art180.org/blog

At Elkhardt Middle School, artist Sabrina Recabarren has led Cathleen Alvarado (pictured) and others program participants on a journey through time. Using a variety of printmaking techniques, the young people have visualized their memories, current reality, and dreams in large-scale “timelines” that reflect powerful forces in their lives. The Big Show is your chance to see this work, meet these artists, and support efforts to create change in our community. Don’t miss it.

Cathleen, 11 and Sabrina

Bre Adey (pictured) and her fellow artists at ROSMY took on the challenge of “Defyning Love” over the course of their spring ART 180 program. At The Big Show, they will perform an original theater piece–a combination of words and music, costumes and imagery–that seeks to both define and defy conceptions of love among their generation. Their fearless exploration inspires us; their stories are certain to move you, too.

Bre, 16

Janiya Brown (pictured) and her mentor, Karen Stringer, were brought together through SOHO: A Space of Her Own, a partnership of ART 180, Friends Association for Children and the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. Along with other mentoring pairs, Janiya and Karen met weekly to enjoy a family-style meal, learn life skills, and craft a variety of art projects to reflect Janiya’s unique style and personality. At the end of the program, they used these artworks to redecorate Janiya’s bedroom, working together to create a beautiful, nurturing “space of her own.” We’ll feature photos of the room projects at The Big Show, as well as a special group artwork that illustrates the heart of the SOHO community.

Janiya, 11 and her mentor, Karen

It’s almost here! ART 180’s premier annual event, The Big Show, will take place June 8 at 6pm at Plant Zero in Manchester. This year’s celebration spotlighting the spectacular young talent of Richmond will feature art works ranging from painting to hip hop to documentary film created at 14 program sites throughout the City. We’ll be counting down to this inspiring event on our blog, featuring one program a day for the next two weeks.

DéJah Harris (pictured) and the other ART 180 drummers at Capital One Boys & Girls Club are still flying high from a live performance at local independent radio station WRIR. This inspiring group of musicians has learned to create vibrant music together using drums, buckets, and found materials. Their “Junkyard Jam” will have you nodding your head and moving your feet–don’t miss their performance at The Big Show!

DéJah, age 14

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

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

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