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Free Creative Workshops • Annual Teen Art Show

Are you a teacher or youth program supervisor? We’d love to invite your teens to participate!

Are you a parent, guardian, or caretaker of teens? We have a parenting support program, and our youth advocates are also available to support you as well as supporting teens.

Our youth advocates can be reached through the main office at (831) 426-3062, M-F, 9am-5pm. Learn more about our free youth services here!

Teen Art Show

When COVID began limiting everyone’s ability to gather in person, Walnut Avenue’s youth advocates reached out to local Santa Cruz classroom teachers about online learning with workshops about teen dating violence, consent, safer social media use, personal development, and other subjects related to healthy relationship skills. Many teachers welcomed us into their virtual classrooms!

Students are invited to create art, using whatever materials they like, expressing something related to teen dating violence: a new tidbit of understanding, something that brought out strong emotion for them, a message for other teens and survivors out there.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM)

Love Like That: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month Art Show

Friday, February 2nd, 2024 - Free Admission

12-9 pm The MAH , 705 Front St , Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Every year, Walnut Avenue honors February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). For February’s First Friday, the MAH welcomes the Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center and The Diversity Center as we host Love Like That: TDVAM Art Show. 

 The art show will feature art from Santa Cruz County middle and high school students, LGBTQ+ youth and allies. The goal is to raise awareness about teen dating violence and amplify the voices of those most impacted by it: teenagers. Young artists will have an opportunity to receive training on identifying and responding to teen dating violence and then process the information by creating art in response to it.

*The deadline submission for art is January 25, 2024, please find more info here.

Additional Events 

    • TDVAM First Friday Opening Reception at the Santa Cruz MAH, February 2nd at 5 pm 

    • Upbeat Pages: Positive Affirmation Zine Workshop Saturday 2/3 1:00/2:30 at the Santa Cruz MAH hosted Meggie Pina from the Diversity Center! In this guided workshop, participants will embark on a colorful exploration of self-love and empowerment through the art of zine-making. Meggie will help participants create their own mini-zine filled with positive affirmations, inspiring quotes, and personal reflections. Zine making supplies will be available for all participants. This workshop provides a safe and inclusive space where creativity meets self-expression, fostering a sense of community and connection for LGBTQ+ youth and allies on Saturday 2/3 from 1:00 pm-2:30 pm at the MAH in the patio area near the entrance! 

Questions? Contact Meggie Pina, Manager of Programs and Impact 

email: meggie.pina@diversitycenter.org 

 Genderventures: Queer Quests Saturday 2/3 from 2:30-4:30 at the Santa Cruz MAH hosted by Zak from The Diversity Center. Genderventures Queer Quests is an event tailored for trans and nonbinary youth at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH). Participants will engage in a scavenger hunt through the  Queer Santa Cruz Exhibit, offering a direct and informative exploration of LGBTQ+ experiences. The event aims to create a supportive environment for youth to learn about the historical context of the queer community, fostering a sense of identity and connection. It's an opportunity for participants to navigate the museum's exhibits together, gaining insights into the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the LGBTQ+ community's history. We will have exciting prizes and meaningful discussions to wrap up our quest together! We will meet in the courtyard near the entrance of the MAH at 2:30 on February 3rd. Please fill out this form to RSVP for Genderventures!

 

Every year, Walnut Avenue honors February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), represented by an orange ribbon. For more information on TDVAM and ideas for getting involved, please visit our Awareness Month page.

The Ageism in Unheard Voices

Teens live in an in-between space of childhood and adulthood that’s confusing not only for them but also for the adults around them. Many of our teens have expressed how they feel unheard: they’re treated like children when it’s convenient but then scolded or shamed for not acting like adults. This inconsistency in how they’re treated, and the ways in which their personal lived experiences get dismissed, all contribute to alienation between generations within families and social groups:

  • “You’ll understand when you’re older.”

  • “It only feels like a big deal right now because you’re still young.”

  • “You think that’s hard? Wait until you’re an adult and have to worry about bills.”

With these kinds of messages being so common for teens to hear, and when adults rely on control and invasion of privacy rather than healthy communication and opportunities to demonstrate trust, many teens learn to expect these things from the adults around them and eventually stop reaching out for support.

Creative Workshop Series

Virtual Galleries

With the students’ consent, Walnut Avenue offers these virtual galleries for adults and teens alike to see how local youth express their thoughts and emotions regarding relationships.

These workshops are a series of meet-ups focused around a central theme or skillset. All are free to attend. These workshops are intended for teens aged 12-17.

Interested? Contact Ana (she/they) to let her know about your interest and to get more info at avelazquez@wafwc.org!

Art Fundamentals Series

Next round: TBA
Location: 303 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA (transportation assistance may be available)

Learning goal: to give teens an opportunity to practice fundamental technical skills that can be used in visual expression.

Teens are invited to join us to learn and practice some of the fundamental concepts of art:

  • Line and shape

  • Values and shading

  • Color

  • Composition

No prior experience necessary - all experience levels are welcome! Participants receive a sketchbook to keep and use however they like, both during the workshops and after, and will have an opportunity to experiment with different types of materials: pen and ink, pencil, watercolors, acrylics, and more. The emphasis is on two-dimensional studio art forms, but many concepts also apply to three-dimensional and digital art forms. This workshop series does not offer academic credit. Prior registration is required to ensure we have enough supplies and snacks.

Also, make sure to check out the annual Teen Art Show above!

Writer’s Workshop Series

Next round: TBA
Learning goal: to give teens an opportunity to practice some technical skills that can be used in written expression.

More info to come.

Philosophy & Critical Thinking Skills Series

Next round: TBA
Learning goal: to give teens an opportunity to practice skills that help with navigating disagreements, conflicts, and the ways in which emotional vulnerability can be exploited for unsafe purposes.

How do you construct and deconstruct an argument? How do people decide on their opinions and beliefs? What are cults and how do they manage to trap even the most well-informed people? How do you separate “fake news” from real news? In this series, teen discuss ways to develop their skills in parsing out helpful information from the harmful in a world that’s oversaturated with constantly breaking news, doomsday predictions, contradictory soundbites, and propaganda.

More info to come.