Harlem Teen Will Have Art Displayed At Whitney Museum

HARLEM, NY — Harlem teen Annabell Colon soon will join the very small group of people who can say they had their art displayed in the world-famous Whitney Museum before the age of 18.

A graduation celebration and ceremony for Whitney's Youth Insights program will take place on Wednesday. The one-night-only art exhibition within the museum will include Colon's art.

Colon, 17, has been taking part in highly competitive 12-week after-school program that connects 50 New York City teens with art and culture in a museum environment.

"Growing up as a Hispanic minority, I went through a lot of struggles throughout my childhood, especially since it was just me and my mom for the most part," Colon said about her upbringing and connection with the arts.

"We moved around a lot because of it and so it was hard for me to build connections with others my age but I was fortunate enough to find that connection through the expression of art!"

"I was overjoyed by the fact that I got in (to the Whitney program) that I immediately ran to my family and proudly showed it to them," she continued. "Now being a student in the program for the past few weeks have really brought a wave of confidence over me, especially when communicating to my peers and speaking out as a group."

The free after-school program, now in its 26th year, placed the teenagers alongside working artists that were on exhibit at the Whitney during the 12 weeks.