BOULDER.- The Studio Project, developed by the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art along with local high school students, hosts events and programs to facilitate teen-led collaboration exploring contemporary art and surrounding social issues. The Youth Art Advisory Internship program, as part of The Studio Project, is a dynamic opportunity for high school students to design museum teen programs, work with art exhibits, and learn about behind-the-scenes museum life.

For their fall assignment, teen interns worked extensively with exhibiting artist Erika Wanenmacher. A dynamic multi-media sculptor who explores the conflict between the natural world, science, and culture, Wanenmacher focuses largely on New Mexico’s atomic sites and the aftermath of government experiments run from 1940 through 1970. The Youth Art Advisory Interns witnessed and participated in the installation of Wanenmacher’s current exhibit at the museum, and also talked with Erika about her artistic process, her inspirations, and the history of zines (teen interviews can be heard at bmoca.org/education under The Studio Project). A practicing artist for over 30 years, Wanenmacher routinely publishes zines (a self-published, Do-It-Yourself magazine) to accompany her exhibits.

The teen interns were enamored with Wanenmacher's zine process, and their discovery of the world of zines in general. The group, facilitated by the museum’s Director of Education, Ashley Mask Harris, proceeded to develop and publish their own group zine, as part of their internship experience. They spent weeks determining the format and content of their zine. The experience of working closely with a practicing artist has positively impacted the teen interns and inspired all participants. "The moment she began to explain her visions, her ideas, and her life, we knew we'd just met an incredibly interesting and generous individual. She took the time to share her instinct and vast knowledge with us, and to get to know us," says Laura Somenzi, Boulder High Student and BMoCA Youth Art Advisory Intern.

The resulting teen-published zine is titled "The Reincarnation of Our Radioactive Brains." The title reflects the many facets the BMoCA teen interns explored during its creation: art, music, politics, science, even muffin recipes. This has been a great opportunity for 11 high school students from the Boulder community, representing 5 local schools, to explore contemporary art, learn the ropes of developing and marketing a DIY (do-it-yourself) art magazine, and work together to create an artistically-focused, museum outreach effort.

The Reincarnation of Our Radioactive Brains will debut at a zine release party at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art on Friday, November 14, 7–10pm. This event is FREE and open to high school students. It will feature live music, food, and a teen-designed art exhibit offering insight into the creation of a zine.