Jake Frielich worked with over 40 students from Borrego Springs High School, mentoring them since the fall to create artwork and organize an exhibition as part of the Festival. The result is WE YOU ME, an extensive gallery exhibition that showcases an intergenerational group of artists exploring self-image. This is the third year that Frielich has worked closely with students at Borrego Springs High School, and the second year of collaboration with welding teacher Mike Kitten and his students. This year, the large space of the gallery not only allowed for a more extensive range of works by the young artists, but also an opportunity to include work by artists from Los Angeles and San Diego who have participated in Candlewood in years past.

Thanks to Jim Wermers and Susan Percival at The Mall; Marthat Deichler; Mike Kitten; and the Borrego Springs Unified School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Jake Freilich is an artist and educator who lives and works in Los Angeles. He received a BA from Bard College and an MFA from University of Southern California. He makes paintings that explore paint’s history, utility, and capacity for movement. He has exhibited at Los Angeles Nomadic Division, Murmurs Gallery, Claydd Collective, and Omni Gallery, London. He has served as Associate Professor and Program Coordinator at Prescott College’s MFA in Social and Environmental Practice Program, lead organizer of Crenshaw Dairy Mart’s Art Supply Kits, and Director and Educator of LACAMP.