Ms. Nature. Ratwoman. Fire Hazzard. Water Boy. These are the characters that have spilled forth from the imaginative minds of our young people at the Blackwell Community Center. There, Shamayah Wright (pictured) and others have created two comic books that touch on topics as diverse as the environment, Japan, dance competitions and cooperation. What happens when Fire Hazzard and Water Boy attempt to settle their differences once and for all? Come to The Big Show and find out!
Shamayah, 11
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
It is with mixed emotions that I post my final blog as an intern here at ART 180. First, I am excited knowing that I will be back before I know it for The Big Show on June 8th! It will be great to see all of the young people’s artwork from the spring come together! On the other hand, as exams start and my senior year begins to wind down, today is my last day in the office. I’m sad that I won’t be coming here every week to catch up with everyone. It’s been great getting to know the ART 180 staff. Every Monday, upon walking into the ART 180 office, I feel welcomed. And even though I’m only an eighteen year-old high school student, I always feel respected and trusted with the work that is assigned to me. I like working “behind-the-scenes” and it’s nice to know that the small things I do help to keep the organization running. The work that I have done has taught me that every little effort that an organization puts forth is important, no matter how small.
-Sarah
From my little time interning at ART 180, I have witnessed the most amazing commitment exuding from the creative young people whom I had the privilege of working with. Their dedication to ART 180 and their personal drive is a breath of fresh air. This was a wonderful place for me to build my work experience, especially with a nonprofit organization. I got to see how an office can be fun but very productive at the same time. The people who make up the wonderful ART 180 network – program leaders, assistants, and mentors – give everyone they work with warm feedback and encouraging advice. The office atmosphere is charged with productivity, engaging projects and is over all welcoming and encouraging for growth and learning.
As a final recap to my internship blog experience it is important that I thank everyone that has allowed me to be a part of this awesome experience. I have learned a ton! Particularly I have been able to get a glimpse of how community organizations can encourage young artists in school-like settings. From what I have seen, each program leader approaches how they lead differently. It is very obvious when observing and photographing at ART 180 programs that the young people are inspired and full of excitement. I took great interest in how the leaders encouraged their young artists to be so enthusiastic and focused on the work that they were creating. Needless to say everyone has his or her own ways of introducing and accepting new projects and ideas. It was nice to have the perspective that I did in observing but also engaging with the young people while they were creating art.
The young people that I had an opportunity to meet while photographing have also showed me a great deal in the short amount of time I have been interning here. Their enjoyment and excitement when creating something is amazing and motivates me to recapture, for myself, the enjoyment of simply creating something.
Over all the experience of photographing with ART 180 has been one of the best experiences I have had in my undergraduate career. Thanks for reading, and thanks for giving me such a great experience to learn from!
- Amber
ART 180 Photography Intern
They say that all good things must come to an end… yet after thinking about the people I’ve met and worked with over my time here, it’s quite hard trying to fathom the concept of “THE END”. Rolling credits on screen. Curtain closing. My brain is trying not to see this as an ending, but yet as a new beginning.
ART 180 has been an irreplaceable experience for me that I will never forget. It’s not just the brand new skillset I am thankful for… it’s the ART 180 family, the office humor, the brilliant young individuals I’ve met, the events and performances and the enthusiasm that everyone shares for ART 180. Look for me lending a helping hand with ART 180 in the future, as I cruise into town on a getaway weekend drive to Richmond.
I’ll leave you with this—learning never ends in your life. Though I won’t be actually sitting in a VCU classroom… the world now becomes my vast, open classroom.
I intend to make the most out of it.
Thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
Ebony Smith
Pens are a lot cooler than you think.
Yeah I know what you’re thinking… Ebony, how in the world can pens REALLY be that cool? Well let’s see.
There are big ones, small ones, skinny ones, fat ones, hot dog pens, hamburger pens, Barbie (and Ken) pens… even smart pens that seem to have a brain of their own. Crazy, I know. But I told you they can be cool.
Well, even though ART 180 isn’t going to be looking into smart pens anytime soon, we are looking at pens that are going to be convenient and memorable. This week I was assigned to be on the hunt for pens that our supporters could easily use and would remind them of ART 180. We’ve narrowed it down to a couple of designs that we think fit our tastes quite well. I’ll be ordering samples to come into the office so that I can take a look first hand, of what will fit into YOUR hand.
We have also been in the process of mailing out our 2010 Annual Report. This is the first time that I’ve seen the production process of any Annual Report — literally from start to finish. Though quite a daunting task, it is one of the most essential materials for a non-profit organization. This is a process that I will be more comfortable in knowing for the length of my professional career.
Meanwhile, I’ve been asking around the office for any extra boxes that people may have, as I will be moving to Northern Virginia in a couple of weeks. For anyone moving soon let me tell you… you can never have enough boxes! You’ll find yourself wishing magical bunches of boxes would drop out of the sky and land in your desperate lap. Oy vey!
Take care,
Ebony