The Quincy Art Center in Illinois recently welcomed two high school students, Ivy Liesen and Grace Messan, as youth employees through the Illinois Arts Council’s Summer Youth Employment program. These students played significant roles in the education department, assisting with summer youth classes and community outreach initiatives. Liesen, a 17-year-old student at Central High School, has a passion for mixed media art, photography, and literature. Coming from a rural area where her family runs a cattle farm, Ivy immersed herself in the creative environment of the art center. She worked with the education team, supervising art classes for children, preparing materials, and taking inventory. Liesen aspires to work in a non-profit organization similar to the Quincy Art Center in the future.
On the other hand, Grace Messan, also 17, is a student at Quincy High School with a lifelong interest in art. Having attended classes at the Art Center as a child, she returned to a more involved role this summer. Messan expressed her enjoyment of working with the children in classes, building rapport with students, and learning about their interests. Director of Education Rachel Roundtree commended the interns for their contributions, highlighting their spirit and work ethic. As a former high school art teacher, Roundtree appreciated the opportunity to work with high school students again and wished Liesen and Messan the best in their senior year of high school.
Roundtree also acknowledged the support of the Illinois Arts Council grant in making this experience possible. She emphasized the importance of fostering artistic engagement in youth and watching the interns‘ skills grow throughout the program. The Quincy Art Center plans to apply for the Summer Youth Employment grant again in 2025, providing more opportunities for high school students to get involved. High school youths can also volunteer at the Quincy Art Center and participate in the annual high school art competition, which opens in February 2025.
In conclusion, the Quincy Art Center’s partnership with the Illinois Arts Council’s Summer Youth Employment program has provided valuable experiences for high school students like Ivy Liesen and Grace Messan. Through their involvement in the education department, these students have contributed to the center’s summer youth classes and community outreach initiatives. The Art Center looks forward to continuing this partnership in the future and providing opportunities for more high school students to engage with the arts. For those interested in getting involved, volunteering, or participating in the high school art competition, the Quincy Art Center can be reached at 217-223-5900.