Hauser & Wirth Launches Education Project in Los Angeles
Education Lab LA opens 16 July 2022 with inaugural artist, Mark Bradford
As reported in ARTNews, Hauser & Wirth Education Lab LA is a new creative education initiative for students from a local high school based in Downtown Los Angeles. The two-part project features workshops led by a team of arts professionals at the gallery and a visual arts project created by the students in collaboration with Los Angeles-based artist Mark Bradford, which opened to the public on 16 July and will remain on view through 18 September. The first Education Lab LA initiative recognizes Bradford’s partnership with the Los Angeles-based, international non-profit, PILAglobal, an organization that offers innovative education to children who live in refugee camps, migrant shelters, or in abject poverty through the creation of ‘Nests,’ or early learning spaces.
‘When young people have the space to express themselves creatively, they offer unique perspectives on their lives and the world around them.’—Mark Bradford
As part of the Education Lab project in Los Angeles, Hauser & Wirth hosted 17 students from the Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts based in Downtown Los Angeles close to the gallery. This spring, in the first part of the initiative, the students began a series of workshops and discussions with different departments at the gallery that feature a behind-the-scenes look at how a commercial art gallery operates. In the summer, the second part of the initiative found students working alongside the team at PILAglobal, Hauser & Wirth and the Bradford studio to create a visual arts project that draws attention to the current global refugee crisis and its humanitarian impact, themes that are central to the work of PILAglobal.
Students at the Education Lab LA Workshop at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles © 2022. Photo: Sarah M Golonka | smg-photography
A student works on a mural that draws attention to the global refugee crisis, the final phase of the Education Lab LA © 2022. Photo: Sarah M Golonka | smg-photography
‘Our inclusive learning programs at Hauser & Wirth are driven by our belief that access to art and artists enriches lives and is a powerful force for good.’ —Manuela Wirth
Mark Bradford says: ‘When young people have the space to express themselves creatively, they offer unique perspectives on their lives and the world around them. There is no more important time to listen to these diverse voices than now. I’m proud to be a part of the work that PILAglobal does, and I can think of no better way to honor our collaboration than with this educational program with the students from Grand Arts High School.’
Manuela Wirth, President, Hauser & Wirth, says: ‘Our inclusive learning programs at Hauser & Wirth are driven by our belief that access to art and artists enriches lives and is a powerful force for good. Mark Bradford’s sustained committment to working with young people has transformed our understanding of how education intersects with social practice. It has been such a privilege to work with him and to watch the student group interact with the gallery team. Debbie Hillyerd, who oversees our global learning program, and I are delighted to bring essential learning opportunities like this one to Los Angeles.’
Learning Team member Marcos Lopez with students at the Education Lab LA Workshop at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles © 2022 Sarah M Golonka | smg-photography
Debbie Hillyerd, Senior Director, Learning, with students at the Education Lab LA Workshop at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles © 2022. Photo: Sarah M Golonka | smg-photography
Lori Gambero, Principal, Ramón C. Cortines, Grand Arts High School of Visual and Performing Arts, says: ‘This partnership with Hauser & Wirth and Mark Bradford brings a unique opportunity for our students to expand their learning beyond the school gates and engage with our local creative community.’
During the past year, the collaboration with PILAglobal has included donations of art supplies, donations of art publications to create a resources library, and a partnership with staff to bring hands-on creative learning programs to over 500 migrant children at PILAglobal locations including their Canyon Nest in Tijuana, Mexico and their Nest in Athens, Greece.
Education Lab LA is part of Hauser & Wirth’s global learning platform that runs projects for individuals, schools, students, special interest groups and families, through a series of meaningful partnerships. Each Education Lab is a collaboration with a local educational organization or non-profit.
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