Art shines at ‘Starry, Starry Night’ fundraiser for Youth Bridge

Young artists were the stars at Embassy Suites hotel Thursday night (Nov. 13) as 400 guests enjoyed the art they created for the sixth annual, “Starry, Starry Night … Almost a Masterpiece” Art Challenge and Auction fundraiser for youth in treatment at Youth Bridge.

Youth Bridge provides preventative services, counseling and shelter for teenagers, ages 13-17. It is the only non-profit agency for court-appointed community-based services and is one of three agencies in Arkansas that provides residential substance abuse treatment for only youth. They are also the only agency in the Arkansas that operates the federal Runaway Homeless Youth transitional living program and the only provider of the National Safe Place Program in Arkansas.

For the event, youth, celebrities and other individuals created art with specified art supplies for competition and fun. Their artwork was then sold at a silent auction during the evening and all proceeds went to help fund the art therapy program at Youth Bridge.

Art therapy uses materials such as paint, oil pastels, markers, clay or crayons as a means of self-expression, Nancy Hairston, director of development for Youth Bridge, said. 

“It is a great solution for a teen that has been in a difficult situation such as divorce, abuse or violence in the home, or has struggled with an addiction or perhaps an eating disorder to communicate and identify thoughts and feelings about their difference experiences and circumstances,” she said.

Research shows that managed art therapy programs reduce anger, anxiety, addictions, depression and other mental health disorders by 30%. In those same clients, self-esteem increased by 50%. Youth Bridge depends on art therapy to create a level of trust and accomplishment in their clients. 

“Kids come into our residential program with all these emotions going on – fear, anger, angst, frustration and getting them involved in art media like painting, pottery, writing poems, doing music. … It helps them open up because it is non-threatening,” Hairston said.

Former Youth Bridge art therapist Barbara Price Davis said, “The art that the adolescent produces can help us gain some idea of the youth’s concerns and life circumstances, especially those situations that are too risky to reveal or too embarrassing to relate. This awareness better equips us in our efforts to protect and support the adolescent during this turbulent time of life.”

As guests arrived at the event, they entered into a French country vineyard in the ballroom and visited different stations to get a feel of the fear, uncertainty and anger that a youth might feel when they arrive at Youth Bridge. Guests then continued their journey, just as a youth would, to experience trust, beauty, insight and hope.

In addition to the traditional art, culinary, visual and musical artists demonstrated their work, and professional artist Christina Mariotti painted live onstage throughout the evening. Daymara Baker, national account director, Walmart and Sam’s Club for Chiquita Brands, along with honorary chair, Brittney Duke, business development office and managing director, New York for Saatchi & Saatchi X, hosted the event.

“Serving in the communities where we work has always been a core value of Saatchi & Saatchi X,” Duke said. “Youth Bridge is one of the organizations we support through the C.A.R.E. Initiative, our employee-driven foundation, and we appreciate the work they do to turn around the lives of youth who have suffered abuse and neglect.”

Hairston said she hoped the event would raise between $25,000 and $50,000 for Youth Bridge.