ENGLEWOOD — For some of New Jersey’s most vulnerable young people, art is more than expression — it’s survival, healing, and a way to be seen.
That idea will take center stage May 4 when Youth Consultation Service (YCS) hosts its 19th annual Blossoms Art Exhibit & Awards Show at bergenPAC, featuring work by children and teens navigating trauma, disability, and complex life circumstances.
The free event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Sandy Bennett Art Gallery, with an awards program beginning at 6:35 p.m.
This year’s theme, “Art Lifts and Frees Me,” reflects the role creative work plays in the lives of participating youth, ages 6 to 21, who are enrolled in YCS special education schools, therapeutic residences, and foster care programs.
The exhibit will include paintings, sculpture, poetry, and other two-dimensional works. The evening will also feature live performances, including original music, hip-hop dance, and spoken word.
“Through art, our youth share their stories, their resilience, and their growth in ways that words alone often cannot,” said Tara Augustine, YCS president and CEO.
First held at a local library in 2004, the Blossoms exhibit has been hosted at bergenPAC since 2008. Organizers say it has grown into a signature event that highlights what can happen when young people are given consistent support and space to create.
YCS, founded in 1918, provides behavioral health, educational, and developmental services across New Jersey, serving children and adults with special needs through dozens of programs statewide.
The exhibit will remain on display at bergenPAC throughout May.
For more information, visit ycs.org.