YEAH! (Youth Experiencing Artistic Hope), which originated out of the Mission-Vision Committee of the B.O.L.D. (Building Our Lives Drug-free) Coalition, received funding from the Donaldson Foundation and the Greater Fall River United Way to sponsor after-school art classes for students of the Resiliency Preparatory School. The Changing Lives through Art program pays local artists to work with students several hours a day to inspire and teach them a variety of artistic techniques. "We decided to give the students a chance to talk with the artists first" stated Darlene Pavao, the art teachers connected with the Fall River Art Association who oversees the project. "The event was a great success," she added. Three 13-week series of classes will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. twice a week at the school. Click here for a 90-second video of the event. Click here for photos and video of one of the art class. Click here for photos of a meeting with the artists and here for a reception for the funders. For further information, contact BOLD staff member contact Susan Wolfson at Stanley Street Treatment & Resources, 508-235-7032.

(Top row, left) Resiliency Prep teachers Mike McMahon and Matt Scott welcome the students. (Top row, center) Resiliency School art teacher and YEAH's administrator of the Visiting Artists' Program Darlene Pavao, left, talks next to curriculum coordinator Jen Carney and visiting artist Lynn McCarthy. (Top row, right) Math teacher Mary Jane Omar and engineering teacher Christie Converse look over the schedule of classes. (Row two, left and right) Student Reyanna Macedo talks with Ms. Pavao and then with students Brandon Razza, Tevon Harris and Davon Hudson. (Row two, center) Justin Amaral and Cory Mikolazyk engage in a lively discussion. (Row three, left) Shawn Oliver talks with dance instructor Junior (Carl Burnett). (Row three, right) Artist and mural painting teacher Zac Meunier talks about his work with recording artist and hip hop culture teacher Tem Blessed. (Bottom row, left) Student Ricky Carbonero and music teacher Peter Arteaga provide music for the gathering. (Bottom row, center) Tem Blessed Tarance Racine, Solmari Henriquez, and Rachel Stern listen as Darlene Pavao makes an announcement. (Bottom row, right) B.O.L.D. outreach coordinator and grant writer Susan Wolfson poses in front of a YEAH! poster.

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