dignity people will admire you and respect you. — **Baye Fall**
*Dignity/Dignité*, 2020
I like to used the word **dignity** because a person without dignity is not respected among their own people. Therefore, by having dignity people will admire you and respect you.

Rahatun Alam Peace, 2020The word peace means to live life without stress and anxiety, to live life however we want without worry. If there is lack of peace in our life, then we won't be able to enjoy anything. We should do all of our work without stress and anxiety, because it will help us to love the work we are doing. It will also help us to love our life. Nowadays, everyone is worried about this pandemic. If we choose to not panic and bring peace into our environment it will help us fight this virus. While making this poster I learned that unity is strength even though we are far from each other. — Rahatun Alam
Peace, 2020
The word **peace** means to live life without stress and anxiety, to live life however we want without worry. If there is lack of peace in our life, then we won't be able to enjoy anything. We should do all of our work without stress and anxiety, because it will help us to love the work we are doing. It will also help us to love our life. Nowadays, everyone is worried about this pandemic. If we choose to not panic and bring peace into our environment it will help us fight this virus. While making this poster I learned that unity is strength even though we are far from each other.

Aida Diouf Don’t Just Exist — Live!, 2020I chose the word happy, because everyone wants and needs to be happy to have a nice life. I made this poster by choosing pictures and adding text and colors to it. I learned how to edit a picture, make colors with layers, writing and formatting my favorite words. I enjoyed doing the project. The purpose of this project is to share our words associated with this time and focusing on that positivity. — **Aida Diouf**
*Don’t Just Exist — Live!*, 2020
I chose the word **happy**, because everyone wants and needs to be happy to have a nice life. I made this poster by choosing pictures and adding text and colors to it. I learned how to edit a picture, make colors with layers, writing and formatting my favorite words. I enjoyed doing the project. The purpose of this project is to share our words associated with this time and focusing on that positivity.

Fatou Kane Life, 2020My word is freedom, which is liberté in my native language. I chose this word because it means a lot to me and it means to feel free in everything you do. When you look at my poster, you can see the children, and how they are free and happy. Thanks to this project now I learned how to add layers to my poster. I really appreciate this project because it helped to increase my knowledge. — **Fatou Kane**
*Life*, 2020
My word is **freedom**, which is liberté in my native language. I chose this word because it means a lot to me and it means to feel free in everything you do. When you look at my poster, you can see the children, and how they are free and happy. Thanks to this project now I learned how to add layers to my poster. I really appreciate this project because it helped to increase my knowledge.

Khadim Aw Paix/Peace, 2020Paix, which means peace in English is a state of mind and calmness. I choose this word because it reflects my situation in the picture. I made my poster because I wanted to show my creativity. As the purpose of this project is to make us more prepared for a job, I can say that I learned many things [from this internship]. For example, I learned how to cut out my image, how to use a stock image, who how to use the filters, and many other things about who how to make the poster more creative. — **Khadim Aw**
*Paix/Peace*, 2020
**Paix**, which means **peace** in English is a state of mind and calmness. I choose this word because it reflects my situation in the picture. I made my poster because I wanted to show my creativity. As the purpose of this project is to make us more prepared for a job, I can say that I learned many things [from this internship]. For example, I learned how to cut out my image, how to use a stock image, who how to use the filters, and many other things about who how to make the poster more creative.

Mouhamed Konteye Dreams Came True, 2020The word that I choose is dream. Dreams have helped me to pass a lot of obstacles in my life. Every time I go to bed, I have dreams that help me organize my future and know what to do with my life. I always want to discover new things, so when I came here my dreams came true. During this internship I learned how to work together to make beautiful art. — **Mouhamed Konteye**
*Dreams Came True*, 2020
The word that I choose is **dream**. Dreams have helped me to pass a lot of obstacles in my life. Every time I go to bed, I have dreams that help me organize my future and know what to do with my life. I always want to discover new things, so when I came here my dreams came true. During this internship I learned how to work together to make beautiful art.

Rosalia MayancelaThe Power of the Union, 2020My word is united which is another word for power: The union of family, friends, and loved ones; the teamwork of doctors; and the diversity of people; all represent strength in difficult times like this. I think unity encapsulates customs and values like sharing, teamwork, support, community, and building memories together. This can be transmitted in-person or by virtual means. If you are united, problems becomes lighter and, so, possible to overcome. In my poster, I tried to show this by using contrasting colors. One side of the poster is dark, representing the storm, while the other is light, representing the solution. The center of my chest is even lighter. — **Rosalia Mayancela**
*The Power of the Union*, 2020
My word is **united** which is another word for power: The union of family, friends, and loved ones; the teamwork of doctors; and the diversity of people; all represent strength in difficult times like this. I think unity encapsulates customs and values like sharing, teamwork, support, community, and building memories together. This can be transmitted in-person or by virtual means. If you are united, problems becomes lighter and, so, possible to overcome. In my poster, I tried to show this by using contrasting colors. One side of the poster is dark, representing the storm, while the other is light, representing the solution. The center of my chest is even lighter.

David Pinos Our Connections, 2020I chose connection, because for me it is so important and fundamental to connect ourselves with our loved ones. The leaf is a representation of all of us connected from many branches to make us who we are today. The chains represent how strong those connections are with our loved ones. I learned how to make a poster in a professional way. I tried to use all the digital editing tools that we learned in class, and tried to learn on my own to use tools like the magic cut, contrast colors, changing the resolution, etc. — **David Pinos**
*Our Connections*, 2020
I chose **connection,** because for me it is so important and fundamental to connect ourselves with our loved ones. The leaf is a representation of all of us connected from many branches to make us who we are today. The chains represent how strong those connections are with our loved ones. I learned how to make a poster in a professional way. I tried to use all the digital editing tools that we learned in class, and tried to learn on my own to use tools like the magic cut, contrast colors, changing the resolution, etc.

Oluwasogo Awofeso Do Not Let your Curiosity Die, 2020Libraries symbolizes a source of knowledge, because they are a quiet place where I can relax and be alone, learn new things, and sometimes have fun by reading comics. I tried to make my poster look as if I was wearing a garment entirely made out of books. While making my poster, I learned that we shouldn’t use digital software to impulsively throw on colors or effects; colors, effects, and other settings should be used correctly to avoid sending the wrong message, so making the right choices about those settings is a substantial question. — ***Oluwasogo Awofeso***
*Do Not Let your Curiosity Die,* 2020
**Libraries** symbolizes a source of knowledge, because they are a quiet place where I can relax and be alone, learn new things, and sometimes have fun by reading comics. I tried to make my poster look as if I was wearing a garment entirely made out of books. While making my poster, I learned that we shouldn’t use digital software to impulsively throw on colors or effects; colors, effects, and other settings should be used correctly to avoid sending the wrong message, so making the right choices about those settings is a substantial question.

Madou Doumbia Health, 2020My word is health/santé and it means to be yourself, be self-sufficient and be physically, mentally and socially healthy. I choose this word because I don’t want to be dependent on others and unhealthy. I want to be healthy during and after the pandemic just like I was. I made this poster with the help of others and also trying and thinking that everything is possible and I can do it. This motivated me to do my poster. My poster is unique because it is impressive and be memorable. While making this poster, I put my ideas together and learned how to use pixlr to edit pictures with stock images and other tools. The purpose of this poster is to keep us connected with each other and be able to do art work. — **Madou Doumbia**
*Health*, 2020
My word is health/santé and it means to be yourself, be self-sufficient and be physically, mentally and socially healthy. I choose this word because I don’t want to be dependent on others and unhealthy. I want to be healthy during and after the pandemic just like I was. I made this poster with the help of others and also trying and thinking that everything is possible and I can do it. This motivated me to do my poster. My poster is unique because it is impressive and be memorable. While making this poster, I put my ideas together and learned how to use pixlr to edit pictures with stock images and other tools. The purpose of this poster is to keep us connected with each other and be able to do art work.

Ana Beltran My Essence/Me esencia, 2020I want to convey with this image that it is important to keep your essence, because it makes you grow as a person and mark gratifying experiences in your life. — **Ana Beltran**
*My Essence/Me esencia*, 2020
I want to convey with this image that it is important to keep your **essence**, because it makes you grow as a person and mark gratifying experiences in your life.

AMY AW Celebration/Fête, 2020My word is celebration which is fête in my language. It is a very important word because people need to have fun and it also reflects the overall attitude of gratitude and enjoying what we have instead of focusing on what we don't have or only what we want in the future. — **AMY AW**
*Celebration/Fête*, 2020
My word is **celebration** which is **fête** in my language. It is a very important word because people need to have fun and it also reflects the overall attitude of gratitude and enjoying what we have instead of focusing on what we don't have or only what we want in the future.

Kofi Owusu Power of Resilience, 2020.My word is resilience, and it simply means I will come up strong and withstand the crisis we are facing. I chose resilience because I don’t want to give up on any important activity I am doing, an example being my school assignments. I used a storm as my layer on my picture to portray strength. I learned about people’s ideas that help them keep going. The purpose of this project is to hold on to our strong mindset we all brought as words. — **Kofi Owusu**
*Power of Resilience*, 2020.
My word is **resilience,** and it simply means I will come up strong and withstand the crisis we are facing. I chose resilience because I don’t want to give up on any important activity I am doing, an example being my school assignments. I used a storm as my layer on my picture to portray strength. I learned about people’s ideas that help them keep going. The purpose of this project is to hold on to our strong mindset we all brought as words.

Ismaila Bah Freedom, 2020Freedom in my language is “djamm.” Freedom is important to everyone. No one wants to be controlled or told what they have to do. People want to be free and have a better life. While making this poster, I learned to use different digital editing tools such as transparency, blend mode, stock images, and how to cut out the image. This made my poster look awesome. The purpose of this piece is to expose my picture on social media, and share my work with the people who might appreciate my work. — **Ismaila Bah**
*Freedom*, 2020
**Freedom** in my language is “djamm.” Freedom is important to everyone. No one wants to be controlled or told what they have to do. People want to be free and have a better life. While making this poster, I learned to use different digital editing tools such as transparency, blend mode, stock images, and how to cut out the image. This made my poster look awesome. The purpose of this piece is to expose my picture on social media, and share my work with the people who might appreciate my work.

Mor Ndiaye Heat Spread, 2020The purpose of this project was to create a strong poster of ourselves and connect it to one word. I choose Heat for my word, because something you need to make flames. I learned many things when making my poster, like how to use the cutout tools, the arrange tools, or the drawing tools. Hard work made my poster a strong piece. — **Mor Ndiaye**
*Heat Spread*, 2020
The purpose of this project was to create a strong poster of ourselves and connect it to one word. I choose **Heat** for my word, because something you need to make flames. I learned many things when making my poster, like how to use the cutout tools, the arrange tools, or the drawing tools. Hard work made my poster a strong piece.

"Hold On"

Read more about this program on the CAW blog.

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"Hold On"

Read more about this program on the CAW blog.

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