True Body for Teens Returns. The Well and ArtWorks team up again for youth mental wellbeing.
Posted April 09, 2023 in News Articles
Author: Stacy Sims
In 2005, we piloted the True Body Project with ArtWorks as a summer apprenticeship for teen girls. That summer, the girls created a literary journal and were featured in a documentary film. Since then, we have expanded the True Body Project in deep connection with youth in schools, to adults around the world, and in community engaged theatre projects from Cincinnati to New York to LA.
When I read about the teen girl mental health crisis, I was both saddened and unsurprised. What I felt most was the desire to return to the format that began the program. With a renewed partnership with ArtWorks to fund a summer-long youth apprenticeship, we can once again pay teen girls to come to better understand themselves, each other, and to advocate for the health and safety of girls and women everywhere through artistic expression.
I am delighted to announce that this summer we will hire 12 female-identifying and gender-expansive youth, including trans girls and non-binary, as apprentice artists for an 8-week True Body Project experience at The Well's new studio and gallery space in Camp Washington. Combining mindfulness, embodiment, writing and art-making, the teens will create a series of wheat-paste murals and book along with teaching artists, The Well staff, and guest artists/inspirers.
Here are some ways to connect or support us.
- We are seeking leadership gifts of $1000. This tax-deductible gift is to A Mindful Moment, the non-profit that nourishes our work. If you prefer to make a gift to ArtWorks for this collaboration, please let us know and we will connect you. We would greatly appreciate any donation as we work to fund a new mural and literary journal, plus pay artists and guests and teens.
-
Are you interested in being a guest this summer? We will be joined by several of the young women who were in the first True Body programs and we love guest inspirers and participants. The timeline is June 12 - August 4, Monday - Thursday, 9 am to 2 pm. If so, let us know and we will follow up.
-
Do you know any teens ages 16-21 who might wish to apply? The application is here.
-
Do you have a place to share this information with others? Someone you think may be interested in supporting us? Forward this or ask us to provide you with additional info.
If you have a younger teen, age 12-15, who is looking for a True Body experience, we have a weeklong camp from July 10-14 for girls. They will meet and connect with older teens and visiting artists and have loads of time within their own cohort for movement, artistic expression and connection.