Heard 'Em Say Youth Arts Collective

Written By Brandon Dziedzic

Our open mic runs from 7:00-9:00p on the last Friday of every month (except for November and December to avoid school closures we move to the 3rd Friday) in the large event space on the 2nd floor. Our workshops and other events vary, so stay tuned to our website and social media for updates.

Heard 'Em Say Youth Arts Collective was established in May 2007, by founder Walter "Wally B" Jennings, to identify, cultivate, and empower young people in activism and advocacy through artistic education and expression. Our programs serve youth ages 19 and younger, with special focus on middle and high school age youth.

We give students tools and platforms to share stories about what matters to them. Our monthly open mic welcomes performers of all kinds who are 19 and younger. Our workshop programming reaches students at middle and high schools across the Tampa Bay area. Our traveling performance teams provide stages for our students to advocate for themselves across the state and country. The Torch, our literary magazine, offers students engagement with publication and the opportunity to serve on an editorial board. 

Clicking the link above, you will be leaving the Kress Contemporary site which provides content appropriate for all ages. We are not responsible for sensitive content on individual artists’ links.

Brandon Dziedzic
It was at an early age that Brandon Dziedzic, a graphic designer based in Denver, CO, was introduced to the wonderful world of design. Regardless of being a nuisance to his mother, it was their frequent weekend trips to local antique shops that intrigued Brandon. Every paper, piece of fabric, and piece of furniture had to be touched. He couldn't get enough of the different textures and designs that spread across the store floors. His desire and addiction to tactile objects quickly became his passion. It was this curiosity that shaped Brandon's decision to pursue his career. Choosing to attend a selective Graphic Communications program at his local technical high school, Brandon began to submerge himself in every aspect the program had to offer. Package design, ad design, photo manipulation, and printing on print presses helped shape his decision to major in Graphic Design and become a unique Graphic Designer. After searching numerous colleges Brandon finally decided to continue his education at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, FL. Not only did the beautiful weather and beaches entice him the Graphic and Interactive Communications department Ringling offered was one of the best he had seen. Throughout his four years he learned the complete circle of design, layout, typography, structure, and balance which quickly granted him many opportunities during his undergraduate years. After graduation and the excitement of living in the sunshine state had dwindled, Brandon decided to take a chance and move to New York City, the city of opportunity. With $300 in his pocket, all of his possessions packed in to an oversized 16’ moving truck, Brandon made his way to the big apple. After a grueling job search that seemed to last forever, yet lasted only a few months, Brandon quickly landed a Junior Design position for an educational software company called Wireless Generation. Here, his already abundant knowledge base of print design, book layout, typography, and branding design grew to include app design and user interface. It was from this experience Brandon began to develop a client base and pursue design opportunities all over New York City and beyond. Brandon currently holds a Graphic Designer position with The Integer Group in Denver, CO. In his free time Brandon loves searching for new design ideas, exploring the great city of New York, crafting, traveling, volunteering, spending time with his husband Kevin and cat Kay, and as always, searching for new freelance opportunities to enhance his designer mind. If you may have any graphic design related inquiries, please feel free to contact Brandon at bdziedzic09@gmail.com.
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