Now in its 3rd year, the Here and Queer showcase features artwork and creative writing by young, queer artists throughout Marin County. Each piece offers a unique glimpse into the lived experiences and identities of students in the local queer community, providing a platform for young artists to share their voices and celebrate queer identity through creative expression. 

“The Here and Queer show is one of the most meaningful exhibitions we host each year,” said Roberta Catalinotto, Executive Director of Youth in Arts. “Art has always been a vehicle for truth, and these young LGBTQIA+ artists are using it to say: we are here, we matter, and our stories deserve to be seen. We are proud to give them this stage and invite everyone in our community to come experience their work.”

Members of the media are invited to attend the opening reception and are welcome to schedule interviews with participating artists. To arrange interviews or for additional information, please contact Angelean Johnson at (415) 457-4878 ext 110 or angelean@youthinarts.org. 

The YIA Gallery is located at 917 C Street, San Rafael, CA 94901. Gallery hours are Monday–Friday, 11:00 AM–4:00 PM. Admission is free and open to the public.

About Youth in Arts 

Youth in Arts is a San Rafael, Calif.-based nonprofit that has championed arts education in the North San Francisco Bay Area since 1970. Through programs including Artists in Schools, Arts Unite Us, `Til Dawn a cappella, and the Intensive Arts Mentorship program, the organization brings professional teaching artists into classrooms, supports educators in integrating the arts into their practice, and provides youth of all abilities and backgrounds with opportunities to develop and share their creative voices. Youth in Arts serves more than 4,000 students in person annually. Youth in Arts builds visual and performing arts skills through innovative, in-depth programs that foster confidence, compassion, and resilience in students of all abilities. Youth in Arts is the only consistent provider of arts programming for special education students in Marin County and maintains a gallery in downtown San Rafael’s Cultural Arts District dedicated to celebrating youth artists. For more information, visit youthinarts.org.

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Media Contact:
Angelean Johnson
Communications & Development Manager, Youth in Arts
415-457-4878
angelean@youthinarts.org

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Catalinotto steps into the executive director role with a focus on deepening community partnerships and expanding programs to provide additional opportunities for Marin youth to find their voice and share it through the arts. Catalinotto’s experience building data-driven development strategies and cultivating relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners will position Youth in Arts for long-term financial sustainability.

“Roberta brings an extraordinary depth of fundraising leadership that is exactly what Youth in Arts needs at this moment. Her proven ability to build development programs from the ground up and to grow organizations to financial sustainability will directly strengthen our capacity to bring arts education to every student who needs it,” said Jane Burkhard, board president of Youth in Arts. “We are confident she will champion our mission of fostering confidence, compassion, and resilience in students of all abilities, including those we are uniquely positioned to serve in Marin County’s special education community.”

Catalinotto joins Youth in Arts from Outward Bound California where she served as interim chief development officer, following seven years as vice president of development at Friends of the Urban Forest in San Francisco, where she built the organization’s first development team and led fundraising efforts to support its $4.5–$5 million annual operating budget. Prior to that, Catalinotto served as senior vice president at Jewish Agency International Development, where she led a national team that grew annual fundraising to more than $40 million. Catalinotto also served as chief development officer at the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund of San Francisco, where she oversaw a team of 22–25 staff raising gifts across the Bay Area, and as the first development director at the Hirshhorn Museum at the Smithsonian. .

“I am thrilled to join Youth in Arts at such an exciting time for the organization. Youth in Arts has spent more than five decades building something truly special: deep community roots, an unwavering commitment to students of all abilities, and programs that deliver lasting impact in schools,” said Catalinotto. “I look forward to partnering with donors, educators, and the community to build on this incredible foundation and carry the mission forward.”

About Youth in Arts

Youth in Arts is a San Rafael, Calif.-based nonprofit that has championed arts education in the North San Francisco Bay Area since 1970. Through programs including Artists in Schools, Arts Unite Us, `Til Dawn a cappella, and the Intensive Arts Mentorship program, the organization brings professional teaching artists into classrooms, supports educators in integrating the arts into their practice, and provides youth of all abilities and backgrounds with opportunities to develop and share their creative voices. Youth in Arts serves more than 4,000 students in person annually. Youth in Arts builds visual and performing arts skills through innovative, in-depth programs that foster confidence, compassion, and resilience in students of all abilities. Youth in Arts is the only consistent provider of arts programming for special education students in Marin County and maintains a gallery in downtown San Rafael’s Cultural Arts District dedicated to celebrating youth artists. For more information, visit youthinarts.org.

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Youth in Arts is proud to be participating in What About Age?, which features panels exploring ageism that were originally displayed in NYU’s Kimmel Windows. The show is on display at the Marin Civic Center galleries through May 6. At Youth in Arts, we assembled teams of younger artists (13 to 17) and older artists (65 and up) to create art to hang alongside the panels. 

Ageism is one of those things you may not think about much – until you get older. As one artist in the show said, “Aging means walking forward while also reflecting back.” 

Our process began with two workshops to take a deeper dive into ageism. We discussed the stereotypes we hold – whether verbalized or not – about older or younger people and how they move through the world. When it came time to create art, artists were eager to learn from each other. Artists who love to draw wanted to work with sculptors; painters learned to make mosaics and work with wood. We paired each younger artist with an older one, and also had a few teams of 3 and 4 who made art together. 

As artists, we thought about what we wanted to say visually. An older artist talked about getting comfortable with her wrinkles. One of her younger artist partners said it never occurred to him that she had once been a middle schooler –the same age he was!

The post “What About Age?” Art Exhibit On View Through May 6 first appeared on Youth in Arts.

Emerging and established artists worked together on “What About Age?,” a free exhibition exploring ageism through visual storytelling.

San Rafael, Calif. — (Jan. 14, 2026) — With one third of Marin County residents projected to be 60 or older by 2030, the Marin Cultural Association, in collaboration with Youth in Arts, presents “What About Age?,” a new exhibition on view at the Marin County Civic Center gallery January 26 through May 6. Through the lens of art, the free exhibit challenges stereotypes about aging and promotes intergenerational conversations.

The exhibition features graphic art panels by New York–based writer and illustrator Aubrey Hirsch. Originally curated by Dr. Stacey Gordon, Associate Executive Director of Older Adult Services at Queens Community House and Senior Fellow of Health and Aging Innovation at NYU Silver School of Social Work, the panels were first displayed at NYU’s Kimmel Windows with support from the NYU Office of the Provost.

In November 2024, San Rafael City Council Member Rachel Kertz encountered the exhibition in New York and recognized an opportunity to bring not only the exhibit to Marin but also to foster community dialogue and provide resources on the topic of aging.

Expanding on the original exhibit, Youth in Arts engaged participants from its Intensive Arts Mentorship (I AM) program, a paid visual arts mentorship for teens from Marin’s underserved communities, pairing youth artists (ages 13-19) with older adult artists (ages 65 and over) to explore themes of ageism through visual storytelling. Under the guidance of Youth in Arts teaching artists, these emerging and established creators worked side by side to produce more than 35 collaborative and interactive pieces reflecting the exhibit’s core message: Art is ageless.

“‘What About Age?’ has been a rich opportunity to explore the many facets of aging – and to celebrate the wisdom that comes with aging,” said Cathy Bowman, Youth in Arts Mentor Artist and Arts Unite Us Coordinator. “It’s been inspiring to watch teams of younger and older artists collaborate on paper, canvas and through sculpture to reflect on what it means to get older because it’s going to happen to all of us.”

An opening reception will be held Thursday, January 29, from 5 to 7 PM, with Dr. Stacey Gordon in attendance.

Works will be displayed on the Civic Center’s first and third floors, which are open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Accessible parking is available at the Civic Center lot off Peter Behr Drive.

Beyond the exhibit, the “What About Age?” initiative offers community education opportunities addressing ageism, including expert-led workshops on supporting older adults, educational sessions on recognizing and reducing ageism, guided tours designed to spark meaningful conversations, and cultural storytelling that builds bridges between generations.

The full educational programming list can be found on the Vivalon website.

About the Marin Cultural Association

Formed in 2015, the Marin Cultural Association (MCA) supports art and culture in Marin County, including enhancing the programs and facilities at the Marin Center and the Marin County Fair. As a nonprofit partner to the Marin County Department of Cultural Services, MCA advocates for and catalyzes increased participation, collaboration and resources for cultural programming for the benefit of all Marin residents. Learn more at marincultural.org.

About Youth in Arts

Youth in Arts (YIA) is dedicated to providing high-quality arts education to students of all backgrounds and abilities. For nearly 55 years, YIA has fostered creativity, confidence, and resilience through visual and performing arts programs throughout Marin County. We focus on whole-person development, empowering students by nurturing their identity, voice, and imagination through creative self-expression. YIA believes that access to the arts is a fundamental right for all students, and we advocate at the local and state level to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to engage in meaningful, artistic experiences in and out of the classroom.

Media, please note: hi-res images and interviews with artists and exhibition organizers are available upon request. Please contact Andie Davis at andie.davis@marincounty.gov or 415-473-6398.

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*CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE*

EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION
WHAT: “What About Age?” Art Exhibit Opening Reception
WHEN: Thursday, January 29, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
WHERE: Marin County Civic Center, 1st and 3rd Floor Galleries
3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903
EXHIBIT RUNS: January 26 – May 6, 2026

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The post Youth and Older Artists Collaborate on New Marin Art Exhibit Challenging Ageism first appeared on Youth in Arts.

In 2022, while in third grade, nine girls participated in the architecture residency at Laurel Dell Elementary School in San Rafael. Working with mentors from UC Berkeley’s Y-PLAN and Youth in Arts, their class learned about design, scale, and structure while taking on challenges posed to them by community leaders. Over three years the children generated proposals for affordable housing; created models and a game featuring pathways, gateways, and bridges to college; and strategized about how to respond to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise. They contributed their hopes and creativity as they generated visions for a joyful, livable San Rafael.

When the students were in fifth grade, architect Patricia Alarcón visited with their class and shared her journey which was featured in the book Latinas and Allies in Architecture. She learned that, since kindergarten, these nine girls had been in a class cohort with sixteen boys. Alarcon speculated that—within that context—these girls may have had powerful reflections and insights about their experiences learning about architecture. Using the Latinas book as inspiration, the girls wrote their own book, Young Girls in Architecture. Their book mirrored the content and layout of the Latinas book. The girls described how they met many challenges and how they grew as designers and leaders over those years.

They wrote their own book, describing their journeys in architecture from 3rd – 5th grade.

“It is challenging to speak in front of the class because I don’t like to speak in public. On one project, I collaborated with Libny. Everything went well while we were sharing in front of the class. It has been okay working with the boys, but they are really loud and crazy, while the girls are mostly calm. In the future I hope to learn more about music, sports, and art. I also hope to become a better architect.” Arleth Rodas Enriquez, Young Girls in Architecture

In 2025, the whole class was selected to receive an achievement award from the Marin Conservation League. Representing their fellow students, Arleth Rodas Enriquez and Libny Balan Pinzon spoke about their visions for how to adapt to sea level rise at the MCL annual dinner for a crowd of more than great poise and confidence, Arleth and Libny proudly took got up to the podium and addressed the audience with poise and confidence.

Arleth and Libny received an award and spoke at the Marin Conservation League dinner.

The post Using Our Voices: Young Girls in Architecture first appeared on Youth in Arts.

Youth in Arts is thrilled to be piloting a summer camp program for children with disabilities! We are offering two sessions: Performing Arts (music and creative movement) this week and Visual Arts next week.

“We’re thrilled to continue Youth in Arts’ long-standing commitment to inclusive arts education through our first inclusive summer camp,” said Executive Director Taylor Buttrey. “Providing a creative space where children of all abilities can explore, express, and connect through the arts is central to our mission.  We’re thankful for the opportunity to provide this vital resource for the community.”

The Performing Arts Camp is starting with two days of creative movement with Teaching Artist KaNi Kido. KaNi said campers will use their imaginations to create stories through music and movement and use scarves and other props. Warm ups will include the Brain Dance, a series of movements created by Anne Green Gilbert that support neuroplasticity and adaptive cognition.

Teaching Artist Liam Robertson will teach three days of music. Campers will explore rhythm and more by playing egg shakers, drums, bells and other instruments. They will learn how to pluck, press and squeeze ukuleles to make sounds.

At the Visual Arts Camp, campers can get messy – but only if they want to. Projects include painting, print making and building sculptures. Everything is designed to create sensory rich experiences (campers will use clay as part of their warm up activities during both weeks.)

Cathy Bowman, coordinator of Youth in Arts’ Arts Unite Us program, will be teaching alongside Teaching Artist Talia Fleischman. Rounding out the team for both weeks is intern Sarabella Muise, who is studying Art Therapy.

Cathy said for parents of children with disabilities, it’s not as simple as just filling out a form.

What if the bathrooms aren’t wheelchair accessible? What if the camp is loud and your child needs a quiet space? What if there aren’t easy to grip paintbrushes and other tools?

“Summer can be a challenging time for keeping children engaged,”  Cathy said. “All kids deserve a camp that is fun, safe and designed to meet their needs.”

Limited spaces are available for both camp weeks. For more information contact Taylor Buttrey at taylor@youthinarts.org or Cathy Bowman at cathy@youthinarts.org.

The post YIA Launches Inclusive Summer Camp first appeared on Youth in Arts.

Each year—in collaboration with Dominican University’s Center for Community Engagement our Youth in Arts / Y-PLAN team co-creates an imaginative curriculum designed to encourage fourth graders at Laurel Dell Elementary to explore pathways to higher education while cultivating their creativity and capacity for civic leadership. Most of the children are English language learners from extended immigrant families woven into the fabric of Marin.

We pose this question to the students: What are the pathways, gateways, and bridges that will lead you from your home and school to college and beyond—and how can the people at Dominican University help?  In studio workshops at their school, they create drawings and models representing obstacles and opportunities they may encounter as they travel from elementary school to college. Professionals and college mentors encourage the youngsters to discover their talents and passions—and to dream about their futures. In the process, the children also build skills and capabilities that will expand their options in adulthood.

Dominican undergrads—many of whom are first generation college students—share their personal journeys with the children and dispense information about local organizations offering academic support and scholarships. They encourage the children to elevate their voices and cultivate their aspirations.

The children make annual visits to the Dominican campus where they conduct experiments in science labs, create graphics in art studios, and are awed by the beautiful sports facilities. At every stop, undergraduates inspire them to excel academically and athletically; to pursue higher education; and to consider careers that will enhance our communities.

At the end of each year at our culminating event, Dominican’s President and Vice President award the young students $200 scholarships. This process is tremendously impactful for the children as they begin to see themselves as creators, innovators, and civic leaders—now and in the future. These young students may become our next mayors, council people, business owners, psychologists, scientists, health care professionals, and artists. This collaboration builds the capacity of young people while spreading affirmative energy into all our lives. When young people in our community achieve and thrive, we are ALL uplifted and enriched.

The post Creators, Innovators, and Civic Leaders—Now and in the Future first appeared on Youth in Arts.

This year’s theme, Breaking the Stigma Through Art, aligns with Hellmold’s ongoing campaign, Break the Stigma (Rooted in Pride, We Bloom), which focuses on mental health within the LGBTQIA+ community. Breaking the STIGMA stands for: Support, Talk, Include, Grow, Mobilize, and Advocate. The Here & Queer showcase will provide a platform for young artists to share their voices, challenge stigma, and celebrate queer identity through creative expression. 

“As an artist myself, I find myself turning to paper and pencil to express my emotions and thoughts,” said the student curator, Eva. “I truly think this opportunity will help our community recognize the queer struggle and simultaneously uplift young queer artists.”

The exhibition features a dynamic range of artwork and creative writing pieces, from young, queer artists throughout Marin County. Each artwork offers a unique glimpse into the lived experiences and identities of students in the local queer community.

“Youth in Arts is honored to host the Here and Queer spotlight show, a powerful testament to the resilience, creativity, and courage of young LGBTQIA+ artists,” states Taylor Buttrey, Executive Director of Youth in Arts. “These artists are not only breaking down barriers – they’re building a more inclusive and compassionate world. We’re thrilled to be able to highlight these talented artists, especially during PRIDE month. Ensuring that all young people, regardless of background or ability, have access to meaningful, empowering arts experiences is central to our mission.”

The Here and Queer Spotlight Show promises to be a thought-provoking and inspiring exhibition that highlights the importance of representation, acceptance, and celebration of LGBTQIA+ voices in the arts. 

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The post Breaking The Stigma Through Art: Student-Curated Here And Queer Show Returns first appeared on Youth in Arts.

From 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, C Street (between 3rd & 4th Street) will transform into a vibrant arts hub. Attendees can look forward to an array of activities designed to ignite the creative spirit in participants of all ages. The festival features joyful student music and dance performances, interactive family workshops, Children’s Avenue chalk painting, a full-length `Til Dawn a cappella concert, teaching artists performances, face painting, local food and drink from Pink Owl Coffee and Hot Italian Pizza, and hands-on art making activities with community partners including California Film Institute (CFI), Marin Society of Artists, Art Works Downtown, the City of San Rafael, the San Rafael Business Improvement District, and more. We will also be unveiling an exciting environmentally-focused mural project, in collaboration with the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art.

“All of us Youth in Arts are thrilled to celebrate the incredible talents of our students and teaching artists with our community” said Taylor Buttrey, Executive Director of Youth in Arts.  “This event reflects our vision that youth of every background and ability deserve the opportunity to express themselves, share their voices, and reach their full potential through the arts.”

Youth in Arts is profoundly grateful for the community and business support of our sponsors and in-kind donors, who enable us to offer this creative event FREE to our students and community. Thank you to our sponsors: Troutman Pepper Locke LLP, The Downtown San Rafael Arts District, The Fenwick Foundation, Schneider Wallace Cottrell Konecky LLP, Julie & Thomas Ballard, Jane & Kurt Burkhard, Lois & Steve Chess, Corte Madera Lions Club, Kate & Eric Newsom, Redwood Grove Wealth Management, and the the Rotary Club of San Rafael. Thank you to our in-kind sponsors: Marin Arts, and Marin MOCA, and finally to our in-kind donors: Mill Valley Refuse, Pink Owl Coffee, Hot Italian Pizza, True Marin Treats, and the Marin Cultural Association.

Youth in Arts programs reach over 5,000 Bay Area children, including all 3,100 TK-5th grade students in the San Rafael City Schools District (SRCS).  Since 2022, YIA has served all elementary aged children in SRCS with semester-long programs in music, dance, and visual arts, helping to bridge the arts equity gap in our own community.

The post Youth in Arts 4th Annual C Street Celebration: A Day of Creativity, Community and Fun! first appeared on Youth in Arts.

Collaborative artwork by students participating in YIA’s Arts Unite Us program.

For more than 25 years, Youth in Arts has been the only consistent arts education provider in Marin County’s Special Day Classrooms (SDCs). Through our Arts Unite Us program, we provide Teaching Artists in visual arts, music and dance to nearly 30 self-contained classrooms.

Each year, we celebrate this work with Outside the Lines. This year’s show includes art from Davidson, Edna McGuire, Hamilton, Hidden Valley, Lu Sutton, Magnolia Park and Vallecito schools. The opening reception is Friday, April 18 from 4 to 6:30 pm.

Teaching Artists with Arts Unite Us are highly skilled at adapting projects to meet students at different levels, from TK to post-secondary classes. Our lessons support IEP goals around fine/gross motor skills, visual-spatial awareness, social skills and more.

In Visual Arts, we build confidence, compassion and resilience by practicing ways to share – and exploring new tools and materials. We discover and embrace surprises in art making, and we practice decision making through the materials and tools we choose. 

In Music, we use different instruments to explore rhythms and sounds, adapting and creating instruments as needed. In Dance, we practice collaboration as we investigate ways to move separately and together. 

In all of our programs, we celebrate that success looks different for everyone. 

The post Arts Unite Us Outside the Lines Showcase first appeared on Youth in Arts.