Planting a Seed

By Austin “AUZ” Miles, ART 180 program leader

ART 180 asked 20 past and present program leaders to showcase their work on all 160 GRTC buses, and I was one of the chosen ones. So many people ride GRTC every day. So many eyes will be taking in these pieces of art, learning about the artists who created them; and I am one of them. Being new to the ART 180 family, I was a program leader during the spring and summer of this year with Atlas. I feel so honored to be selected to represent ART 180, celebrating their 20 years of excellence.

My painting featured in their anniversary show features a young female bull consumed with passion, heading toward her future, yet looking back and admiring the lessons learned and experiences that propelled her to where she came to be. I chose to include this particular painting, titled Self Portrait, because it marks a beginning for me. It marks the commencement of my painting career. This painting was a turning point, that showed me a future as an artist really was possible.

Originally from Durham, North Carolina, I moved to Richmond in 2012 in pursuit of an “art life”, yet not knowing what that meant or what it entailed. It wasn't until the fall of 2016, with the creation of Self Portrait, that I began to feel that I had taken my journey down the right path.

One of my favorite things about being a part of ART 180 is having the opportunity to make a difference in the community. As program leaders we have a chance to teach young people and to be a positive, creative figure in their lives, even if for short period of time. Having my work on those GRTC buses extends that period of time. My hopes are that there is a young person, who gets on those buses everyday, looking forward to seeing which pieces of art are going to be displayed.

There are individuals who may never have heard of ART 180. Individuals who may want to be an artist, like me only a few years ago, and haven’t realized how to make it realistically possible. Then they step onto the bus, and are exposed to a Richmond artist who is sharing their story. Those moments can make a difference; planting a seed within that can grow into a beautiful creative outlet. I am so excited to be a part of those moments, helping to plant those seeds.

We Believe in Young People

Each young person is a valuable part of our community. We promise to offer a supportive and nurturing environment, which allows our young people an opportunity to bring into being the beauty that exists within their creative spirits.

We Believe in Creative Expression

Everyone will be free to be an artist who can give birth to a masterpiece, because we recognize that innovation is the heartbeat of growth.

We Believe in Communication

We seek to provoke ideas and stimulate conversation that encourages self-awareness and expression of diverse perspectives, remove barriers of fear, create a better understanding of humanity, and illuminate hope.

We Believe in Compassion

We advocate kindness to heal division and resolve conflicts, because everyone has a right to be heard, to experience love, and to be treated with dignity and mutual respect.

We Believe in Community

We value the importance of collaborative relationships, which celebrate diversity. We recognize that by sharing together we're capable of making even greater creative contributions that can enhance the well-being and quality of life for the whole.

We Believe in Change

We embrace change as a gift that empowers young people to transform our world through creative expression. It provides opportunities to be passionately engaged in a natural process of learning, challenging complacency and discovering opportunities to live a meaningful life.