Students from JCCS to Display Artwork at Front Arte Cultura Gallery June 2-4

Students from the San Diego County Office of Education’s Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS) will share drawings, photographs, and prints they made as part of a year-long program called the ArtWorks Fellowship. Work from 18 students from Lindsay Community School, Global Academy of California, and Victoria Community School will be on view at The Front Arte Cultura gallery, 147 West San Ysidro Blvd., San Ysidro, CA from June 2 to 4. An exhibition reception will take place on June 2 from 3 to 5 p.m.  

“We are always looking for ways to engage our JCCS students with courses that meet their interests and provide strong career path opportunities, and the ArtWorks Fellowship partnership does just that,” said Amanda Wallace, visual and performing arts technician for JCCS. “We are grateful for Arts Education Connection San Diego and their teachers, who have provided two years of great education and mentorship for our students, and we look forward to another cohort of students having the opportunity next year.” 

In its second year, The ArtWorks Fellowship program provides a pathway to an arts-focused education and career. fellows enrolled in this program learn art-making skills, meet professional artists, and are mentored by teaching and practicing artists Diana Cervera and Lorain Khalil Rihan. Throughout the school year, students develop a capstone project that includes a portfolio of artwork, an exhibition, artist statements, a resume, and a public speaking presentation. Students chose to participate in the career pathways course. Those who complete the ArtWorks Fellowship Program earn five high school credits and a $200 stipend.

The ArtWorks fellowship program, created in partnership with Arts Education Connection, has allowed JCCS students to see themselves as professionals in the arts fields. Working with strong mentors within the arts community has not only created opportunities to earn course credit, create a professional portfolio, and earn a stipend; these young people are creating relationships that ensure their social and emotional needs are being met as well. The students refer to themselves as fellows, and the confidence gained in this program has had a positive effect overall on their school engagement. 

In addition to being a valued partner within the classroom, Arts Education Connection has created paid internships for JCCS graduates. In fact, a woman who graduated from JCCS and ArtWorks is now working as a teaching artist and mentor. The program is supported by the Ruth & Joseph C. Reed Foundation for the Arts and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Community Grant.