Pop Up Parasols Featured at Arts Fest Beverly

Parasol Exhibit at Endicott College
Parasol Exhibit at Endicott College

A large sculptural installation of Express Yourself’s painted parasols is currently on display at the Grillo Gallery at Endicott College as part of Arts Fest 2016: Community Art Exhibition. For the past two years, Express Yourself youth artwork has been featured prominently in this juried exhibition, displayed alongside artwork of professionals and students who live and work in Beverly. This exhibition coincides yearly with Arts Fest Beverly, a festival that celebrates the vibrant arts community of the city.

Express Yourself youth, staff, mentors, and advisory committee painted vibrant parasols as part of a long-term project led by an Express Yourself youth mentor and funded by Amplify Youth Voices, an initiative of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The parasols were presented initially as an outdoor art exhibition at the Cummings Center to spotlight the voices and artistic contributions of Express Yourself youth in the local community. The Pop Up Parasol exhibition was translated into a parasol tree set piece designed for Express Yourself’s annual performance, “Illuminate,” at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theater. These parasol trees will be on display at the Grillo Gallery through August 19, 2016.