ARTIST TALKS

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Valen Daughtrey aims to promote inclusivity and diversity in the arts community as a visual artist, illustrator, and educator. Growing up in the Edenwald Housing Projects in the North Bronx, he understands the importance of resources in the arts and he is passionate about providing programming, mentorship, and resources to young Black and Brown artists.

Valen believes in the power of culture, representation, and a shared mission, and has proven that treating people well is a catalyst to success. He practices building individualized connections with others to give them the keys to self-exploration and empowerment. Through his work as a Board Trustee at We Art One in Yonkers, NY, Valen focuses on fundraising and programming in arts education, as well as community outreach support with a focus on mentorships. He also worked as an Art History Course Instructor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, NY, where he taught students effective note-taking and individualized peer tutoring focused on course content enrichment and personal growth.

Valen has also worked as an Art Teacher at the Police Athletic League in Bronx, NY, where he taught the use of varied materials and techniques, encouraged students to find their own style through exploration, and organized student exhibitions focused on effective portfolio building. Additionally, he has experience as a Community Associate, Fitness Teacher, and Varsity Basketball Coach at the Academy for Careers in TV & Film in Long Island City, NY, where he provided quality administrative support and outreach to the school and local community, executed lesson plans focused on fundamentals of physical education/overall health, and successfully spearheaded fundraising to sponsor team uniforms and senior activities.

Overall, Valen's mission is to use his skills as a visual artist, illustrator, and educator to help promote a more inclusive and diverse community in the world, by providing programming, mentorship, and resources to young Black and Brown artists. He believe that through building individualized connections with others and empowering them to explore their creativity, he can help create a more equitable and just society.

TEACHING

Valen Daughtrey has had the privilege of teaching art to students in various organizations, including Mosholu Montifiore Beacon, the Police Athletic League, and the Board of Education. Their responsibilities included ordering art resources, demonstrating techniques, and encouraging students to create artwork. Additionally, they evaluated class activity and organized student exhibitions. They communicated regularly with administrators, staff, parents, community members, and students to discuss the arts.

Valen also served as an Art History Course Instructor at the Fashion Institute of Technology from July 2019 to July 2021. In this role, they taught students note-taking and study skills and reinforced course content through individualized peer tutoring. They led lectures and reviewed lecture content in smaller breakout sessions to ensure students were retaining course material. They also administered quizzes and tests based on course material.

Furthermore, Valen volunteered as a guest speaker at Discovery High School in the Bronx, where they taught young people about their art process and working in the industry as a professional artist.