Resonance Begins: Young Writers in Conversation with Beauford

When ten New York City high school students traveled to southern France this summer, they didn't simply learn about Beauford—they entered into a conversation with his art.

The illustrated poems and narratives and the recorded recitations created during Teens of Color Abroad’s (TOCA’s) two-week excursion to Aix-en-Provence mark an important milestone for The Beauford Delaney Project. They are the first contributions to Resonance, a growing collection of creative responses inspired by Beauford's life and work.

“Watching” and rendition of The Eye
Text and illustration by Grace De-Souza
Image courtesy of Teens of Color Abroad
All rights reserved.

When I first envisioned The Beauford Delaney Project, my conversations with colleagues and collaborative partners always centered on undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students engaging with Beauford's life and work.

But when I was asked if I wanted to provide an opportunity for TOCA youth to experience Beauford’s magic and introduce him to the Leo Marchutz school in the process, I happily accepted the invitation.

This experience broadened my vision for the project. The thoughtfulness of the students' observations, the originality of their poems and narratives, and the confidence with which they shared their work convinced me that high school students—and other community groups of similar age—also have an important place in this creative conversation.

One discovery was especially meaningful. When TOCA's documentarian later shared photographs of the students' illustrated writings, I noticed that one student had chosen to write about Can Fire in the Park, a painting that had been introduced only during the orientation session before the trip to Aix-en-Provence.

Can Fire in the Park
Text and illustration by Derek Tirado
Image courtesy of Teens of Color Abroad
All rights reserved.

I was equally delighted to discover that several students had created works inspired by images in the Resonance of Form and Vibration of Color exhibition catalog they received at the conclusion of the workshop.

“Life at Sea” inspired by Grèce
Text and illustration by Fatima Salgado
Image courtesy of Teens of Color Abroad
All rights reserved.

These unexpected choices indicated that the students' engagement with Beauford's art extended beyond the paintings we discussed together that afternoon.

For me, they also affirmed that creative encounters with his work can continue long after a workshop ends.

Resonance has found its first voices!

Explore the photo gallery for the 2026 Writing from Art workshop HERE.