R.I.S.E. Fest
INAUGURAL R.I.S.E. FEST HONORS LOCAL AND INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED YOUTH ART AND LITERATURE THIS APRIL IN NORTHAMPTON
Bestselling authors and illustrators will join young area artists at this community celebration and showcase dedicated to uplifting the mental health benefits of art in all mediums.
Two days of artistic workshops, panels, performances, and creative connection await area youth this April 18 and 19, 2025, at the first-ever R.I.S.E. Fest at @33 Hawley.
An acronym for Resilience in Self Expression, R.I.S.E. Fest is co-founded by Expressive Arts Educator Gina M. Krosoczka and Jarrett J. Krosoczka, a New York Times-bestselling graphic novelist behind 46 published books.
“Northampton is known for its flourishing art community and the collection of artists of all mediums who have congregated in town because of like-minded people,” says resident Jarrett J. Krosoczka, who was a National Book Award finalist for his graphic memoir Hey, Kiddo. The frequently challenged book details his childhood embracing art as a means to cope with his mother's opioid use disorder and incarceration. Krosoczka, also a highly sought-after speaker, has championed the arts in three TED Talks, which have garnered millions of views. “Valuing our town's Youth and their artistic abilities, talent, and potential is one of the kindest and most generous favors we can do for their mental health,” he says.
His R.I.S.E. Fest co-founder and wife Gina M. Krosoczka, who holds an MA in Psychology and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Expressive Arts, sees firsthand the value of creative expression among young people. “Art of all mediums has been scientifically proven to increase self-esteem, foster community and connection, and process emotions, feelings, trauma, and so much more,” she says."We know that this has a profound impact on mental health—enhancing
self-esteem, uplifting mood, serving as an excellent coping strategy, and much more. It’s important to emphasize that no ‘talent’ or ‘artist’ label is needed to enjoy these benefits." “By celebrating and showcasing our children's work, we raise their voices and display our commitment to their wellness and much-needed place in our community,” says Gina.
R.I.S.E. Fest will include two days of main stage and workshop programming: Friday, April 18, will focus on teen art and artists, while Saturday, April 19, will be dedicated to children through tweens.
Experiences will include:
● Presentations and signings by lauded authors and illustrators in the Young Adult, Children's, and Middle-Grade spaces, including Holly Black, Emma Hunsinger, Kyle Lukoff, Jamar Nicholas, Raúl The Third, Brian Selznick, Tillie Walden, and others.
● Performances by local youth musicians, dancers, and improvisers.
● Workshops to introduce attendees to all modalities: acting, singing, dance, visual art, writing, and video.
● A vendor room featuring a youth makers’ market and community resource area. ● An outdoor food court featuring local meal and snack vendors.
R.I.S.E. Fest is presented by the Northampton Arts Council and High Five Books.
“We cannot wait to celebrate the creativity and talent of Northampton's young artists at R.I.S.E Fest," says Brian Foote, Director of Arts and Culture of the Northampton Arts Council. Added co-founder Gina Krosoczka, "We look forward to reaching out to art groups and area schools, now and in future years, to engage with them in showcasing their work with the community!"
For up-to-date R.I.S.E. Fest details, visit: www.risefest413.org.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
The Northampton Arts Council works to support and nurture the arts in the city of Northampton. The Council awards grants twice yearly to artists and arts groups from state and locally-raised funds and seeks to improve public awareness of the arts. Its goals include maintaining and preserving Northampton's rich and diverse cultural heritage, programming annual events of interest to the community, such as First Night Northampton, Northampton Summer Concert Series, Performance, and Silver Chord Bowl, and advocating for behalf of the arts community. Visit: www.northamptonartscouncil.org
High Five Books is an independent kids’ community bookstore in downtown Florence, Massachusetts, for all families. They opened in 2019 with a collection strongly based in social justice and LGBTQIA+ themes. High Five Books is the neighborhood go-to for graphic novels, middle-grade readers, and picture books, plus art kits and other creative supplies. Visit: www.highfivebooks.org
ABOUT THE AUTHORS/ILLUSTRATORS
Holly Black is the bestselling author of contemporary fantasy novels for teens and children, including Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale and the #1 New York Times bestselling Spiderwick series. She has been a finalist for the Mythopoeic Award and the Eisner Award, and the recipient of the Andre Norton Award. Holly lives in Massachusetts with her husband, Theo, in a house with a secret library. Visit: www.blackholly.com
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Jamar Nicholas is an award-winning artist and educator who has dedicated his career to helping young people realize the power of cartooning. Jamar aims to promote anti-bullying, healing, and kindness in his work. He enjoys the 1980s, podcasting, video games, and spending time with his family and pets. Visit: www.jamarnicholas.weebly.com
Emma Hunsinger is the creator of the autobiographical comic How to Draw a Horse, which was nominated for an Eisner Award and included in the prestigious annual Cartoon Takeover print edition of the New Yorker. Emma Hunsinger graduated with an MFA from the Center for Cartoon Studies. She lives with her family in Vermont. Visit: www.emmahunsinger.com
Raúl The Third is a four-time Pura Belpre award-winning illustrator, author, and artist living in the Boston area with his wife, colorist Elaine Bay. He is the illustrator of the critically acclaimed Low Riders in Space series and the World of ¡Vamos! books. His work centers around the contemporary Mexican American experience and his memories of growing up in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Visit: www.raulthethird.com
Tillie Walden is a cartoonist and illustrator from Austin, Texas. She is a graduate of the Center for Cartoon Studies, where she now teaches. She has published many graphic novels, including her Eisner Award-winning memoir Spinning. She lives in Vermont with her family. Visit: www.tilliewalden.com
Kyle Lukoff is the author of many books for young readers. His debut middle-grade novel, Too Bright to See, received a Newbery Honor, the Stonewall award, and was a National Book Award finalist. His picture book When Aidan Became a Brother also won the Stonewall. He has forthcoming books about mermaids, babies, apologies, and lots of other topics. While becoming a writer he worked as a bookseller for ten years, and then nine more years as a school librarian. Visit: www.kylelukoff.com
Jarrett J. Krosoczka, known since boyhood as "JJK," is the New York Times bestselling author-illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars: Jedi Academy series, and Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award finalist. In addition to his work in print, Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in the award-winning, full-cast audiobook adaptations of his graphic novels. Krosoczka has delivered three TED Talks, which have accrued millions of views online. Krosoczka has garnered millions more views online via the comics tutorials he has produced for YouTube and TikTok. As well as working on his books' film and television adaptations, Krosoczka has written for The Snoopy Show (Apple TV+) and served as a consultant for Creative Galaxy (Prime Video). Krosoczka lives in western Massachusetts. Visit: www.studiojjk.com
Brian Selznick's books have sold millions of copies, garnered countless awards worldwide, and been translated into more than 35 languages, including the Caldecott Medal-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck. Selznick's two most recent books for young people, Baby Monkey, Private Eye, an ALA Notable Book co-written with his husband David Serlin, and Kaleidoscope, a New York Times Notable Children's Book of 2021, were both New York Times bestsellers as well. Selznick and Serlin divide their time between Brooklyn, New York and La Jolla, California. Visit: www.thebrianselznick.com
