August 5, 2010

World renowned artist Arvie Smith works to teach students alternatives ways of sharing feelings, ideas.

Multnomah County’s Department of Community Justice Juvenile Detention Center in partnership with the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) is working to help youth experience the arts by commissioning a noted teacher and artist to work with Measure 11 youth to complete five 16 ft. X 8 ft. paintings that will be permanently on display in the detention area hallway.

RACC has been working with Community Justice for nearly 15 years, matching qualified artists with youth served by Community Justice programs to create performances, films, and visual art. An opening of the work will be scheduled for later this summer and the work will be exhibited in public facilities prior to the final installation in the detention facility some time this fall.

To read Arvie's bio and view some of his art pieces, visit: Arvie Smith. For more information about Arts and Corrections, visit: Community Arts Network. To learn more about future art projects planned for the Multnomah County Juvenile Service Division, contact Kim Bernard, Department of Community Justice Public Information Officer at 503-988-4376.