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"For me, being a global citizen is about learning and connecting to others' lives." Sofia, age 18
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B/W Photo By: @nick.collura
Final Portrait by: @kat_schleicher
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The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the pattern that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance should determine our youths' existence, or that the identity that society has assigned them will be their one-dimensional reality. Art Start believes that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to explore, design, and imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.#seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm #latinx

"For me, being a global citizen is about learning and connecting to others' lives." Sofia, age 18
.
.
B/W Photo By: @nick.collura
Final Portrait by: @kat_schleicher
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the pattern that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance should determine our youths' existence, or that the identity that society has assigned them will be their one-dimensional reality. Art Start believes that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to explore, design, and imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.#seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm #latinx

"See me because I am strong, loving and hard-working. I know myself and I am proud of who I am."
Vero, aged 17
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B/W Photo By: @nick.collura
Final Portrait by: @nick.collura
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The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the pattern that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance should determine our youths' existence, or that the identity that society has assigned them will be their one-dimensional reality. Art Start believes that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to explore, design, and imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.#seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm #latinx

"See me because I am strong, loving and hard-working. I know myself and I am proud of who I am."
Vero, aged 17
.
.
B/W Photo By: @nick.collura
Final Portrait by: @nick.collura
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the pattern that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance should determine our youths' existence, or that the identity that society has assigned them will be their one-dimensional reality. Art Start believes that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to explore, design, and imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.#seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm #latinx

."I want people to see me with my Rubik's cube in hand, 'cause the cube has an infinite world of algorithms."
- Miguel
Age 15
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#SeeMeBecause.
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B/W 📸 @nick.collura
Final Portrait 📸: @sarastathas
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The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the pattern that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance should determine our youths' existence, or that the identity that society has assigned them will be their one-dimensional reality. Art Start believes that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to explore, design, and imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.#seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm #latinx

."I want people to see me with my Rubik's cube in hand, 'cause the cube has an infinite world of algorithms."
- Miguel
Age 15
.
#SeeMeBecause.
.
B/W 📸 @nick.collura
Final Portrait 📸: @sarastathas
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the pattern that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance should determine our youths' existence, or that the identity that society has assigned them will be their one-dimensional reality. Art Start believes that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to explore, design, and imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.#seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm #latinx

“See me because I have ideals, creativity, and I am human. See me because I have a voice and want to help others have one too.”
- Ethan
Age 17
📸: @nick.collura
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The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the pattern that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance should determine our youths' existence, or that the identity that society has assigned them will be their one-dimensional reality. Art Start believes that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to explore, design, and imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.#seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm #latinx

See me because,
I am here to be me.
One of billions, most of which
you only get a glimpse of.

See me because,
I'm the only me you'll see.
Not anyone can be me.

See me.
Don't waste the opportunity.
I may not be anyone to you
but at least I am me.
The best one to be me.
-Mark Anthony
Age 17

📸 @nickcollura

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.
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The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the pattern that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance should determine our youths' existence, or that the identity that society has assigned them will be their one-dimensional reality. Art Start believes that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to explore, design, and imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.#seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm

See me because,
I am here to be me.
One of billions, most of which
you only get a glimpse of.

See me because,
I'm the only me you'll see.
Not anyone can be me.

See me.
Don't waste the opportunity.
I may not be anyone to you
but at least I am me.
The best one to be me.
-Mark Anthony
Age 17

📸 @nickcollura

.
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the pattern that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance should determine our youths' existence, or that the identity that society has assigned them will be their one-dimensional reality. Art Start believes that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to explore, design, and imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.#seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm

“See me because I am a thoughtful, good-hearted and hard-working guy who is always there for my friends.”

- Mario, Age 16

Picture #1 📸 @zstertz
Picture #2 📸 @kenpao
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.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the pattern that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance should determine our youths' existence, or that the identity that society has assigned them will be their one-dimensional reality. Art Start believes that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to explore, design, and imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.#seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm

“See me because I am a thoughtful, good-hearted and hard-working guy who is always there for my friends.”

- Mario, Age 16

Picture #1 📸 @zstertz
Picture #2 📸 @kenpao
.
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the pattern that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance should determine our youths' existence, or that the identity that society has assigned them will be their one-dimensional reality. Art Start believes that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to explore, design, and imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.#seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm

“See me because, I am kind, truthful and I am a useful person.”

-Lenard, Age 14

Picture #1 📸 @zstertz
Picture #2 📸 @heidi_gutman
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.
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The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the pattern that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance should determine our youths' existence, or that the identity that society has assigned them will be their one-dimensional reality. Art Start believes that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to explore, design, and imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.#seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm

“See me because, I am kind, truthful and I am a useful person.”

-Lenard, Age 14

Picture #1 📸 @zstertz
Picture #2 📸 @heidi_gutman
.
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the pattern that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance should determine our youths' existence, or that the identity that society has assigned them will be their one-dimensional reality. Art Start believes that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to explore, design, and imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.#seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm

See Me Because: “I have a profound impact on others. You never know what people are going through and if you smile at them, it can go a long way to help change something for them.” -

Khalil, Age 17

Picture #1 📸 @zstertz
Picture #2 📸 @zstertz .
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the belief that the future will simply be a continuation of the past, or that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance determine our youths' existence. We believe that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to design and re-imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other. #seemenecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm #swipeleft

See Me Because: “I have a profound impact on others. You never know what people are going through and if you smile at them, it can go a long way to help change something for them.” -

Khalil, Age 17

Picture #1 📸 @zstertz
Picture #2 📸 @zstertz .
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the belief that the future will simply be a continuation of the past, or that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance determine our youths' existence. We believe that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to design and re-imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other. #seemenecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm #swipeleft

See me because I want to inspire everybody out there that thinks that they don’t have nothing in life. I want to really just get into their head and just inspire them."

-Raphy, Age 19

Picture #1 📸 @zstertz
Picture #2 📸 @maryellenmatthewsnyc
.
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the belief that the future will simply be a continuation of the past, or that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance determine our youths' existence. We believe that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to design and re-imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other. #seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm

See me because I want to inspire everybody out there that thinks that they don’t have nothing in life. I want to really just get into their head and just inspire them."

-Raphy, Age 19

Picture #1 📸 @zstertz
Picture #2 📸 @maryellenmatthewsnyc
.
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the belief that the future will simply be a continuation of the past, or that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance determine our youths' existence. We believe that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to design and re-imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other. #seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm

See me because I want to spread the message to all Black people to know that we are more than just what people say we are.
We can be
whatever we want. " - Amir, Age 13

Picture #1 📸 @zstertz
Picture #2 📸 @nbrasington .
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the belief that the future will simply be a continuation of the past, or that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance determine our youths' existence. We believe that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to design and re-imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other. #seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm

See me because I want to spread the message to all Black people to know that we are more than just what people say we are.
We can be
whatever we want. " - Amir, Age 13

Picture #1 📸 @zstertz
Picture #2 📸 @nbrasington .
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the belief that the future will simply be a continuation of the past, or that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance determine our youths' existence. We believe that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to design and re-imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other. #seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm

“See Me Because: I am a role model and someone who is always there for people in need.” - Jah’nair, Age 13
Picture #1 📸 @zstertz
Picture #2 📸 @thevallenalexander .
.
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the belief that the future will simply be a continuation of the past, or that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance determine our youths' existence. We believe that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to design and re-imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other. #seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm

“See Me Because: I am a role model and someone who is always there for people in need.” - Jah’nair, Age 13
Picture #1 📸 @zstertz
Picture #2 📸 @thevallenalexander .
.
.
.
The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the belief that the future will simply be a continuation of the past, or that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance determine our youths' existence. We believe that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to design and re-imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other. #seemebecause #artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #changethenarrative #breakthesilence #aspp#blm

“See me because I want to leave a mark on this world, a positive one." - Omarion, Age 14 .#Swipeleft
📸 @nick.collura .
.

The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the belief that the future will simply be a continuation of the past, or that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance determine our youths' existence. We believe that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to design and re-imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.
#artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #breakthesilence #aspp #BLMA #blm

“See me because I want to leave a mark on this world, a positive one." - Omarion, Age 14 .#Swipeleft
📸 @nick.collura .
.

The Art Start Portrait Project challenges the belief that the future will simply be a continuation of the past, or that stereotypes, statistics, and circumstance determine our youths' existence. We believe that each individual has an autonomous and creative spirit which is inherently healing and liberating. With the freedom to design and re-imagine oneself, the courage to believe, and access to the resources to create, we can profoundly transform how we identify and how we interact with our lives, futures, and each other.
#artsaveslives #blacklivesmatter #breakthesilence #aspp #BLMA #blm