Young Aspirations Young Artists

With a 65% unemployment rate for young Black males in New Orleans, artist/teacher/activist Jana Napoli created an afterschool arts program that she hoped would help to break the cycle of poverty and disillusionment for some inner-city kids. Using old chairs as a canvas, the kids began to paint and the "Young Aspirations/Young Artists" (or YA/YA) group was formed. Awarded an Honorable Mention at this year's San Francisco International Film Festival, Young Aspirations/Young Artists, from filmmaker Shirley Thompson, tells the story of this amazing group who have traveled around the world, been featured on MTV and "The Today Show," and been written up in magazines as diverse as Life and Rolling Stone. Young artists such as Darryl White, Julie Carr, and Carlos Neville, talk about what the YA/YA experience has meant to them and display their exceptionally colorful and creative pop art chairs (and, believe me, you'll find yourself wanting one of these chairs). A non-profit organization, YA/YA does more than simply encourage talented children to express themselves artistically, the kids become familiar with every aspect of the "business" of being a working artist. As a model for empowering at-risk youth through art, Young Aspirations/Young Artists is impressive indeed. All that's really required is a little time and caring. The kids do the rest. Highly recommended. [Note: a 57-minute version is available for $295.] (Available from: New Day Films, 121 West 27th St., Suite 902, New York, NY 10001; (212) 645-8210.)