Inspiring Freedom and Unity.

My name is Ayaan Dhruv, in 7th grade at the Nueva School, and I had the privilege of working with Justice Vanguard for the Juneteenth Festival. I am deeply interested in justice, and last December, my sister and I created an initiative called Poetry on Windows, where we displayed environmental poetry on shop windows in Los Altos Downtown.

My new partnership with Justice Vanguard for the Juneteenth Festival was an art booth, where people could create art, when then would be hung up in downtowns throughout the Bay Area. During the festival, there were prompts that made people think about community, equality, freedom, and unity, which could be portrayed through drawings. There were people of all ages, from little kids coloring in a Freedom drawing, to adults thinking about how to portray community on a blank canvas. 

Juneteenth art celebrates freedom and expresses Black historical and cultural pride, showcasing the richness and resilience of Black communities. It fosters unity, identity, and celebrates the diversity and creativity emerging from the Black experience, while also serving as a catalyst for change, challenging norms, and inspiring collective action towards an inclusive and equitable society.

In retrospect, this journey leading up to the Juneteenth Art Fair was not just about art. It was about unity, education, and celebration. It showcased the power of creativity to connect communities, raise awareness, and inspire dialogue. The experience taught me the importance of collaboration, as I worked hand in hand to bring this collective vision to life.