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Kids Without A Country

Presented by Art Access/VSA Arts of Utah at Art Access Gallery

April 18-May 9, 2008

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Kids Without a Country: What Now, Jose? explores the paths of four young Hispanic artists. It features David Olvera (painter), Victor Sida (songwriter,poet), Jose Hernandez Lopez (poet/filmmaker) and Jesus Silva (painter). The exhibit was coordinated by their mentor Walt Hunter. The exhibit took root in 2001, at a club for girls and boys in Midvale, Utah. Walt Hunter, the Gang Prevention Specialist for the club bought art supplies and hung paper on the game room walls to entice the kids to draw. According to Hunter, no one did anything. In frustration, he smashed pastels against the paper and yelled, 'Will someone make a mark? Come on, just hit the paper.' Jose Silva responded he got up, answered the challenge and made his mark. In that moment, 'Dueling Art' was created and, with that, an art class was born. The four artists have not lived entirely 'pretty' lives. Their lives have been turbulent and constantly changing. All have endured lives no kid should have to face. Each artist, however, has chosen to stay away from gangs. In the year since July of 2007, when they were awarded an exhibit by the panel at Art Access, each of the young artists, except for Jesus, has been incarcerated or deported. Their young lives have fallen apart because of their own foolish actions or the acts of others. Only Jesus Silva has managed to keep his life intact. According to Walt Hunter, he and Silva met in full panic mode, to consider how they could mount the Kids Without a Country Exhibit without the direct participation of the other three artists. At this point, the words, 'What Now, Jose?' were added to the title of the show. A powerful exhibit has been put together with the works that Hunter and Silva have managed to collect. The Artists' Reception: Friday, April 18 from 6:00pm-9:00pm during the monthly Salt Lake Gallery Stroll.