Yvonne Shortt facts for kids

Yvonne Shortt (born December 5, 1972, in Queens, New York) is an amazing African American artist. She creates art that makes people think and ask questions. Yvonne is also visually impaired, which means she has trouble seeing.

Her art includes many different types, like drawings, sculptures, paintings, and photos. You can see her work in museums and parks all over New York City. Yvonne's art often explores big ideas like how we can live in a way that helps the planet, how everyone should be treated equally, and how communities can work together.

A special film by the New York Times shared her story. It said that Yvonne used to work with computer programs for money. But after she found out she had an eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa, she decided to focus on art instead.

Learning and Art

Yvonne Shortt studied a lot! She earned a Master of Science degree in Mathematics from New York University.

Cool Art Projects

Be The Museum

In 2022, Yvonne started a new idea called "Be The Museum." She believes that every artist can be their own museum. This means artists can decide what a museum is and how it works. It's a way for artists and communities to take back the idea of a museum. They want to make art more about people and less about money.

Elmhurst Sculpture Garden

In 2017, Yvonne helped create the Elmhurst Sculpture Garden. It was once an old, empty parking lot in Elmhurst, New York. She worked with local volunteers and other artists to turn it into a beautiful garden.

The garden grew even bigger with help from grants. These grants came from groups like Burning Man and the National Endowment of the Arts. Yvonne leads the garden, and it's a place where artists can show their work. It also helps them learn how to get money to make public spaces better in their own neighborhoods.

African American Marbleization

Since 2016, Yvonne has been making a series of sculptures called "African American Marbleization." These are special sculptures that she places outdoors. Yvonne created them to speak out against unfairness and racism that African Americans have faced in art, history, and her country.

The sculptures are made from marble dust. Some are small pieces placed on walls or other concrete structures. Others are busts (sculptures of a person's head and shoulders) that she often puts with natural things like water, wood, or earth.

Art for Everyone

Peppermint Pieces and Waking Blind

In 2018, Yvonne made two art pieces inspired by her eye condition, retinitis pigmentosa. One of her outdoor art pieces, Peppermint Pieces, was chosen to be shown in a special art program. This program helps bring art to parks in New York City.

Peppermint Pieces is a large art piece made from wood and aluminum. You can see it in Captain Tilly Park in Jamaica. Yvonne's other sculpture, Waking Blind, is made of cement. It is also inspired by her vision and is displayed in the Elmhurst Sculpture Garden.

Pavilion Landing

Yvonne also received a grant in 2019 to create art for Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. The theme was "A Park for the Future." She was inspired by the 1964-65 New York World's Fair.

Yvonne created the sculpture Pavilion Landing with help from park visitors and community members. They worked together during several art sessions. The sculpture shows lost space children. It is on display at the David Dinkins Circle in the park.

Rigged?

In 2018, a group called Friends of MacDonald Park asked Yvonne to create an outdoor art piece. They wanted it to talk about how political and social systems work in the United States. This led to her creating the piece called Rigged?.

This art piece is like a maze. It also has cement rabbits and carrots. People can give their ideas about the piece, and Yvonne updates it based on what they say.

Women Who Build - Artists Who Own

In 2016, Yvonne led a project to look at the role of women in the construction world. She wanted to see if women were involved enough. She received money from different groups to help with this project.

The first part of the project was a series of workshops. More than 100 women learned basic building skills and how to use tools. This part ended with them building a tiny house on wheels! It is now used as a tea and zen garden.

In the second part, Yvonne asked 13 artists to create art. These art pieces were interactive, meaning people could join in. They helped people talk about the challenge of finding homes in New York City. The art included performances, embroidery, and photos. All of these art pieces were shown in an exhibit called Dwelling at the Queens Museum.

RPGA Studio, Inc.

In 2009, Yvonne started an art group called Rego Park Green Alliance. This group helps communities in Queens learn about important issues. RPGA Studio, Inc. became a non-profit organization in 2015. It has received many grants and awards to help with its work.