Description
Created and led by writer, activist, and retired teacher, Jerri Jereat, Youth Imagine the Future (YIF) is a festival of solarpunk writing and art with a mission of amplifying youth voices regarding the climate crisis, and encourage them to envision a sustainable, equitable society without fossil fuels, and with biodiversity being restored. Jerri and other volunteers give free one-hour workshops in all high schools and grade 7 and 8 classes in the LDSB and ALCDSB regions each September. Submissions open in October to turn in a solarpunk fictional story or piece of art to illustrate a believable better future. That closes November 1st to give jurors time to read and admire the works before the festival begins in December. A beautiful and inspiring display of youth art and stories is exhibited at Kingston School of Art for two weeks each December, culminating in an awards gala, at the Central Branch Library in Kingston in mid-December.
Afterward, Jerri creates a “travelling show” as she fills shop windows (like Novel idea and Minotaur) with some of the art and quotes from stories. The travelling show keeps the conversation alive in the community, prompting viewers to reflect on the future we are leaving behind for youth and the brilliant ideas those young minds have for turning things around. This June 2024, many of the YIF authors and artists were also involved in Home Sweet Home at the Union Gallery, an amazing exhibition inspired by YIF and curated by Re Parsons of Queen’s University.
The Role of Stories and Art in Activism
Jerri began YIF in January of 2022 after retiring from teaching and searching for new ways to channel her energy and desire to change the world. The idea for a solarpunk writing “contest” emerged after participating in the international Grist Magazine Climate Fiction contest and then reading more about the rise of Climate Anxiety among youth (Lakefield U & Simon Fraser University studies). She wanted to help turn youth’s focus toward solutions for a better future.
Solarpunk is a genre of art and literature that envisions a sustainable future and shows us that the first step to making a better world is to imagine it. Creating and sharing art is empowering and therapeutic alone, but when done through the lens of imagining a sustainable, just future, the positive impact is augmented by tenfold.
Constituents and Collaboration
The Youth Imagine the Future team is a group of dedicated volunteers, many of whom are/were educators, who share a passion for climate action and empowering youth to make a difference, especially through the arts. Jerri Jerreat is joined by keen volunteers such as her best friend, Nikki Alward, and her husband Walt Sepic who is a retired outdoor educator, along with 2 professors, and others to put together the incredible festival that is Youth Imagine the Future. Board members were invited to join by volunteer members of the first Writing and Art Juries.
There is no formal screening process to join the YIF board, and the only requirements are to care about climate action and work respectfully with others. Anyone interested in volunteering with YIF is encouraged to check out the website, and is more than welcome to reach out using the contact information below. Roles include Youth Ambassador, Reading Juror, Art Juror, Workshop Facilitator, administrative help and more.
YIF is gratefully sponsored by the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University, The Community Foundation for Kingston & Area, Providence Centre for Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation, the Kingston Community Credit Union, 350 Kingston, and a Pivot Green award for "Youth Climate Action" across Canada. Local businesses also donate awards for the talented youth artists and authors.
Free Workshops
Starting in September, YIF volunteers give free 1-hour workshops at secondary and intermediate schools if invited, providing information about the festival, and inspiration of green technology and nature-based innovations they might later incorporate into their submissions. A retired teacher herself, Jerri expressed that “you have to meet a teacher who’s on the same path about understanding what’s happening with the world and wanting to make a difference in their students' lives.” There are currently 3 YIF youth ambassadors, two of whom are in the current CSYO cohort, who have been searching for teachers like these to book YIF workshops for the coming September. Generous prizes are awarded to the authors/artists of the winning submissions, but the real reward is connecting with a wonderful community of fellow artists, authors, activists, and nature-lovers.
Accomplishments
Jerri Jereat described her imagery of the festival’s impact as a quiet but influential wind of change that whispers into conversations and travels through the community. What makes YIF so effective at touching minds and hearts and prompting reflections on climate justice is the powerful combination of youth and art. With many years’ experience as a teacher, Jerri expressed that kids tend to be more open-minded and creative, and supporting them as artists and activists is a way of planting seeds that will flourish and help to create a better world.
Thoughts on Fractures
Everyone has their own point of view and is entitled to their own opinion. This, along with the importance of communicating respectfully and maturely despite opposing views, was conveyed when Jerri was asked about fractures and conflict in the activist community. Burning bridges and protecting our egos will only inhibit the success of grassroots movements for justice, and dilute the joy of working together to make change. She did mention that strong, overpowering personalities can sometimes pose challenges in organizations as they tend to dominate the space and prevent everyone’s voices from being heard. From experiences in various organizations, Jerri spoke about learning from mistakes how to coexist and cooperate more harmoniously in the activist community. When disagreements do occur, it’s essential to stay rooted in the causes that bring people together in the first place, and remind ourselves that we all share a common goal of making positive change.
What’s the Point?
In response to this perplexing, philosophical question, Jerri said: “I believe that we have a chance, that we can get through this if we work together.” Like CSYO and many of the activist groups we’ve interviewed, YIF believes in the power of grassroots movements and, in Jerri’s words, “reaching out–one human at a time”. What better way to change people’s minds, touch their hearts, build community, and reconnect ourselves to the Earth than through art and storytelling?
Social Media/ Contact Info
Website: https://youthimaginethefuture.com/
X: @YouthImagFuture
Instagram: @youthimaginethefuture
FB: Youth Imagine the Future Festival
Email: youthimaginefuture@gmail.com
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