Youth Speak Out in Bold New Exhibition: The Adolescent Perspective

Curated by Brian Bailey Jr. | Artist Talk Hosted by Dee Dwyer

Washington, D.C. — On July 11, 2025, from 6PM to 10PM, the Anacostia Arts Center will host The Adolescent Perspective, a powerful opening reception gallery exhibition curated by Brian Bailey Jr. and presented by Elemental Studio in collaboration with Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

This groundbreaking showcase centers the voices of young people who are often unheard, offering raw, unapologetic visual statements on identity, power, and self-expression. The exhibition challenges the notion that adolescents are too young to impact the world—spotlighting their capacity to provoke thought, demand justice, and shift culture through art.

“As adolescents, we don’t tend to use our voices or creativity to express a message or belief,” reads the exhibition statement. “The goal for this exhibition is to show that we can. Through our imagery, we want to change the perspective of those around us and bring about real change.”

The evening will also feature a live artist talk hosted by acclaimed photographer and community documentarian Dee Dwyer, offering a deeper dive into the inspirations and intentions behind the work.

Through a mix of portraiture, symbolism, and storytelling, the featured youth artists tackle issues such as censorship, consumerism, racial identity, and civic engagement—prompting viewers to reconsider the way society sees and hears its youngest members.

The Adolescent Perspective is more than an art show—it’s a call to listen.

Admission is free and open to the public.
Location: Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Marion Barry Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020

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