"Young Artists Showcase" Friday March 30th at 6:00 p.m at the Miners Foundry

 ASH Blossoms as Youth Organization

By Brett Bentley

            It began as open mic pizza parties for youth with an interest in arts.  Then the grassroots youth empowerment project blossomed into the Alliance for Social Health (ASH).

            The year-old program promotes arts advocacy for mental well-being of youth. Under the umbrella of the Alliance for Wellbeing, Inc., a non-profit whose mission is to promote individual and community wellness through advocacy, education and mentoring, ASH has created workshops and showcases focused on getting teens and 20-somethings involved in the arts. "(ASH) is giving youth positive things to do," said Tom Durkin, a board member with the Alliance for Wellbeing.

            ASH will host its second youth arts showcase Friday at the Miners Foundry Cultural Center, featuring about 15 acts and six visual artists for youth ages 13 to 29. The events are designed to give musicians, visual artists and performers the professional experience necessary to advance. There is a gap in art programming between the grade school years and established professional bands and artists with gallery shows, said Rahlene Weeden, ASH Co-Director. "We're just trying to create space for that middle ground to give them that experience they need to move on to the next level," Weeden added.

            That includes the production skills necessary to set up lighting, sound and set design of concerts and performances. Or to lay out and hang art work in a gallery.

            Friday's showcase not only provides a venue for the young artists, it raises money to support ASH's mission throughout the year. That includes workshops on concerts, various styles of dance and more. Funds are critical to help the organization meet its mission of making arts accessible for youth.

            "We really want to offer at least a sliding scale, if not free workshops," Weeden said.

            In addition to expanding its workshops, ASH is developing a scholarship program and wants to establish a free instrument closet, said Director, Chad Connor Crow.

            ASH is also looking for professional artists and production people who are willing to volunteer their time and talent as mentors or educational resources for youth. To contact ASH, email allianceforsocailhealth@gmail.com

 Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Student Price (With ID)

$5.00 Advance / $7.00 Door

General Admission

$7.00 Advance / $ 10.00 Door