By Daria Velezquez
My artwork was one of five chosen to be a part of NYAM (National Youth Art Movement Against Gun Violence) this past summer. NYAM provides youth, who live in neighborhoods besieged by gun violence, an opportunity to use their city as a blank canvas to communicate beyond their communities the impact of gun violence on their lives.
I attended many workshops that exposed me to different art techniques and styles from many unique individuals, who all had a story to tell from their own experiences with gun violence in Chicago.
Junior Millie Martinez (third from left) and senior Daria Velezquez (fifth from left) pose with other NYAM artists in Minneapolis. Millie said that Assistant Principal Cheryl Williams originally alerted art teacher Roseann Mark to the NYAM contest last year. Both students said they were grateful for the experience.
These moments made our purpose much stronger. We were able to transfer the strong messages to our art pieces, which were displayed on billboards on the westside and south side of Chicago from Aug. 28 through Oct. 1.
This led to us being invited to attend the Nobel Peace Prize Forum in Minneapolis, Sept. 14-17. Millie and I were flown to Minneapolis and given accomodations in a hotel.
The forum was the most eye-opening experience I’ve ever had; even making me realize the potential I had all along.
My art piece, which started out as a classroom assignment, was now being displayed in another state and in an event which consisted around 500 people, not including college students who were passing through to get to their classes.
During this experience, the most memorable was being able to meet U.S. Senator from Arizona, Gabrielle Giffords, who in person is such an inspiring individual. Her story of surviving an assassination attempt that left her with a severe brain injury echoed through the auditorium and even brought tears to people’s eyes.
She was full of spirit even after the tragic incident she went through. Giffords took that negativity and turned it into positivity. In her work against gun violence she inspired me to work on myself and to do the same.
I never thought that at 17 years old and being a senior in high school, I’d ever get the chance to see my art go big and end up at an event where I was one of the youngest to attend.
When exposed to all the older artists and peacemakers who have dedicated their whole lives to creating art for social justice, I realized my personal growth.
I am thankful for being given this life-changing experience. I want to thank NYAM, my teachers, family, and friends for supporting me and sticking with me along the way.
The National Youth Art Movement Against Gun Violence seems like a great experience, and a great way to spread awareness.
I have lived in Chicago for 9 years. I’ve never experienced losing a family or close friend from gun violence, but in middle school one of my close friend’s brother was killed by a drive by. Up to this day, my friend still feels that if he stopped his brother from leaving the house it would have never happened. I could see how it affected him, and now he lives to make his brother proud.
The idea that this problem was shown to a different state, it spreads awareness. Also, it sends a message that even high schoolers in a typical Chicago school understand gun violence. I see that as a dramatic realization, that this should be a topic that everyone should think about, and act on to stop it. What the NYAM did for you personally is amazing. It seems like a once in a lifetime experience in my eyes. Both express a message that you work hard to represent, and let you learn about other artists and more about this topic.
Even though Ms. Gifford’s story was shortly summarized, I can see why people would find it so emotional I feel that her story should be shared worldwide since clearly she has a great voice.
I honestly love what these two young women have done. To be high school students and have their artwork displayed on billboards in Chicago and Minneapolis is amazing.
For my personal project, I’m doing drawings against racism. This article and their work inspires me. This shows me that if you try hard enough, even as a high school student, you can get far. This is not only in art. The girls had to go through a lot of drafts and do them over and over again. They probably had the choice to give up, but they didn’t. That’s how I want to be. I want to believe in myself, that I can do anything I set my mind to. Maybe with my racism drawings I can make it far, as well.
To see these girls so proud of themselves with the biggest smile on their faces is so heartwarming. I don’t know these girls, but despite that, I’m very proud of them.
Congratulations!
I really appreciate Millie Martinez and Daria Velazquez’s artwork. I am happy that they were guests at the Nobel Peace Prize in Minnesota. They should feel proud of themselves. I think that their artwork is important because their art brings an idea of what this world is about, how the world is suffering.
I feel that art in general is important for everyone and everything. I feel like the more artwork like this, the more people would stop just to acknowledge it and its power. I feel that having an organization that helps bring awareness of gun violence in Chicago for people who are young is important for them, and for the people they will become.