Autumn de Forest Inspires Kids at the LeRoy Neiman Art Center
Artistic prodigy Autumn de Forest knows better than most how exposure to art at a young age can positively impact a child, which is why she contributed her time and talents to the Art Horizons LeRoy Neiman Art Center.
Autumn de Forest at the LeRoy Neiman Art Center (Photo courtesy of Carole Sorrell)
The center held the “Autumn de Forest: Selected Works” exhibition from December 2, 2016 to January 31, 2017. The LeRoy Neiman Art Center in Harlem is a community-based arts center serving young people and families in need. Renowned artist LeRoy Neiman established the center with Arts Horizons.
“This exhibition is a reflection of our vision to continue Mr. Neiman’s legacy and to affirm our commitment that when children are exposed to art at an early age, it can be a game changer,” LeRoy Neiman Art Center Executive Director and Curator Marline A. Martin said.
Autumn speaks with visitors at the LeRoy Neiman Art Center (Photo courtesy of Carole Sorrell)
Autumn, now 15, began painting at the age of 5 debuting her work a year later. Her career has skyrocketed since. Autumn recently held a solo exhibition at the Butler Institute for American Art in Youngstown, Ohio and in 2015 was the recipient of the International Giuseppe Sciacca Award for Painting and Art for her art and humanitarian efforts.
The artist led two master classes teaching kids and young adults in Harlem on how to create self portraits. Autumn holds similar art lessons in schools across the nation as a member of the Turnaround Arts program.
“It’s an honor to be able to see an epiphany arise in their eyes when they start to finish the piece,” Autumn says.
The artwork donated to the LeRoy Neiman Art Center by Autumn and the Park West Foundation (Photo courtesy of Carole Sorrell)
Autumn and the Park West Foundation donated a work of her art to the LeRoy Neiman Art Center for auction. Proceeds from the auction benefitted the center.
“Autumn is a young artist and philanthropist and serves as an excellent example that having the opportunity to embrace the arts at an early can help you to do extraordinary things,” Martin said.
