For the first time since the pandemic, the La Plata Youth Services youth art event, Unchain my heART, was held in-person at Create Art and Tea! The event was a fantastic showcase of youth voices expressed through artistic representations. The atmosphere was joyous and celebratory and demonstrated the community's investment in youth individuals in La Plata County.

The main highlight of this event was the nearly 80 art submissions, ranging from digital to resin to spray paint art pieces. Many of these emanated from four FREE art workshops that LPYS held in Durango and Ignacio in partnership with local artists including Katie Drobney, Tatyana Trujillo, and Kasey Correia with Dancing Spirit.

Other highlights from the event included youth musicians from our partnership with iAM MUSIC displaying their talent and April's Garden providing beautiful flower arrangements. Local restaurants, including Bread, Eolus, Fired Up Pizza, Durango Natural Foods, and both City Markets donated food for the event. LPYS also held a silent auction that raised $1,200 for youth and consisted of generous contributions from local establishments including Animas Chocolate CO, Maria's Bookshop, Pine Needle Mountaineering and Dry Goods, Studio &, Renee Cornue Studio, Durango Joes, Pet Haus, Carvers, Ska Brewing, Gardenswartz, Durango Tool Library, Gravity Lab Climbing Gym, among others...so many to name!

We couldn't have put on this event without our corporate sponsors who donated a total of $3,500 and to whom we are extremely grateful including Alpine Bank, Connect for Health Colorado, the Wells Group, Zia Taqueria, LPEA, and Durango Motor Company. 

Lastly, LPYS staff and interns devoted so much of their time and worked tirelessly to ensure the event's success, as well as party planning savant, Bridget Doherty! LPYS is blessed to have such a fantastic team!

We look forward to building upon the success of this year's event and bringing this energy into 2024. LPYS is proud of our community's focus on supporting healthy youth development and we are deeply appreciative to call La Plata County my home. Thank you all for contributing to the success of this incredible event!

Return To Blog