ArtWorks Fall 2025 Showcase Celebrates Teen Creativity and Growth
- Arts for Learning
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
ArtWorks is an incredible program that gives young artists the opportunity to develop their artistic skills and explore their passions through a 12-week paid apprenticeship.
This Fall, ArtWorks welcomed 36 talented teen apprentices, each of whom spent their semester working closely with professional Teaching Artists to create original artwork, develop career and life skills, and build meaningful connections with their peers and community.
Teaching Artists Laura Chenault guided 14 students through photography, book arts, and mixed media projects, while Kristin Brandt worked with 18 students exploring sculpture. Each cohort spent 12-13 weeks crafting high-quality artwork while engaging in meaningful skill-building exercises.
We invite you to join us for the Fall 2025 ArtWorks Showcase!
Date: December 17, 2025
Time: 5:30 - 7:30pm
Location: The Buffalo History Museum | 1 Museum Ct, Buffalo, NY 14216
The ArtWorks Showcase offers the public a chance to experience these young artists’ accomplishments firsthand.
Vynce's Transformative Journey
with ArtWorks
Vynce C., one of our apprentices, discussed their artistic journey and the significant influence ArtWorks has had on their creative and personal development:
"My name is Vynce, and I am a seventeen-year-old artist. I have been drawing my whole life and take commissions in my free time. Ever since I was little, I would look at children’s books and cartoons and marvel at the beauty and craftsmanship of the images. When my school asked what we wanted to do when we grew up and listed children’s illustrators as an option, it opened my mind of what I could be. Of course, my choice of artist profession has now changed. I now hope to be in animation, but my love for art has only grown as the years go by."
Vynce continues:
"Through the ArtWorks program I have been given the privilege to work alongside like minded artists. It comforted me, knowing that there are opportunities for artists everywhere and that there were communities that brought artists together. Everyone is so nice and welcoming and they all have their own skills that I can learn from. Going into the program I didn't know what to expect when I was told that they teach college readiness skills, but now that I have experienced it, I can firmly say that it is much more than that. Many speakers have come here to spread their knowledge and I've learned many life and college skills; such as how to manage credit, setting up your financial aid, and public speaking. This has exceeded my expectations for the college readiness portion of this apprenticeship and I will be taking many of these lessons into my adult years."
Art as a Bridge: Vynce's Vision for Connection and Understanding
"I want to help others find community and comfort through the characters and worlds I create. I hope that others can see themselves in my characters and learn from their internal and external struggles, to better help themselves and the world around them. I plan to study animation after high school and pursue a career as a character designer or storyboard artist. would love to start or be hired at an animation studio that publicizes my stories and become an inspiration to other beginner artists and queer youth. My art journey has brought so much joy and accomplishment into my life that it has infused itself into my being and soul. Many say that I was born with this skill, this innate ability to draw. But I was born with the passion to create."
Vynce’s journey reflects the core mission of ArtWorks: fostering artistic growth while equipping students with the confidence and skills to thrive both personally and professionally. Through the program, apprentices refine their craft, build community, and develop workforce readiness skills, all while exploring their own creative voices.
See more of our apprentices’ work here and explore the unique perspectives, talents, and stories that make ArtWorks such a transformative program. Each piece represents not just artistic skill, but a journey of growth, connection, and the joy of creation.
We would like to thank all the funders, partners, presenters, and Teaching Artists who helped make this program possible and supported our students every step of the way this semester.