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Zarea's seed pod (Southwood Boys & Girls Club)

Spring is here, and with it the youth in our program at the Southwood Boys & Girls Club are learning the art of gardening. Guided by Sean Sheppard and Tim Adkins (of Backyard Farmer), and veteran ART 180 program leader Kerry Anderson, the young artists are learning the techniques of sustainable agriculture. As they tote compost, seed collard greens and broccoli, and design the layout of their fruit and vegetable garden, these young people are creating a living, breathing work of art in their community!

From pin-cushions to quilts, textiles are the medium of the moment for the young artists in ART 180’s spring program for girls at Henderson Middle School. Program leaders Alida Barden and Yewande Lewis plan to use the the rich traditions of sewing and quilt-making to facilitate participants’ exploration of their personal history and heroes, even as they learn to work with fabric, needle and thread.

Natalie Steck, a volunteer from VCU’s Art Education program working to document ART 180 programs, observed the young artists at Henderson last week.

“All of the girls were mainly working quietly but there were also bursts of singing and laughing. It was hard to quietly document, I wanted to be a part of the art making so bad.”

Hand-stitched pin cushions (Henderson Middle School). Photo by Natalie Steck.

Our new spring program at Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club allows youth to express themselves through Rock n’ Roll. Under the guidance of Talia Miller and Nate Rappole, the young artists will form bands and perform at The Big Show on May 26.

Tyrone on the mic. (Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club)