Presented through a partnership between Doña Ana County’s Health and Human Services Department and Creative Kids, the exhibit features artwork produced as part of Creative Kids’ Transformative Art Program.
By Levi Gwaltney for Las Cruces Digest
Source: Doña Ana County
Photos: Courtesy Doña Ana County Government (via Facebook)
Artwork created by youth at the Doña Ana County Juvenile Detention Center will take center stage this week as Doña Ana County invites the public to experience Heart & Color, an exhibit celebrating creativity, resilience and personal growth.
Presented through a partnership between Doña Ana County’s Health and Human Services Department and Creative Kids, the exhibit features artwork produced as part of Creative Kids’ Transformative Art Program. The initiative is funded through a grant from the New Mexico Department of Health’s Violence Intervention Fund and uses artistic expression to help young people develop confidence, process personal experiences and envision positive futures.
Photos of the August 7 reception (Courtesy Doña Ana County Government via Facebook)
A public reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at the Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 N. Motel Blvd. in Las Cruces. The exhibit will remain on display through Friday, Aug. 14, and may be viewed from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, on the building’s first floor.
According to Creative Kids, the program is built on the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to be seen, heard, supported and inspired. Through a series of guided workshops, participants are encouraged to explore their identities, recognize their strengths and develop a more positive outlook through creative expression.
Organizers say the program provides a safe and supportive environment where youth can better understand themselves, their community and the world around them while building tools and confidence that extend beyond their time at the detention center.
The artwork on display reflects each participant’s individual experiences and perspectives while demonstrating how art can become a pathway for self-discovery and rehabilitation.
“Our partnership with Creative Kids gives youth involved in the justice system a safe, healing space to express themselves through art,” Doña Ana County Health and Human Services Director Jamie Michael said. “Programs like this help strengthen emotional regulation and support rehabilitation. By sharing their artwork with the public, these youth receive powerful affirmation from their families and the community, helping reduce stigma and build hope for their futures.”
Creative Kids said the exhibit represents more than finished artwork—it reflects the impact of a program designed to help young people discover their potential through creativity and connection.
“We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to be seen, heard, supported and inspired,” the organization said. “Through creativity and connection, youth are encouraged to better understand themselves, their community and the world around them while gaining the tools and confidence they need to create a successful future beyond the walls of the Detention Center.”
By opening the exhibit to the public, organizers hope the community will not only appreciate the artwork itself, but also gain a deeper understanding of the role creative programs can play in supporting rehabilitation, reducing stigma and encouraging brighter futures for local youth.
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