In 2000, artists Marcia Perry and Meg Biddle established the Youth Arts Collective (YAC) in downtown Monterey, a community hub where teenagers often loiter with little to do. They felt that these kids needed more purpose, respect, and a higher sense of self. YAC provides a safe and creative space for over 1,000 young artists of all backgrounds and visions, providing them with the tools they need to pursue art professionally or in college.
The organization continues to thrive under the hands of artist and former YACster Jesse Juarez, who serves as executive director, and Program Director Marissa Serna, who served on the board of directors for five years before coming on staff. The art community will rally around YAC once again, as Carmel’s Winfield Gallery hosts “A Collector’s Dream Come True: Legacy Artists Supporting Emerging Artists,” featuring over 25 local artists donating a piece of fine art.
Chris Winfield, the executive director of YAC, believes that the most important concept taught by his father, Rodney Winfield, is creative problem-solving. Some students may learn the artmaking skills they need to become professional artists, while others can use their creative problem-solving skills in whatever profession they choose.
Recipient painter Pamela Carroll, a true “legacy artist,” collaborated with Chris Winfield to create the art exhibit and fundraiser. She said that YAC is a safe place and a creative environment for kids, nurturing them with love and teaching them to be respectful, kind to others, and accepting.
Pamela Carroll suggested hosting a fine art sale on behalf of the Youth Arts Collective and had been thinking of creating a fundraiser for the organization.
The Young Artists Coalition (YAC) has launched a weeklong art sale in its gallery, hosted by Chris Winfield. The event, which has been a success, has attracted over 25 legacy artists, including David Ligare, Jeffrey Becom, Elizabeth Barlow, Cornelia Emery, Andrea Johnson, Chris Sawyer, Susan Manchester, Will Bullas, Richard Tette, Jennifer Anderson, Christine Crozier, Sarah Healey, Gerard Martin, Susan Giacometti, Dennis Stanford, Pamela Carroll, Bernard Trainor, Robin Sawyer, Barbara Johnson, Mark Farina, Peggy Jelmini, Lucas Blok, Jan Wagstaff, Cindy Wilbur, and Sibyl Johnson. The event has been conceived by artists, contributed to by artists, and presented in support of the young artist members of the organization.
The event has been met with great enthusiasm from local artists, who have donated excellent work at a discount. Executive director, Juarez, has been instrumental in promoting the organization’s work and has become part of the advocacy for the wider art community. The prestige of Winfield Gallery and the wide-reaching recognition of the artwork will be a testament to the support and recognition of the YAC.
Both Biddle and Perry are donating artwork to the event, which was conceived by artists, contributed to by artists, and presented in support of the young artist members of the organization. The event is a testament to the power of the arts community and the importance of doing art.
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