PREVIEW: Art and Sole: A Window Into the Creative Process of Artists in Real Time
09/19 @ Albany Love Center (8 Kate St, Albany, NY)
“Art and Sole was a creation of something my daughter and I did together.”
Art offers a window into individual life experiences and creativity. Witnessing the process from thought to canvas is a rare invitation extended by the creator. On Saturday, September 19, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Art and Sole opens the doors to the creative process of artists translating their vision onto sneakers.
This event is hosted by James Mitchell, the founder and CVO (Chief Vision Officer) of Young Futures, an organization aimed at making the acquisition of financial literacy an easier concept to grasp through community engagement and art. Their Weekly Fun Family Financial Literacy Class starts on September 27, which will build on the basics of personal and community economics for the whole family. Skills that shape a future can also be introduced and strengthened outside a classroom and with our neighbors.
“When we talk about financial literacy, I know for me personally, it wasn't something taught at home, and when I got a little older and practiced the habits that I didn't realize were financial wellness, it allowed me to live in a way where I could make decisions,” Mitchell explained. These skills are important building blocks for lifestyle freedom and a solid foundation for long-term goal attainment. Improving access to community programs requires active community support.
Art and Sole is a recurring, vigorous competition that takes local, top-performing artists and presents them with the challenge of taking a plain pair of sneakers and, in just 180 minutes, transforming them into a unique and fully wearable piece of art.
“Art and Sole was a creation of something my daughter and I did together. I bought a pair of sneakers to wear with a shirt. And the sneakers, once they got worn, she asked when she could paint [them]; she was five. So we painted them, and when I wore them out in the community, the sense of pride she had was really cool and noticeable…”
The 20 artists who go head-to-head all have their own distinctive style and full range of artistic vision to convey their masterpiece under the pressure of a countdown clock. Varied creative perspectives and skill sets shape their choice of focus, schema, and theme, possibly offering 20 completely different styles and vibes from the artists. Memorable past creative competitors have come from different backgrounds and technical experience levels.
“A young girl, her first year in 2018, was 13 when she competed… so she obviously wasn’t a ‘trained’ artist, but later went on to attend FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology), and now I believe she's just graduated. So, yes, we feature the trained artists, but that's not a barrier to someone competing,” Mitchell said.
Purchasing a ticket to this live art experience will afford the observer a first-hand look into the creative process of an artist working with a harsh time limit. Buying a ticket also enters viewers into a raffle that could result in walking away with a pair of customized sneakers, while also helping to pay the artists and fund other Young Futures youth and family programs such as the Financial Literacy class, Community Yoga, and Social-Emotional art classes. These customized sneakers are created by exceptionally talented artists and, in the past, leave the audience members in disbelief every time.
“Every year I’m in awe of the creativity,” Mitchell said when talking about gems from over the years. “Not just creativity, because I know the Capital District comes hard when it comes to artists, but actually creating something that I think would be very fashionable, that you could put with outfits. One year I got a pair that had a silhouette of Albany and purple and gold that I still keep and wear.”
For tickets and more information, visit the Events page at youngfuturesco.com
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: 8 Kate St, Albany, NY at the Love Albany Center
Hosted by: Young Futures, Inc.
