This year has presented many challenges, which have often interfered with productivity. Maria Carla Genovesi (BFA Fine Arts ’21) and Kade Clemensen took matters into their own hands, and decided to turn a lockdown into an artistic mission. Maria and Kade’s It’s not a gallery, seeks to address issues related to children’s mental health and child/teen suicide. The duo works with nonprofits and other artists to help raise funds and awareness to prevent child suicide.
Since it’s important to reach a wide and diverse audience, Maria and Kade made the project mobile, going from New York City to Salt Lake City to California. Through It’s not a gallery, the artists collaborate on artworks and live performances that can be shown anywhere. Currently, they are working on a new 30-30-30 project, inspired by Kade’s original 30-30-30 piece in which he traveled to 30 countries in 30 days, ending on his 30th birthday.
The new, collaborative 30-30-30 project consists of a performance where the artists will change cities daily throughout a 30 day period, creating a new painting in each city. At every stop, Maria and Kade will virtually welcome four children to create their own piece of art, allowing them the opportunity to express themselves through their creativity. The performance will culminate in San Diego, where all 30 paintings will be exhibited alongside a live performance, with the artists working with children on their biggest painting. All paintings will be for sale, with proceeds going to a nonprofit working to address children’s mental health and child suicide.
Maybe you’re still stuck inside? Unable to travel? Join the road trip by following @itsnotagallery.
