SITE Santa Fe’s Young Curators are pleased to present Asylum, on view at SITE Santa Fe from May 6 through May 22, 2016 at SITE Santa Fe, 1606 Paseo de Peralta. The public is invited to join the Young Curators for an opening event on Friday, May 6, 6-7pm at SITE.

Asylum is an exhibition of high school and university student artwork curated by SITE Santa Fe’s Young Curators. Inspired by the word ‘asylum,’ the Young Curators put out a call for artwork that explores the different interpretations of the following definitions:

1. A place of protection for a person or group of people from external threats.
2. [dated] An institution for the confinement of those deemed mentally unstable.

The Young Curators have selected works that explored new and varied interpretations of ‘asylum.’ Most of the works do not provide literal definitions but are, instead, delving into the subtleties of internal sources of refuge or solace. They Young Curators are interested in exploring external vs. internal asylums and how such a charged word, asylum, can be interpreted on the personal scale.

Young Curators:

• Kassandra Anaya
• Asa Benson-Core
• Isabelle Lee Clinton
• Miki Duvoisin
• Nina Fenzl
• Valerie Freeman
• Jessie Hodges
• Ezri Horne
• Ryan Miller
• Madison Winston

Participating Artists:

• Merritt Barnwell
• Adam Bethel
• Matthew Blumenschein
• Rachael Buffett
• Matia Daskalos
• Craig Duncan
• Jessica Fisk
• Sevia Gonzales
• Nina Greggs
• Christopher James
• Emil Kennedy
• Sophie Long
• Libby Marrs
• Ben Maseman
• Annie Sanchez

The Young Curators is the only program of its kind in New Mexico. It teaches high school students the curatorial side of the art experience, providing alternative ways for teens to connect with art while giving them a glimpse of possibilities within museum careers. Participants in the Young Curators program make empowering decisions about their exhibition’s theme, venue, choice of work to include, PR and marketing, fundraising, installation, and opening events. The Young Curators Program is a free, after-school program that also gives young artists the opportunity to present their work in a professional setting. To learn more about the Young Curators Program, or about upcoming exhibitions, please contact Amanda Lee at 505.989.1199, ext. 14 or email at lee@sitesantafe.org.

SITE Santa Fe creates significant experiences for visitors by presenting the most innovative visual art of our time in new and engaging ways. Year-round exhibitions and educational programs expand the creative and intellectual potential of the audience and carry forward the region’s tradition of fostering avant-garde art.

This project is made possible by The Stranahan Foundation; the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission and the 1% Lodgers’ Tax; The Santa Fe Children and Youth Commission; New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs; the Donald & Barbara Meyer Educational Fund; and two anonymous family foundations.