The spring ART 180 program at Southside Boys & Girls Club gave young people the chance to imagine their own planets and develop for each a unique cultural identity that includes music, dance and visual art. Jacquiel’s “Planet Geek” is out of this world, as are the musical instruments the artists created largely out of natural materials.
We can’t wait to see you tomorrow at The Big Show!
Jacquiel, age 11
ART 180’s intercultural mural project brought together high school-age youth from varied cultural backgrounds to create a large-scale mural in Richmond’s Southside. The program included activities designed to foster communication and cross-cultural understanding, which the young people used as inspiration for the mural imagery. Antonio and the other artists will not unveil the finished mural until June 12, but we hope you will come meet them at The Big Show and learn more about their incredible work!
Antonio, age 17
Matulda is among the youth at Henderson Middle School who this semester learned how textiles can serve as another medium for personal storytelling. Beginning with simple pin cushions, the girls in the program gradually developed their sewing skills–and their rapport with one another–until they were ready to embark on their final project, a group quilt as colorful and diverse as the artists themselves!
Matulda, age 13
The ART 180 program for boys at Henderson Middle School encouraged the young artists to express through drawing and painting their vision of the world around them. Their subjects range from self-portraits to still lifes, but for many the art work is really about emotion. As Darren said, “I draw how I feel.”
Darren, age 12
Armed with conga drums and composition books, the group at Boushall Middle School have been combining spoken word with percussion to create one vibration. Collectively, their minds, bodies and souls will unite on Wednesday for a powerful performance you will not soon forget. One participant, Prekeisha, had this to say, “To me, art is love, passion and hard work, sweat and tears. Art makes me feel wonderful inside. It’s hard to explain, because it’s a whole lot.”
Prekeisha, age 13
What haven’t the young people at Elkhardt Middle School done? In their 12-week ART 180 program, Dominique and his fellow artists have translated the traditional story of “Peter and the Wolf” to the Stone Age, a project which has included developing a new cast of characters, designing hand puppets to represent them, creating original sets, and then performing the puppet play you will see on video at The Big Show next Wednesday. You will be transported!
Dominique, age 12
Lateria is one of our vivacious crop of young gardeners cultivating a community garden space at the Southwood Boys & Girls Club. In addition to learning about sustainable agriculture and new types of food, the young people have created colorful signage and pots to show off the fruits of their labors. They also have a surprise activity in store for you at The Big Show…
Lateria, age 10
Viewing the world through the camera’s lens offers new perspectives and opportunities for self-expression for the artists in the ART 180 program at St. Andrew’s School. Young people like Ymani have not only learned to operate a video camera, they have also written screenplays, practiced improvisational acting, and worked together to create an original short film–all while gaining inspiration from each other and the diverse work of filmmakers around the world. The young artists will premier their film at The Big Show. Don’t miss it!
Ymani, age 9 with program leader Vania Michelini
Rock n’ roll is the medium for our young artists at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club, and they’ve got the energy to bring the house down! Participants tried out a variety of instruments in the early stages of the 12-week program, and then elected to concentrate on vocals, drums, keyboards, or bass. Drummers Jackson and D’onj will be on the beat at ART 180’s The Big Show next Wednesday, May 26. Come hear these young musicians and their talented band mates–you’ll be rocking out!
Jackson, age 14 and D'onj, age 11
SOHO (A Space of Her Own) gives girls like Jazmine the opportunity to craft works of art that beautify and personalize their living spaces in Gilpin Court. A partnership of ART 180, Friends Association for Children and the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, SOHO also pairs each girl with a female mentor like Huong who offers guidance over the course of 20 weekly sessions that include family-style meals, life skills building and a variety of art projects. At The Big Show, SOHO will display a model bedroom featuring the creations of each girl in the SOHO program.
Huong and Jazmine, age 9