The Sun Will Rise Again

Youth-Created Art Brings a Message of Hope to Kings County Family Court

*An open window represents opportunity and new beginnings for those who come to the court*

On the upper floors of Kings County Family Court, 29 Creative Art Works Youth Apprentices (YAs) are putting the finishing touches on a remarkable series of paintings which will soon enliven a public waiting area. Since 2011, CAW has offered dozens of employment projects in partnership with NYC Family Court, yielding over 30 individual works of art, but this is the first one in Brooklyn.

The YAs working on this project have a wide variety of interests and offer an eclectic set of skills. Some have strong art backgrounds while others gravitate more towards STEM. The team includes aspiring lawyers, nurses, social workers, and writers. All of them contribute meaningfully to the project through their ideas, opinions, passion, teamwork, and boundless energy.

For all of these young people, this project offered an opportunity to apply their unique skills and perspectives to a meaningful cause.

Creativity, Compassion, Community

Terry Banks, a rising junior at Edward R. Murrow High School, has been painting since she was young. For her, the paintings are about more than just aesthetics.

"I hope when people see these paintings, they feel a sense of serenity," she said. "It's also about the idea that everyone's goal is what's best for the child involved in Family Court cases." This deep empathy and focus on the well-being of others is a recurring theme among the apprentices.

Aiana Rahaman, who is the captain of her high school's robotics team, says she rediscovered her creative passion through the program.

"Engineering is a building process where we brainstorm to come up with ideas," she said. "The process of painting this art gave me inspiration for what I could do for college... After doing robotics in high school for so long, I felt like I had lost my sense of creativity. This program brought my creativity back." A New Beginning for the Community and the Artists

The collaborative nature of the project was a key element of its success. CAW Teaching Artist Assistant Cass Waters noted how the apprentices' ideas and energy came together to form a cohesive project.

“Everyone has a lot of energy, a lot of good ideas, and they’re all great at finding ways to connect with each other. It’s amazing to see so many different ideas come together in a single project.”

— CAW Teaching Artist Assistant Cass Waters

*Teaching Artist Assistant Cass Waters with YAs EmmaLina Eckstein, Fatou Diomande, and Terry Banks discuss a whether several lines need to be redrawn*

Hillary Lee, a recent graduate of Brooklyn Tech, will be studying law at CUNY Hunter in the fall. Calling her job making art for Family Court a “crazy crossover experience,” she spoke about how young people can find synergies and collaborate effectively across diverse backgrounds.

*Hillary Lee, center, with fellow CAW Youth Apprentices*

“You know that saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child?’ That’s what this program feels like, because everyone is working together on one big idea.”

— CAW YA Hillary Lee

The paintings themselves reflect the apprentices' shared desire to inspire hope. Seleka George, who plans to study nursing, was particularly proud of a specific part of the design.

"My favorite part of the paintings is the art with the hands opening the window," she said. The window, she explained, represents a new opportunity and a new beginning for those who come to the court.

Sam Valerio, who is studying sociology (“because people are amazing!”), echoed this sentiment, hoping the paintings will "bring cheer to the people in the waiting room." He emphasized that the paintings all feature or allude to the presence of the sun, a symbol of a new story and a new tomorrow.

While these young people have created a beautiful series of paintings for their community, they have also discovered new strengths within themselves. They have shown that their unique perspectives, collaborative spirit, and unwavering compassion are invaluable assets for any community.

*Sam Valerio touches up the art on the last day of painting*

The Finished Paintings

The Unveiling

“We know that art provokes thought, brings hope, is courageous, and tells stories. Art is powerful, and art is love. Art belongs everywhere, and it especially belongs in our Family Courts. I’m reserving my most heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our Youth Apprentices. I’m in awe of your talent, your heart, your vision. You are creating a bridge that we need between the courts and community in a really special way. ”

— Edwina G. Richardson, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives