Art, Expression, and Youth Voices

Over the past months, creativity has been thriving at Phelps through the project À Nous la Parole: Youth Voices on Page. This youth-centered initiative invited participants to explore different forms of artistic expression while reflecting on meaningful themes about who they are, where they come from, and where they are going.

Throughout a series of hands-on workshops, youth experimented with a wide range of creative mediums. Participants explored printmaking techniques, created expressive collages, discovered the impact of blackout poetry, experimented with photography, and took part in a creative writing component that encouraged them to put their thoughts and ideas into words.

As they created, participants reflected on three guiding themes: Identity: Who am I?

Culture / Community: Where am I?

Future: Where am I going?

These themes encouraged youth to think deeply about their personal stories, their connection to community and culture, and their hopes for the future. Through art and writing, they were able to share perspectives that were thoughtful, personal, and uniquely their own.

One of the lasting impacts of the project goes beyond the creative work produced. Thanks to the project’s support, the Youth Club now has a fully stocked art cupboard, filled with supplies and creative tools that youth can access whenever inspiration strikes. Whether it’s drawing, writing poetry, making collages, or trying a new artistic technique, the materials are now available whenever creativity calls.

Projects like À Nous la Parole help create space for young people to explore their voices, build confidence, and connect through creativity, and we can’t wait to see what our youth create next.

*À Nous la Parole: Youth Voices on Page was made possible thanks to financial support from the Government of Québec through the Programme d’aide financière aux initiatives locales et régionales en matière d’activité physique et de plein air (PAFILR).*