The Queens Teens Institute for Art and Social Justice (QTI) nurtures thoughtful, independent Queens-based young artists and the next generation of leaders in the field of arts and culture. 

Liberating Our Truth was developed after many months of thought-provoking conversations among QTI’s Leadership Cohort, rooted in the ways art can create social change. 

The idea of “liberating their truth” came from Amelia Kovtun, QTI Leadership Cohort member, during a discussion on how historical truths are intentionally withheld from youth by older generations. The works presented in this exhibition express the ways in which these teens liberate themselves through art.

QTI 2023 Leadership Cohort

• Bukunmi Alalade
• Aneesah Allen
• Srimon Anida
• Diane Arroyo
• Charlize Blake
• Skyler Chouloute
• Taliya Coleman
• Shayla Colon
• Makeda Fox
• Loralai Galeano
• Tahreem Ijaz
• Celina Johnson
• Amelia Kovtun
• Alana Lawrence
• Ava Lederman
• Insiya Mamun
• Kelly Ojeda
• Pimada Phongsuriya
• Danya Ramirez
• Alicia Reymus
• Makayla Simpson
• Vic Watson

Liberating Our Truth is organized by Kimaada Le Gendre, Director of Education, and Erica-Ashley Gittens, Education Assistant, with support from the Queens Museum Exhibitions and Programs department.