Student Climate Change Art Showcase

Join The Youth Climate Institute at “Claiming the Future,” an art showcase and contest featuring works from high school and college students.

Running on Saturdays from June 13th through July 11th (closed on July 4th) in Baltimore, Maryland, the exhibit is a partnership between The Crow’s Nest and The Youth Climate Institute (YCI) that features 50+ pieces of art from schools across Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

We kicked off the showcase on Saturday, June 13th with an opening reception. Students, teachers, and community members came together to celebrate these young artists. Cash prizes, sponsored by The Crow’s Nest and YCI, were awarded to three students who best represented the “Claiming the Future” theme with their work.

First Place: “We Were”

Calvin Brown, Academy of Health Sciences

Honorable Mention: “Earth’s Garden”

Eliza Sabah, Academy of Health Sciences

Second Place: “Small Progress”

Sukie Tilghman, The Gunston School

Honorable Mention: “Memories I’ll Have for Tomorrow”

Kelly Holmes, Academy of Health Sciences

Third Place: “Our Love Can be Nature’s Shower”

Leilani Jones, Academy of Health Sciences

Honorable Mention: Even When the Damage is Done

Urielle Nsincha-Djomeni, Academy of Health Sciences

“I am so grateful to have been part of an exhibit that empowered young people to express their feelings about climate change through different forms of media,” said finalist Kelly Holmes, a student and YCI Certified Ambassador from the Academy of Health Sciences. “Over the past year, my passion towards advocating for climate action has grown stronger because of the immense amount of opportunities I’ve had to learn about the effects of global warming.”

The Academy of Health Science is a chapter of The Youth Climate Institute in Prince George’s County, Maryland. YCI is a high school program that combines climate education and action to prepare students to become effective environmental stewards, pursue green jobs and combat the climate crisis. YCI began in 2020 and has worked with more than 1,000 students through 59 active chapters in 13 states.

“The Youth Climate Institute was created out of student desire to do more and put their learning into action,” said Youth Climate Institute Program Manager Kirsten Barbera. “The Crow’s Nest has been an amazing partner and I am thrilled that we were able to showcase all of this positive student art. The topic of climate change can be heavy but our students really give us hope for the future!”

“Claiming the Future” is The Crow’s Nest’s first student exhibit. The showcase opened for earlier this year and ultimately features more than 50 artworks from students from:

Academy of Health Sciences at PGCC
Albemarle High School
Charlottesville High School
Glenelg High School
Johns Hopkins University
Kent County High School
Laurel High School
Marriotts Ridge High School
Morgan State University
Suitland High School
Walter Johnson High school
Wind Dance Farm & Earth Education Center
Western Albemarle High School

“It’s inspiring how much the environmental movement allows for all types of activism – how art, music, or poetry can be just as powerful tools for change as science,” shared finalist Sukie Tilghman, a student and Certified Ambassador from The Gunston School. “Seeing this show demonstrated for me just how interconnected art and the environment are.”

The Crow’s Nest is an art incubator that provides work space, social space, and exhibition space for anyone seeking to address the twin challenges of climate change and environmental justice through artistic expression and cultural production, especially radical and public art.

“Claiming the Future” gives student voices a platform to share how the climate crisis is affecting their lives, families, and future. The showcase is one of many ways the Youth Climate Institute promotes leadership and confidence in its students.

“Being recognized at the Crow’s Nest Art Exhibit was such an honor. I loved seeing people connect with my message, point out details in my work, and share their own interpretations,” said Leilani Jones, another student from Academy of Health Sciences and 3rd place winner, “It was also inspiring to exhibit alongside so many talented artists and see the different ways they expressed their perspectives. I’m incredibly grateful to have been selected as a finalist and to have earned 3rd place. Having my work recognized and my message resonate with others made the experience even more meaningful.”

Head to The Crow’s Nest on Saturdays between 1PM and 4PM to view the rest of the exhibit until July 11th!

To learn more about The Crow’s Nest, reach out to alexi@crowsnestbaltimore.com.

To learn more about The Youth Climate Institute, visit youthclimateleader.org or reach out to info@youthclimateleader.org.