Art and life lessons

At age 16, Washoe High School sophomore Nena Contreras is disarmingly open. Her story includes the following elements: A tumultuous family life, a rocky romantic past, three years of substance abuse, a deep love for her younger brother and sister and a passion for poetry and visual art. Contreras is a member of the Paint Club—a group of youngsters who meet at River Gallery on Sundays to express themselves on a giant canvas. In addition to school, painting and poetry, Contreras works a part-time job to help support her family.

How did you get involved with Paint Club?

My teacher saw some art I was doing. I’ve been involved in art and poetry for a little while. I’ll be drawing in class, and she’ll be like, “You should go to [Paint Club].” It’s fun, because you express yourself. If you got into a fight or something, you can throw paint. If you feel depressed, you can paint it black. We’re throwing up there whatever you feel like. I drew two faces up there. One is looking straight, and one’s crying.

To represent two sides of yourself?

Yeah, what I feel like today. I got into an argument with my ex-boyfriend, and my dad and I have too many problems to think about. … Instead of doing something bad, I do poetry or art. And whatever comes out, comes out.

What is your poetry like?

[In my poetry], it seems like I wanna kill myself, but that’s not true. There’s a girl in my school I don’t like, but instead of fighting, I write it down. Sometimes it’s hard, because you’re afraid of what people think. But I don’t care anymore. I’ve been hurt too much, so it got to the point where I don’t care anymore [what people think]. I’m just living my life how I am. That’s how people should [live their lives].

When did you come to this realization?

This year. I don’t keep it to myself anymore. I just drive myself crazy if I keep it inside. The more you keep it in, the more you feel like the walls are closing in on you. … It’s time for me to grow up. There are always two roads. You never know the right one until you decide, and learn from your mistakes. It’s good to make mistakes, because you learn. A while ago, I got into drugs so bad. I tell my brother, “Don’t do drugs.” I was doing drugs for three years straight. Sometimes you be craving the drugs so bad, until one day you have enough, and sometimes you want to say something, and you can’t find the words. I tell [my brother], “You see what I go through?” And I have a little baby sister, and I don’t want her to turn out like me.

What are your plans for the future? College?

Yeah, I want to go to college, get a degree for nursing. … I don’t have enough money to go to college, but if I do get [a scholarship], I will take advantage of that. I want to have it easy for my kids. I want to reach the stars and sun for them.