The Green Thumb Brigade

March 17th, 2010

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!

In Stitches

March 15th, 2010

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.

Six Burner Restaurant & Bar Benefit Dinner

March 9th, 2010

Local hotspot Six Burner Restaurant and Bar is raising funds for ART 180. On 3/25, a Thursday night, proceeds from their sales will benefit creative expression programs for young people in challenging circumstances. Join us for a delicious meal at an acclaimed restaurant. It’s for the kids!

School of Rock

March 8th, 2010

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)

ART 180 Calendar

March 1st, 2010

Here’s March!

march2010

Our Fall 2009 program at St. Andrew’s School

February 12th, 2010

This past fall, Sukenya Best and Mike Dulin led a printmaking program at St. Andrew’s School in Oregon Hill. Throughout the program, the young artists explored the theme of pressure in interesting ways. They experimented with new methods and new materials with some impressive results. This is a video taken last November of a drawing exercise where they reacted to music on paper.

Click here to watch drawings inspired by music.

ART 180 calendar

February 1st, 2010

February Calendar

Here is February’s page of the ART 180 calendar. Download it for your desktop background or put it on your Facebook page.

feb2010

What the kids are saying…

January 28th, 2010

“I want my art to change people’s perspectives.” – Jennifer

ART 180 calendar

January 25th, 2010

Download the ART 180 calendar for your desktop wallpaper, to hang in your office, or in your kitchen. Each month has another inspiring quote from one of our many artists. Thank you to Chris Milk Hulburt whose artwork decorates each month. A new monthly calendar will be posted on the first of each month, so check back to see what the kids have to say.

January

Here’s jan2010.

Open Studio at Sacred Heart

January 20th, 2010

Open Studio, 1.14.2010

what we do

ELKHARDT MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS

Elkhardt Middle School was there.

Elkhardt girls did several mixed media projects

Elkhardt Girls describe their culture through texture.

Collages by Elkhardt girls

Texture collage from Elkhardt girls

More from Elkhardt Girls

ELKHARDT MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS

The Elkhardt boys learned about puppetry

using Exacto knives and cardstock.

They started by making shadow puppets out of straws and paper

They also created alter ego hand-and-rod puppets.

How funny!

One funny character!

BOUSHALL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Boushall students how to us digital photography to express themselves.

Boushall photography

The Boushall photographers focused on several different ideas, including 'purpose' and 'surrender'

Boushall students worked together and use photography to send a message and express their emotions.

Boushall artists worked together and use photography to send a message and express their emotions.

One of the artists from Boushall Middle School with some of her work.

Photography based on 'purpose'

SOUTHWOOD BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

Outdoor planters by Southwood

Southwood Boys & Girls Club worked on sculpting planters and studying the idea of community. This semester they will create a community garden to utilize their pea pots and planters.

This planter has brighter colors than the one shown above. The artists explained that they wanted this one to by uplifting, while the other is calm and mellow.

Southwood artist Lateria Keene

What Lateria has to say....

Southwood student's feelings about their project

One Southwood artist's feelings about their project

Southwood created pea pots to be used in the community garden they're building this semester

Southwood created pea pots to be used in the community garden they're building this semester

Southwood student Nelestra Bell

What Nelestra has to say...

Section of the scupture called 'Purple Thunder'