Loyal Devotion started his journey as an artist, doodling on his schoolwork while a sixth grader at Neal Math and Science Academy middle school in North Chicago. He liked what he saw and, a year later, was selling his artwork at a table on Genesee Street in downtown Waukegan.
Deanna Cruz, the founder of the Dandelion Gallery in Waukegan, said when Devotion was in seventh grade, he walked into the gallery with some of his artwork. He wanted to show the artists there what he can do.
“He walked into the gallery and introduced himself,” Cruz said. “He was only a kid when he came through the door, but he put himself out there. It’s one thing to say you want to sketch, but it’s something else to create art and follow their journey. He became part of our community.”
After completing his freshman year at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan last spring, where he could not take an art class until he was a junior, Devotion is now a sophomore — and a Daniel Murphy Scholar– at Beacon Academy in Evanston.
“It’s pretty cool,” Devotion said of both the art and academic training. “I can do my art in the annex, and they have all the tools I need.”
Devotion is one of 43 artists whose work is on display during the fourth-annual Youth Art Exhibition continuing through Feb. 14 at the Dandelion Gallery in Waukegan, showing the work of artists between the ages of 3 and 18.
Cruz said the show opened Jan. 17, when each artist had the opportunity to talk about their entries. There were also music and dance performances. Some of the artists did their work at the gallery while others came from schools and other area organizations.
“We want to show the creativity, the voice and the talent of these young people in a safe space amongst the community,” Cruz said. “This is a way to support our youth and make them feel empowered where their talent is seen and celebrated.”
Though Devotion did not take an art class while at Cristo Rey, he had a part-time job — all students there do to become comfortable in a workplace and earn money toward their education. He worked one day a week at Kids Rank, a not-for-profit helping military children.
Part of Devotion’s duties was graphic design. He also had the opportunity to work there over the summer at a camp for the youngsters. He put his talent to work helping the campers with projects.
Some of the youngest artists came from Tim Flynn’s first-grade art class at Most Blessed Trinity Academy in Waukegan. He provided them with cutouts to make collages. There were 15 entries.
“They’re free,” Flynn said of his first-grade students. “The older kids become too self-aware. I want the kids to know there are art shows and have this experience. What they did was open and refreshing.”
Sachi Kamath, a third grader in Vernon Hills, participated in the art show for the third time. This time, she said she organized members of her Girl Scout troop so they could enter as a group, with each one contributing their own creation.
Using plaster and paint, Sachi said each of the eight scouts created something that represented a different part of the world, showing how the Earth and the universe look to them.
“I felt excited to show my work,” Sachi said, “At first I was nervous, but I became more comfortable once I started my speech.”
Theresa Fontana, an art teacher at Deer Path Middle School in Lake Forest, said she wanted to give her students an opportunity to experience an art show with their work on display. They could paint a dream treehouse or the ultimate concept car among their assignments, and 15 were selected.
“The kids were really excited to show their creations,” Fontanna said. “I wanted to give them the experience of showing their art like real artists in a professional gallery. They got to make an artist’s statement to people in the audience.”
