Gerry Florida, Award-Winning-Artist, and Social-Justice-Advocate will discuss the creation of Studio Blue, a resident-run art space within the confines of a detention setting that uses art and the creative power of residents to inspire communities. Studio Blue created cutting-edge projects reaching thousands and changing delinquency stereotypes so that youth faced fewer challenges when mainstreaming back into their neighborhoods. In 2021 Shuman Juvenile Detention Center closed its doors after 45 years serving Pennsylvania. Adelphoi, a nonprofit agency that has served Allegheny County youth for over 50 years, reopened the program as Highland Detention at Shuman located in the same Lincoln Lemington area of Pittsburgh. Gerry joined Adelphoi in January 2025 to revive the “Why Art” initiative where resident artwork is exhibited on the rear of city buses. Karyn Pratt, VP of Marketing, will join the conversation with an update on the Center and how its youth are benefiting from arts programming.
((Gerry Florida - Monday - Zoom))
