The inspiring artists and writers that were selected for the August 2018 ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal issue and online exhibition themed Youth.

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Leah Dockrill

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

In the past, society treated kids as “little adults,” ignoring the specific needs of that age. It wasn’t before the late 18th century that the theme of childhood evolved in art. But contemporary artists, like Leah Dockrill, are well aware of the importance of articulating this subject.

Leah Dockrill is the Gold Artist of the ArtAscent Youth call for artists. To see the full body of work and profile, get a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.
www.leahdockrill.net

ArtAscent Writer of the Youth call for artists

Krystle Vermes

The Deep End

”There is no such thing as the deep end,” he said. “I promise.”
Thomas had been in this pool several times before. There was no reason for Tallulah not to believe him. She dipped her toe into the water and let the initial chill rise up her small body. This was the first time she was swimming without her water wings…

Peer pressure, sheer terror, and calm resolution combine in writer Krystle Vermes’ short story The Deep End, to reflect upon the challenges of youth. Both relatable and remarkably chilling, Krystle’s prose recalls the dangers of youthful risk-taking.

Krystle Vermes is the Gold Writer of the ArtAscent Youth call for writers. To see the full body of work and profile, get a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.
www.krystlevermes.com

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Xinxin Zhang

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Youth is the product with an expiration date. Today when youth is aggressively promoted by mass media, it becomes a factor of frustration: young people already live in fear of wasting ‘precious years.’ Xinxin Zhang captures that nostalgia about yet-not-gone youth in her works.

Xinxin Zhang is the Silver Artist of the ArtAscent Youth call for artists. To see the full body of work and profile, get a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.
https://www.xinxinzphotography.com/

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Roger Allan Cleaves

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Recalling the mythical narratives that permeated his youth as an escape from the racial injustices of the world, Roger Allan Cleaves’ paintings, including Hope on Hand, Hustle Bustle, and Garden Chatter, invoke history and modernity in dynamic compositions.

Roger Allan Cleaves is the Bronze Artist of the ArtAscent Youth call for artists. To see the full body of work and profile, get a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.
www.rogerallancleaves.com

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Donna Barati

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see the full body of work, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.
www.donnabarati.com

ArtAscent Writer of the Youth call for artists

Vacen Taylor

A Theory of Youth

what did we know?
when the black bubbled and the light appeared
the silence around us vanished
and board laws became physical…

Distinguished Writer of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see the full body of work, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.
www.vacentaylor.com

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Vaishnavi Vikas

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see the full body of work, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.

ArtAscent Writer of the Youth call for artists

Reshma Madhi

Don’t Forget Verene

You smile though you are alone
Scars of your life traumas you’ve hidden well
I hesitate, my life ahead of me
A smile? I forget I have it…

Distinguished Writer of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see the full body of work, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Vasile Ghiuta

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see the full body of work, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Wes Baden

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see this in print, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Rashad Ali Muhammad

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see this in print, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.
https://www.ramcreates.com/

ArtAscent Writer of the Youth call for artists

Désiré Betty

The Gift

Youthfulness is a gift,
Bestowed upon us.
We take it.
Squander it.
And only embrace it…

Distinguished Writer of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see the full body of work, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.
https://desirebetty.carbonmade.com/

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Maria Raczynska

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see the full body of work, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.
www.youtube.com/mariamorjane

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Ljubica Simovic

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see this in print, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.

ArtAscent Writer of the Youth call for artists

Joyce Fox

Only Yesterday

When I was young, which seems like only yesterday
I skipped from school to Mother and my childhood home
Yellow sou’wester kept off the drizzly rain
In mucky air of smoky Salford 7
Past solitary tree with sooty bark
Back to warmth of coal fired kitchen heaven …

Distinguished Writer of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see the full body of work, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Tina Ybarra

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see the full body of work, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.

ArtAscent Writer of the Youth call for artists

Nick Compton

Portrait: Homeless Daughter: ‘Sophie’ Aged Seven

Youth blown away. Like a breath to dust or ash, the daughter exists no more. She is bruised calcium on a rim of nail; a scratch and fracture inside a bag of skin; an unnoticed bundle hidden in slick foetal curves of blankets and doorways. Tears well in the viridian stardust of her eyes. The rings of her orbital socket lined with the London grime of neglect…

Distinguished Writer of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see the full body of work, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.
https://nickjmorris08.wixsite.com/nickcompton8

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Rob Lenihan

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see the full body of work, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.
www.roblenihan.com

ArtAscent Writer of the Youth call for artists

Dianalee Velie

Hero

Daddy didn’t dare tell Mama
how to raise her three daughters,
especially, he didn’t dare tell
her no Catholic Schools….

Distinguished Writer of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see the full body of work, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.
www.dianaleevelie.com

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Thelma Pott

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Youth call for entry. To see the full body of work, grab a copy of the ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal Youth issue.
www.thelmapott.com