Frame by Frame with Yalvin

Artists For Humanity (AFH) has been employing teens in the creative industry for over three decades, and this year, we employed 400+ teen artists working on commissioned jobs for clients. AFH is a place to grow and build confidence. It’s a place for young creatives to thrive and imagine themselves in unexpected places or careers, and Yalvin Zayas is one of those young creatives!

“The way I approach art has definitely shifted,” AFH Teen Designer Yalvin Zayas emphasizes, “The people that work in the Creative Tech [Studio], a lot of them are really good artists. So, seeing the work that they do on the client projects and what they're suggesting in the storyboards—it's all kind of crazy to look at and learn from it.”

Animation by Yalvin Zayas for Illuminus depicting the Future of the Morton Street Area stop.

Yalvin has been with AFH since the summer of his freshman year in high school, starting in the Painting Studio. After that summer, Yalvin dove into art head first, using the money he made at AFH to buy his own iPad and expand his artistic knowledge. This was when his passion for art really kicked off!

“My first Summer working at AFH was great. I wanted to come to work every day.” Yalvin recalls, “I was the kind of person who got up at 7 in the morning to come to work at 9. I would just stay here for a few hours before work started.”

Since then, his aim has shifted. Now in the Creative Tech Studio, Yalvin is learning to work with Procreate , the Adobe Creative Suite–especially Adobe After Effects, and much more!

Yalvin has been busy. In fact, he’s animated several pieces for a public art projection in partnership with Illuminus—depicting the Morton Street area in Boston, both the present AND the future! Aside from animation, Yalvin has a number of talents and is interested in pursuing a degree in Computer Science like his brother. His dream project? To create his own video game.?

Animation by Yalvin Zayas for Illuminus depicting the Morton Street area including the MBTA stop and the Chez Vous Roller Skating Rink.

“As a kid, I wanted to get a job making a Monster Hunter game at, like, Capcom ,” Yalvin expresses, “I think it's just a matter of whether or not I think I have an idea that is really good, could sell, and if that idea would also be fun enough to make for multiple months on end.”

Who knows! Perhaps we’ll see Yalvin revolutionizing the world of gaming with his love for video games and his interest in computer science. Either way, Artists For Humanity is excited to see how his path unfolds!

Artists For Humanity’s mission wouldn’t be possible without our annual fundraiser—Artopia, and it’s just around the corner on October 5 at the AFH EpiCenter in Boston. But Artopia is not just any fundraiser. It is an innovative night of community, culture, and creativity alongside culinary delights, eclectic music, and craft cocktails—that will leave you feeling inspired!

This year, Artopia invites you into an immersive digital landscape where event goers will explore the connection between natural and digital landscapes through hands-on art experiences and larger-than-life installations. This creative and innovative night starts with our pre-event Benefactor Dinner from 6-9pm when AFH teen artists and designers take to the stage with their inspiring stories, encircled by an expansive two-story sale of their artwork. The main event following from 9pm-12am will be full of culinary delights, drinks, dancing, and non-stop immersive and interactive art.?

The Creative Tech Studio and Yalvin have been working hard on their immersive project for Artopia , and Yalvin will be there to show-off the work.