The Young Artist Program
GET TO KNOW THE YAP TEAM
Ivy-yon Jackson
She/They
Co-Founder/Co-Director
Ivy-yon graduated from La Salle University in 2024, with their BA, and a 4.0 GPA. Her studies consisted of a double major in Psychology and Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. Ivy-yon is a Philadelphia native, and has a passion for mental health and serving their community. She plans to pursue a career as a therapist.
Ivy-yon is a multimedia visual artist, specializing in digital drawing, fiber arts, painting, and collage. Ivy-yon is also an avid reader, their favorite genre being contemporary fiction. When not reading or creating, Ivy-yon spends her time caring for a dog, 2 cats and several dozen house plants.
They were a YAP participant for 3 years, as a high school student, before moving into a mentorship role. They now serve as Co-Director and Lead Teaching Artist. Being involved with YAP gave her the opportunity to develop as a person and as an artist, while providing a safe space for queer young people. They love to laugh and to be surrounded by good vibes. Come make art with them in YAP’s studio <3
Kris Hill
They/She
Co-Founder/Co-Director
Kris Hill is a spiritualist and self-taught multimedia artist with a main focus on Fashion, Content Creation, Music, Acrylic Painting, Jewelry Making and Performance Arts such as Dance and Stand Up Comedy.
They were born and raised in Philadelphia. Their relationship to their native city was very negative in their childhood until they realized how special Philadelphia’s different cultures and communities were. They have grown to love and respect the city that birthed them and has been firmly dedicated to helping Philly heal, shine and thrive— not just survive. They have been doing this work for almost 10 years, ranging from mental health advocacy on Social Media to Co-founding the Young Artist Program.
She was a YAP participant for 3 years as a high school student, before moving into a mentorship role. She now serves as a Co-Director and Lead Teaching Artist. YAP is a space for everyone to be educated, creative and free. Kris wants people to really learn and comprehend the importance of communities and how to intentionally be apart of them. Join YAP and participate in the magic!
Gabby Rodriguez
(They/Them)
Lead Teaching Artist
Gabby Rodriguez s a Latinx multimedia artist and storyteller based in Philadelphia. They got their start at CAPA and are now a Liberty Scholar at Drexel University studying Psychology and Fine Arts on the path to becoming an Art Therapist. Alongside school, Gabby works as a student intern with WHYY and as a Program Assistant with Youth Set The Stage, where they’ve collaborated on projects with groups like PaYouthVote, Billy Penn, You Oughta Know, The Pulse, and local Youth Engagement Centers.
Gabby’s work centers documentary filmmaking and abstract art—often exploring identity, community, and culture. Their commitment to uplifting youth voices and storytelling has been recognized with a 2022 Mid-Atlantic High School Production Award (Student Emmy) and the City of Philadelphia’s Impact Award from the Mayor’s Office of Youth Engagement.
At the core of everything Gabby does is a desire to create space for young people to tell their own stories and shape the world around them. Outside of work, Gabby loves Dungeons & Dragons, board games, and collecting anything frog- or mushroom-related.
Nailah Hill
She/Her
Director of Events & Community Engagement
Nailah has been supporting YAP as a volunteer for a few years, and has now officially joined the team as our new Director of Events & Community Engagement!
Nailah currently holds a B.S. and an M.S. in health sciences, obtained from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Salus University respectively. She exercises her science background by teaching in the School District of Philadelphia and practicing holistic care for herself and community. Nailah is also a passionate cheerleading coach, currently holding positions with the Central High School and Northern Hunter Elite cheer teams. Nailah aims to combine her passion for science, health care and cheerleading to create a space for inner-city cheerleaders to safely improve their skills in the sport, while receiving the physical care they deserve.
Having had dabbled in photography, writing, mosaic, painting and ceramics, Nailah does not identify as an artist, but is artistically inclined and has endless respect for creatives across all media. Nailah is a dog mom, loves being alive, traveling, trying new things and learning. Come meet her at our next event, she’s super excited for this new journey with YAP! #GoBirds!