Hot Couch open house to display teen talent

By Felicia Menard
HippoPress.com

The Hot Couch Teen Arts Center, the after school drop-in center where teens can hang out and become involved in art related activities, will hold an Open House and Art Show on Thursday, May 15 from 4-8 p.m.

Up and running for three years, the Elm Street space feels like a working art center. The tables to the right of the door are stocked with assorted art materials. The famous Hot Couch, painted in vibrant red acrylic, sits on a 1950s kitchen table. Gray industrial carpet has seen better days.

Jennifer Soldati has been director of the Center since October. Her enthusiasm is palpable as she introduces me to several teens and their works of art.

Soldati raises up a small-scale painting and a lovely colored pencil drawing.

"This painting is great," she says. "This was painted by a young man named Bob. He's only been coming here for about a month. It's about his friend who is very important to him."

The painting possesses a mystical message in a frank, naïve style. It is a cityscape with the addition of a figure with a golden halo encircling his head. I immediately want to see more of Bob's work. He possesses an ability to tell his story within his strong, straightforward expressive style.

Christine Hayward's colored pencil drawing is a realistic rendition of a striped man's shirt and tie. Hayward is a gifted young artist-it is early to be thinking about college, but I ask her about art school.

"Yes, I'm thinking of looking into Boston," she says. "It's something I'm interested in."

Soldati rummages through a huge cardboard box and begins pulling out and displaying Zared O'Hora's artwork. She says he is a future goldmine. O'Hora is indeed prolific. His numerous works on cardboard are filled with alternating messages of hope and despair. He knows he has something to say, but I won't be able to get it out of him. He would much rather paint a picture than use words.

"I have a hard time putting things into words. I'd rather use images," he says. "I kind of have high standards (for my artwork). My whole family is artistic. My brother just got his degree at California College of Arts and Crafts in Berkeley. I'm the youngest, so I compare myself to all of them. I question my ability and style. I know my brother and I have similar styles. I've been exposed to so much that it becomes a part of me."

Soldati pulls out a vivid self-portrait full of O'Hora's emotions.

"Oh, I hate that one. Don't show it!" he says.
I ask O'Hora to describe his work.

"I guess it's cartoonish-slash-abstract. I can't really categorize it," he says.

I ask him what he was thinking when he painted the reclining figure with the needle stuck in his arm.

"I was thinking about being stressed," he says. "It's about heroin, and my curiosity about it. I paint most of my paintings in a bad mood."

In contrast to his words, the expression on the figure's face conveys a powerful anti-drug message.

The Hot Couch Art Center is about respect, self-esteem and making powerful, amazing art in a nurturing, creative environment, says Soldati.

The Art of Youth Art Show exhibit and Open House at Hot Couch Teen Arts Center will take place Thursday, May 15, from 4 to 8 p.m. The center is located at 972 Elm St. Call 622-2654 for more information.

Felicia Menard can be reached at hippo@hippopress.com