Teen artists in Washington, D.C., explored what it means to be a teenager today through two impactful art exhibitions. They were encouraged to share honest reflections on their lives, discussing topics such as self-doubt, school lockdowns, protest culture, and surviving a pandemic.

At the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, high school students created live art installations, including a collaborative mural that addressed issues like college stress, protest movements, and social justice. However, the mural sparked controversy when a staff member labeled the inclusion of the phrase “Free Palestine” as anti-Semitic and had it covered up.

Artist Léda Pelton, one of the students involved in the mural, recalled being informed that the artwork was concealed out of concern that someone might become angry upon seeing “Free Palestine” and subsequently hurt them. Pelton responded, stating, “Maybe we are not the problem in that situation… I don’t understand why we are the ones who have to change our behavior because somebody else decided that they were too angry to just walk by something they didn’t agree with.”

Despite the censorship, the teen artists remain hopeful about retrieving the mural and eventually displaying it as a finished piece, steadfast in their message and their right to express it.