Destiny Varela, Sarah Granstrom, and Stahl Janos, students from Downers Grove South High School, have been chosen as teen leaders for Make., a new after-school teen art program with the purpose of using the arts to facilitate discussion on social justice and mental health topics. 
Make. is a new program through The Center for Creative Arts Therapy. Make. Leaders and members will come together beginning January 15th to create art surrounding a monthly theme. Creations are not limited to the visual arts, but encompass music, creative writing, dance, and other performance arts as well.
The Teen Leaders will be responsible for choosing the monthly themes, providing peer support for Make. Members, and running the quarterly community showcase, where students can perform and display their creations.
“Make. is a place where teens have a voice, and their voice matters,” states Azizi Marshall, Founder & CEO, Center for Creative Arts Therapy.
Since the Center for Creative Arts Therapy’s inception, it has served 100’s of individuals, organizations, schools and communities with its arts-based approach to mental health and emotional wellness. Located directly adjacent to Downers Grove North High School, it was a natural move for the Center to begin offering an after-school program for Downers Grove teens.
“We wanted to create a space where teens could come and use their art to express themselves and make a difference in the community,” shared Savera Iftikhar, Make. facilitator. “There’s nothing like this program in the area, so we created one!”
“We are so excited to begin this program to support our teens and community. We look forward to continue bringing our community together through the arts,” says Marshall.
For more information about the Make. Teen Art Program or the Center for Creative Arts Therapy, please contact:
Azizi Marshall, Founder & CEO, The Center for Creative Arts Therapy, 4336 Saratoga Ave., 2nd Floor, Downers Grove, IL 60515, 847.477.8244, info@c4creativeartstherapy.com.
