PHILADELPHIA, PA. May 7, 2002 - MYX: Multicultural Youth eXchange, a nonprofit organization, enjoyed the successful debut of the MYX Gallery, Philadelphia's first space dedicated to multicultural youth art with a focus on diversity and tolerance, last Thursday, May 2.

Among the more than 100 attendees at the reception were over three dozen African-American and Asian-American youth artists from Philadelphia, Old City artists and gallery owners and local educators. Former Mayor of Philadelphia and current Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate, Edward G. Rendell, and Pennsylvania State Representative, Marie Lederer, were also on hand to congratulate MYX co-founders Josette Bonafino and Ian Cross.

The MYX Gallery is a multimedia space exploring themes in global cultures, diversity and tolerance through the eyes of youth artists. The current exhibit entitled, "Philadelphia Fusion: Celebrating Youth Art from Philadelphia's Cultural Centers," features more than 20 works produced by local youth artists from the Village of Arts and Humanities, Taller Puertorriqueño, Philadelphia Mural Arts and the Asian Arts Initiative.

One highlight of the current exhibit is a colorful, seven-panel wood mural created by 17 students from the Village. The students were presented with the theme "Song of The Wounded Earth" and left to draw their own interpretations of this topic, each individual drawing upon the designs of the others. The unique collaborative process challenged these students to explore personal experience with their wounded world and to accept each other's ideas. The resulting work poignantly addresses heady topics including pollution, alcoholism, street crime and rape.

"I've always encouraged my students to do more than just paint pretty flowers," commented former teacher, Jean Cross, here in Philadelphia on a visit from the UK. "Of course, there's a time and place for that, but I feel it's more important to let children speak out on their observations of the world."

Other notable works include "El Difunto," a somber 9/11 tribute created by Hispanic youth artists from Taller Puertorriqueño, and an untitled colored pencil drawing by 10th grade Chinese American artist, Fernando Wu. His work traces his family's escape from Japanese oppression in the 1940's through to their life in America today.

In addition to showcasing youth art, the MYX Gallery also functions as a meeting space for teachers and community leaders wishing to conduct multicultural workshops, screenings and lectures for local and visiting students.

The MYX Gallery is located at 110 Church Street in Old City, Philadelphia and is open Wednesday - Friday, 12 PM - 5 PM, on First Fridays and by appointment. The current exhibit, sponsored by I-SITE, a leading provider of strategic interactive solutions for a number of the world's leading healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, runs through July 19.

ABOUT MYX
MYX: Multicultural Youth exchange [www.myxworld.org] is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit dedicated to facilitating cross-cultural communication among youth around the world through technology and the arts.

MYX was formed in direct response to the tragedies of September 11, 2001 in order to promote global tolerance.