GREATER WESTFIELD-Capturing the relationship between health and food insecurity is the theme of ArtsFest 21, sponsored by the Teen Board of Rachel’s Table.
Artists of all ages are encouraged to express what that theme means to them through paintings, graphic art, poetry, song, small sculpture, storytelling, dance, photography, or CANstruction, according to Rebecca Mitrani Marmor, director of the Teen Board.
“ArtsFest 21 is an excellent opportunity for budding artists to showcase their work and use it to bring awareness of how hunger may affect overall health,” said Mitrani Marmor. “Through ArtsFest 21, we also hope to create a dialogue among our local artists and greater community about food insecurity and compel them to take action against it.”
Mitrani Marmor noted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ArtsFest 21 will be conducted virtually this year.
Persons interested in participating in the event must email Mitrani Marmor at [email protected] to reserve a spot. Only one submission per artist will be accepted, and spots are limited.
Three winners will be chosen – one for each age category – 13 and younger; 14-18, and 19 and older, and winners will receive up to $75 in gift cards.
All art pieces must be submitted electronically at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqgEhfB2qlof-qLtNRp7zPeOJSl_8jPptP8ypOHGEKrl1m4w/viewform?usp=sf_link and are due by March 10. All entries will become the property of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts and will not be returned.
“The judging panel will be made up of artists and community leaders in Western Massachusetts,” said Mitrani Marmor. “All submissions will be judged on creativity, thoughtfulness, and adherence to the theme.”
Zuzanna Hitchcock of Westfield, the newest member of the Teen Board, is encouraging others to get involved and share their artwork.
“I am participating in ArtsFest because I love to create art and if my art can influence people to help others, I think it makes it even more special,” said Hitchcock. “I strongly encourage others to participate as well because it is important to learn about what others are going through and connect with that through a piece of art.”
Anthony Marino of Longmeadow, a member of the Teen Board since seventh grade, shared a similar sentiment.
“I’m encouraging others to participate in the ArtsFest 21 because it’s an awesome opportunity to get involved with our surrounding communities, and is a great way to understand/open your eyes up to some of the issues (involving food insecurity) that might be prevalent in your own town,” said Marino, who has served as president of the Teen Board for the last two years.
Marino noted that ArtsFest 21 will educate young people and adults that one in five families experience food insecurity.
“That’s crazy to think about,” said Marino. “The ArtsFest 21 is an outlet to show people’s creativity/expression through their many different types of art. Their goal is to show the relationship between food insecurity and health.”
Marino added that sharing this message in Western Massachusetts “is one step closer to combatting food insecurity in our own area.”
A virtual ceremony will be conducted on the evening of March 21 to announce the winners and congratulate the participants.
“University of Massachusetts nursing students have been working with the Teen Board on middle school and high school lesson plans on health and food insecurity, which is available upon request,” said Mitrani Marmor. “The curriculum can support art teachers in their classes to facilitate a unit on health and food insecurity, raising awareness and inspiring youth to express their opinions creatively as well as guiding them in steps to make a difference.”
ArtsFest 21 is made possible through a special grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
For more information about submitting artwork for ArtsFest 21, visit https://sites.google.com/view/rachelstableteenboard-artsfest/home
The Rachel’s Table Teen Board is made up of 50 members whose goal is to support the organization in alleviating hunger and reducing waste of food resources in Western Massachusetts, notes Mitrani Marmor, adding Rachel’s Table is a project of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts that has more than 200 volunteers who collect food from supermarkets, restaurants, caterers, and bakeries, and deliver it to more than 40 agencies, including soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters.
For more information on the organization, visit https://rachelstablespringfield.org.
