What makes a problem a societal issue? Why do these problems persist? What roles can visual art play in addressing these issues? ArtReach: The Art of Caring is the product of a semester-long focus on questions of social justice and healing with visual art students at Sumner and Vashon High Schools. Using the media of performance, photography, graphic design, and printmaking, Resident Teaching Artists Colin McLaughlin, Jeremy Rabus, and Rodrick Whetstone facilitated student exploration and consideration of these questions and the part that they each can play. The outcome is a collection of Nick Cave-inspired wearable art pieces, narrative photography, and both digital and print posters that document the students’ research and the societal problems that concern them the most. Their work continues in the second semester under the guidance of Resident Teaching Artists Bharat Ajari, Juan William Chávez, and Yvonne Anguiano.

ArtReach: The Art of Caring is organized for the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis by Miriam Ruiz, School and Community Programs Manager.