The Big Picture

It isn’t everyday a teen, particularly one who’s considered at-risk, gets to create a billboard. But that’s just what’s happened this summer at PlatteForum, where twelve youths enrolled in the gallery’s ArtLab program teamed up with student mentors from Metro State College of Denver’s Communication Design Department to create six...

By Susan Froyd

August 27, 2009

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It isn’t everyday a teen, particularly one who’s considered at-risk, gets to create a billboard. But that’s just what’s happened this summer at PlatteForum, where twelve youths enrolled in the gallery’s ArtLab program teamed up with student mentors from Metro State College of Denver’s Communication Design Department to create six billboards touting the large-scale theme of “tolerance” as part of Design Ignites Change--Create! Don't Hate. Eight weeks later, they’re ready to unveil the results, and here’s why you should be there: These kids are relying on you, the public, to help decide which one will go all the way to the top—the top of a real billboard, that is, for all to see—courtesy of Lamar Outdoor Advertising.

You can cast your vote at tonight’s opening reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. or throughout the exhibit’s run, which ends September 4. And just like that, some hardworking kid’s work will go up in lights. PlatteForum is at 1610 Little Raven Street, Suite 135; get information at www.platteforum.org or call 303-893-0791.
Aug. 27-Sept. 4, 2009

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Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

Contact: Susan Froyd

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