Speaker Series

Art is Power A Speaker Series for Youth, is hosted by the Solano County Office of Education Youth Development Services in partnership with Nature of Sound. The Speaker Series is a collection of workshops hosted by various local, state and national artists, each workshop will focus on a different form of art. Art forms include painting, hip hop and songwriting, photography, graphic design, and much more.

Workshops are designed to for middle and high school students of all artistic levels. Arts will talk about technique, process and about using art to further one's cause. Art can be a powerful tool and helps build resiliency, and resilient youth are less likely to partake in risky behaviors (such as using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs).

The first 20 students who register will be mailed a free gift to help support their artistic goals and passions.

Zach Young grew up in Fairfield, he attended Armijo High School and graduated from Buckingham Charter School before attending the Academy of Art in San Francisco. He loves making art and writing silly stories but his first love will always be helping others. He and his friend are currently working on the second issue of their comic book series "Deep Theory", an anthology of questions better left unanswered.

Jesse Hill currently works as a Player Coordinator for the Pokemon Company. Jesse travels all over the world overseeing the world championships and other gaming tournaments. His passion for gaming helped keep him from alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. This workshop is for any student who has a passion for video games.

Nadja Fitchhorn, graphic design & photography teacher at Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy in Vacaville, loves sharing her passion for all things art, design & photography with her students; and is just as passionate about inspiring young artists to not only discover their own artistic talents, but to also pursue their dreams. Teaching students to recognize and use visual arts as a form of creativity and communication, she helps students explore the application of materials, tools, techniques, technologies, and processes to share personal expression, opnion, and voice - a skillset especially valuable in this period of time.

Alphabet Rockers make music that makes change, creating brave spaces for children and families to stand up to hate and be theri courageous, beautiful selves. Led by Kaitlin McGaw (she/her) and Tommy Soulati Shepherd (he/him/they), Alphabet Rockers gets young people to talk about self-love and justice while living it. Their GRAMMY-nominated albums, multimedia, and curricula empower youth to embody change, advocate for others, and imagine a world they can both be seen in and thrive in. Alphabet Rockers are based in Oakland, CA, on the Unceded land of the Chochenyo Ohlone people.

Ms. Larsen is a local artist and high school teacher who has been working and volunteering in the community for over 30 years. She specializes in painting, photography, and graphic design.

This workshop will focus on do it yourself paint, ink, and tools. Students will get an introduction to making different types of water soluble paint and alternative paint brushes. The goal is to have fun getting your hands dirty.

Javier is recognized both nationally and internationally as a leader in developing effective strategies for youth and community mobilization. His experience and expertise come from more than 20 years of work with the Youth to Youth International Program. He believes that change for the better in our world, our, our country, our communities, and our schools isn't just happening to young people, it's happening through them. Javier specializes in helping teens and their adult allies develop strategies for relevant, effective, and sustainable community impact. His company, R.E.A.C.H. Communications, Inc. (Reaching Excellence in Attitude, Character, and Health) is a boutique marketing firm that uses the "by youth, for youth" approach to create cutting-edge health and wellness messages and communication strategies that effectively reach and engage our most disenfranchised communities and vulnerable populations.

Javier has written two books, a children's book for fathers and daughters entitled "Look in My Mirror" and a book designed to help students, artists, activists, and entrepreneurs add process to their passion entitled "From This Moment On." He also works behind the scenes as a technical consultant on film and TV projects. His love for stand-up comedy and spoken word poetry has given him the opportunity to preform all over the United States and around the world.

When he's not doing the work he loves, Javier is most likely at home playing board games with his family, reading a good book, or teaching himself how to play the piano. Javier received is BA in Behavioral Studies from Capital University.

A native of Oakland, CA ad a lifelong Bay Area resident. Tasha has been commanding audiences not only because of her six foot stature, but also because of her distinct and attention grabbing poetic delivery.

In the 5th grade, Tasha wrote a heartfelt poem chronicling the relationship between herself and her mother called "No to Tobacco." The poem was submitted to a local magazine, and was later published and for the first time, Tasha was compensated for her work as a poet. Tasha decided to use poetry as a way to share her story and spread awareness about the effects of smoking. She has been able to perform this poem around the Bay Area and on a national platform and has plans to continue to use her story to help others.

Johanna Nowak-Palmer
Program Manager
(707) 646-7608
jnowak@solanocoe.net

Rebecca Floyd
Project Coordinator
(707) 646-7602
rfloyd@solanocoe.net

April 20, 2021
5:00 - 6:30 PM

Comic Book Art with Zach Young

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April 29, 2021
5:00 - 6:00 PM

Photovoice (Photography) with Jasmine Coutee

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May 4, 2021
5:00 - 6:00 PM

Dance with Sarah Gounder

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May 13, 2021
5:00 - 6:00 PM

Spoken Word with Javier Sanchez

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