Loudoun County Children Channel COVID-19 Frustrations into Artwork Exhibit | WDVM25 & DCW50

LEESBURG, Virginia (WDVM) – The Loudoun County Art Advisory Committee (AAC) displays artwork created by students from vulnerable families in the community.

The paintings are flying off the walls and money is pouring into the pockets of young artists like David Mejia-Medina. His works of art hang on the walls with a total of 19 pieces that were created by students between the ages of 11 and 16 in an exhibition entitled “Youth Movement”.

“What inspired me is happiness and I thought about my family … I just thought about the moments I share with them,” said Mejia-Medina.

The exhibition features work by students from INMED USA Partnerships for Children, a non-profit organization that aims to empower vulnerable children.

“Sometimes they deal with things that we can hardly imagine. I just hoped this would help them stop thinking about survival and just express themselves, ”said Jennifer Smith, director of US programs at INMED USA.

Enter the Loudoun County Art Advisory Committee showing the exhibit and Lisa Jones of the Loudoun Arts Council. Jones created the program to instill confidence and constructive creativity among aspiring artists.

“When they took a step back and saw what they were doing, as David said, he was just just proud, someone couldn’t believe they could do something so beautiful and these pieces are beautiful,” said Jones.

The pieces sell for between $ 35 and $ 75 per painting, and half of the artwork is already sold.

The student’s artwork is not the only one on display. Gallery One is also showing 24 ceramic bowls made by Loudoun potters to aid Empty Bowls to raise funds for famine relief in Loudoun County.

The exhibition can be seen until July 2nd.