Celebrating Young Talent: UnFair's Young Artists Opportunity Program
UnFair is dedicated to empowering local artists by breaking down traditional barriers and providing opportunities for young, marginalized artists to thrive. Through mentoring, coaching, and collaboration, UnFair helps artists develop marketable skills and creative confidence. This commitment to nurturing talent has led to the creation of the Harild Kyler Young Artist Opportunity Award, named in honor of Aril Joi F., a local artist who has greatly benefited from UnFair's support.
Program Details The Young Artists Opportunity Program aims to support young artists facing social or economic challenges that hinder their creative success. By offering mentoring and coaching, UnFair equips these artists with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the art world. The program includes opportunities to participate in UnFair, one of Louisville's most vibrant and inclusive art festivals.
The Inception of the Award Inspired by the support she received from UnFair, Aril Joi F. wanted to give back to the community. Collaborating with the UnFair team, Aril helped conceptualize the idea of using extra funds from her 2023 t-shirt sales to benefit young local artists. This led to the establishment of the Harild Kyler Young Artist Opportunity Award, named after Aril's art pseudonym. The award aims to honor Aril's contributions and provide a platform for young artists to showcase their talents.
On May 23, 2024, UnFair announced the first recipient of the Harild Kyler Young Artist Opportunity Award: Jeremiah M., a junior at Atherton High School. Jeremiah, a talented artist, is excited about his debut at UnFair. He expressed his determination to make his Uncle Richie and mentor Mrs. Tiffany proud and to promote his artwork to the best of his ability. Jeremiah's enthusiasm and high expectations for himself underscore the potential impact of this award.
Mentorship and Support UnFair is committed to mentoring Jeremiah, providing coaching for his artwork, and teaching him best practices for selling art. This includes preparing his art for the event, sales techniques, and the logistics of participating in art shows. Jeremiah has already gained valuable experience by helping with UnFair merchandise inventory, preparing building materials, and attending a screen printing workshop at Heritage Print Shop.
Community Engagement As part of his participation at this year’s UnFair, Jeremiah will assist in building and tearing down the event venue and will be on-site daily to engage with attendees and sell his artwork. This hands-on experience is designed to build his confidence and equip him with the skills necessary for a success in art and in life.
The Harild Kyler Young Artist Opportunity Award represents UnFair's commitment to nurturing young talent and removing barriers to creative success. By supporting artists like Jeremiah M., UnFair continues to foster a vibrant and inclusive artistic community. We look forward to seeing Jeremiah's contributions to this year's UnFair and celebrating the impact of this new initiative.
Support UnFair's mission by attending our events, purchasing merchandise, or making a donation. You can event become a sponsor. Your contributions help us continue to empower young artists and support our vibrant art community.
