The Let Freedom Ring project is an artistic collaboration between professional local artist Dia Bassett, and the community art studio Paintbox Studio. The multi-week collaboration coalesced into a final 10 ft. by 14 ft. art installation and presentation in the front window at the Mission Hills House, a local residence currently utilized as a vacation rental space which was constructed with a large, street-facing window to showcase local artists. Let Freedom Ring thematically reflects our values of freedom, play, togetherness, cooperation, and autonomy by encouraging the children to create art with open-ended possibilities employing these themes. I have found that teaching art in this way ignites essential critical thinking, problem-solving skills and confidence in students. This project spotlights the unique position of artists in the community-as catalyzers of collaboration, while bringing art to a more public space. In this case the collaboration with 71 children intersected with residents, students, educators, and business owners.
All of the materials used in this project were upcycled: donated vinyl, fabric from an estate sale, and worn clothing.
The installation was on view in August 2021.
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Financial support provided by Rising Arts Leaders Quick Grant
Paintbox Studio support given by Jamiee Brant, Amy Yates, and Laurie Nasica
Youth artist contributors are:
Abigail Jirsa
Addy Chavez
Alexa Chan
Alizsa Pascual
Allie Cogan
Autumn Hingle
Ava Dewhurst
Ayla Lozani
Brooklyn Valdez
Cora Smith
Caroline Paa
Catherine Hyslop
Chloe Schuh
Dalilah DiGiacinto
Delilah Stein
Dylan Medeiros
Eleanor Cheng
Elliot Broderick
Emerson Medeiros
Emilia Bicknell
Emily Cheng
Emma Hanson
Emma Johnson
Gabriella Desgranges
Gabriella Harris
Golda Wells
Hannah Malcolm
Hannah McKusick
Harper Dickinson
Harper Schick
Ira Shuchter
Jasmine Wolfe
Jude Indyk
Julian Ross
Kaden Gambhir
Kate Monson
Kyla Dickinson
Laney Steinhardt
Lara Vespa
Laura Lu
Lauren Leaphart
Lillian DeGiovine
Luca Wustman
Lucia Scull
Luscia Wroblewski
Mariet Tarantino
Miro Wustman
Naomi Ross
Natalie Brunette
Nora Stallone
Olivia Desgranges
Olivia Dumm
Owen Jirsa
Piper McGlenn
Penny Dumm
Quinn Mathys
Reese Murray
Reese Sullivan
Ruby Hingle
Sadie Bicknell
Scarlett Strocco
Serena Arons
Simone Mathys
Stella Horn
Stella Ngo
Talia Crandal
Tenley Stencil
Tessa Smith
Zakai Gambhir
Zara Jacob
Zoe DiNublia