JENNIFER BRAVERMAN
SAFE SPACE
In 2011, I was completing my Master's of Art Education at Boston University. My thesis concentrated on using art education to support LGBTQ Youth with a focus on the rise in LGBTQ Bullycides. This coincided with the landmark Rutgers student Tyler Clementi's Bullycide.
I wanted to push the concept of a safe space further and painted 18 students ages 11-18 who were victims of LGBTQ Bullycides and Hate Crimes. I felt as an educator, it was imperative to create this space where all students could thrive as their authentic self. Every student has a biography written in their desk. Please take some time to know these wonderful young people.
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First Row: (Left to Right): Jaheem Hererra- 11, Asher Brown-13, Carl Joseph Walker Hoover- 11, Leticia King-15, Seth Walsh-13
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Second Row: Sakia Gunn- 15, Lance Lundsten-18, Nicholas Kelo Jr- 13, Billy Lucas, 15, Gwen Araujo-17
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Third Row: Justin Aaberg- 15, Fred Martinez- 16, Ryan Halligan-13, Billy Clayton, 17
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Fourth Row: Scotty Joe Weaver-18, Cody Barker-17, Jacob Lawrence Orosco-17, Tyler Clementi-18
Here you can see the scale of this painting.
Take time to really look through each portrait. Every child deserves to have their story and life honored. Say their names.
The window and cardinal with the fence reference Matthew Shephard.
Each child has their biography written/painted into the wood grain of the desks.
"Hope Will Never Be Silent." Harvey Milk
the quote on the chalk board reads , “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”⠀ -Langston Hughes.