PUBLIC ART YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SUMMER 2017
WORLD PREMIERS FIVE DOCUMENTARY SHORTS WRITTEN, RECORDED AND EDITED BY CAW MULTIMEDIA TEAM YOUTH APPRENTICES
Sp e ak O ut by I ma gin e 4
20 0 Vesey Str e et by the M o cke rn aut s H arlem H armony by S au c y Pro du c tio n s Par allel Journey s by S up re m e Pro du c tio n s Time is of the E s sence by B l ack H ou s e Pro du c tio n s
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PUBLIC ART YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SUMMER 2017 A World Premier of Five Short Documentaries
With a Grand Culminating Celebration for all programs after the screening.
Thursday, August 10th 5:30 - 7:00 PM A. Philip Randolph Campus High School Auditorium & Cafeteria 443 West 135th Street, New York, NY
Nicholas Lindner, Teaching Artist Miah Artola, Teaching Artist Assistant Tiana Marenah, Teaching Artist Assistant Paul Eric Crespo, Jr., Teaching Artist Assistant
About the Mini-Documentaries
This summer, Creative Art Works’ Youth Apprentices painted public art at five locations in Manhattan and The Bronx. Both the art and our young artists are larger than life. A roving team of young documentarians captured their creative process to tell the stories and reveal the experiences of our Youth Apprentices.
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FROM BRIAN RICKLIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR For many of us, a summer job was our introduction to the working world. It’s a fundamental rite of passage, and a big step towards adulthood. I believe young people who land a summer job with Creative Art Works’ Public Art Youth Employment program have truly lucked out, not because our jobs are easy, but because they are challenging in unique ways. Many of our Youth Apprentices have no previous art-making experience, so they have to venture outside their comfort zones and try things they didn’t know they could do. Because they are expected to deliver a beautiful finished product in just six weeks, and satisfy multiple stakeholders, our young people must learn to work as a team, to assert their identities, to compromise, to solve problems, and to advocate for their ideas. There is a healthy dose of pressure, as well as an enormous sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing their completed artwork and its impact. While it is possible to take away lessons from any work experience, I would argue that those jobs that involve the creative process offer some unique lessons. Aside from mastering the technical skills of painting or using professional cameras and video editing software, our Youth Apprentices must learn to deal with uncertainty. The idea that there are predetermined “correct” answers is supplanted by a constantly evolving cycle of judgment calls. In this environment, you must not only come to trust yourself, you must also trust your collaborators – to listen to them openly, embrace their different perspectives, and evaluate ideas solely on their own merits. In today’s rapidly changing world, perhaps the most important habit our young people could develop is the capacity and desire to become life-long learners. Today, we are excited to share with you youth-generated work, which we believe embodies that spirit.
Join the Conversation!
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creativeartworks.nyc
@caw4kids
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Lucy Brewster Lucy is a proud New Yorker who loves reading, watching movies, and exploring the city. While Lucy’s primary interest is in creative writing, she began experimenting with film at a young age, making music videos with her friends on iMovie. During her time at Creative Art Works, Lucy’s skills as a leader and an artist have improved. She enjoyed exercising her creativity and learning how to tell a story in inventive, original ways. Lucy’s favorite movie is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, because of its unique method of telling the story by switching narratives and jumping around the timeline.
Emmanuel Rivas Emmanuel is a quiet and mellow individual. He values art, family, and freedom of expression. He believes that everyone is born to create something. He wants to create art in as many different ways as he can. During his struggle to find a meaningful artistic form, Emmanuel came across Creative Art Works. Joining the Multimedia team has taught him how to operate a camera, which he plans to use for his own projects. Emmanuel’s greatest inspiration in film is Peter Joseph, who filmed Zeitgeist, Emmanuel’s favorite documentary. He hopes that one day everyone will see him as the artist he is.
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Henry Meija The love for film/visuals started once Ferris Bueller’s Day Off hit Henry Mejia’s eyelids. Matthew Broderick, with his slick black hair and thick cool sunglasses, riding down Chicago streets with an old school red Ferrari, opened his eyes to a world unknown; a world he wanted to explore. It captivated him and didn’t let go. So, the idea of creating his own film is near and dear to him, because it reminds him of having infinite possibilities. He believes that making a documentary as part of Creative Art Works’ Multimedia program is a great stepping-stone towards getting him where he would like to go.
Nathalie Ceballos Nathalie’s interest in film began as a child, making videos of her siblings imitating their favorite movie scenes. This summer, she has had a great experience learning about documentary film-making with the Multimedia team. She has enjoyed learning about the technical aspects, such as camera work and editing clips to form a story. She has grown as a leader and a public speaker and has acquired skills in learning how to make ideas come to fruition. Some of her favorite documentary films are Grey Gardens and Paris is Burning, which have served as inspiration in the process of making a documentary film centered on mural painting.
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Thatiana Akuesson Thatiana is an upcoming senior in high school, raised in Harlem, who values a challenge. She does her best to overcome what life throws at her. She’s quiet, but is a good listener that lives through observation. She was introduced to art when she had the opportunity to create a sculpture. Being a part of the Multimedia Team has exposed her to a new realm of art. Making a meaningful film takes hard work, dedication, and a good eye to capture what’s beyond the surface. With the techniques that she has been taught, her production team will create a unique documentary.
Carlos Ramirez Carlos enjoys the outdoors and experiencing new things. In his free time, he enjoys gardening and playing soccer, as well as learning about new cultures and languages. He enjoys meeting and helping people, and as a result he aspires to become a pediatrician. Through Creative Art Works, he has gained knowledge about the film making process, and learned to step out of his comfort zone.
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Yoel Castro Yoel Castro, a rising college sophomore, has a knack for all things multimedia. His journey with film started during his junior-year of high school, when a teacher assigned a film project, which Yoel aced. This experience motivated him to take on film as a hobby. Now, two years later, Yoel challenges himself with the task of creating his very first short documentary with the help of his production team in the Creative Art Works Multimedia program. This experience has taught Yoel many techniques and strategies that he will definitely be using in the future.
Samantha Diaz Even though Samantha has not had experience with film, she has always been known to try new things that are outside her comfort zone. Samantha has interests in one day working in a book publishing company, such as Simon and Schuster, writing a young adult fiction novel, and becoming a journalist or working in the media world. She plans to accomplish these goals by majoring in English and possibly minoring in Journalism at City College.
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Jessica Fitzpatrick Jessica is a 17-year-old Manhattan native. Aside from spending time with her family and friends, her main interests lie in writing and journalism, and she plans to major in communications in college. By joining the multimedia team at Creative Art Works, she’s explored different aspects and kinds of journalism, specifically documentary, and gained experience with film. This summer she’s helped document the making of a mural, incorporating numerous film modes and techniques that she’s learned over the last few weeks, and conducting interviews with the artists.
Anthony Gonzalez Anthony is a third-year physics undergrad at Hunter College. While he has a penchant for the physical sciences, Anthony also recognizes the importance of art and, thus, was drawn to work at Creative Art works as a Multimedia team member. He is excited that he could capture the process that goes into the making of a mural. People pass murals every day, but most of them probably don’t give a second thought as to all the work that goes into creating these inspiring art forms.
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Javier Tejada Javier is a young aspiring pre-med student, however, he does not want to limit himself to just that. He seeks to expand his horizons by trying out any thing that he finds interesting. While he does not plan to pursue film-making as a “plan B,� he learned valuable lessons about discipline and teamwork as everyone in the media team worked as hard as they could. During his time with Creative Art Works, Javier and his teammates, Carlos and Yoel, created a documentary about the process of making a documentary for the first time, while also focusing on the work of the muralist at the PAL Longwood Center. This idea came from the fact the group wanted to be creative and challenge themselves.
Martha Alvarez Martha values life itself, creativity and beauty. Her interest in film started at the age of eleven, when she was introduced to a telenovela. Martha has learned how to exercise her skills in leadership while working on the Multimedia team by becoming an active listener and communicating affectively. By coincidence, Martha went to the same high school where Creative Art Works is painting a mural this summer, and her production team will be telling the story of that mural.
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Teaching Artist Nicholas Lindner
Teaching Artist Assistant Paul Crespo
Carlos Ramirez Jason Uzhca Teaching Artist Assistant Tiana Marenah
The Multimedia Team 10
Yoel Castro
Emmanuel Rivas
Henry Meija
Anthony Gonzalez Enmanuel Bencosme
Martha Alvarez
Victoria Spaulding
Nathalie Ceballos Teaching Artist Miah Artola Javier Tejada
Antonio Shivers
Samantha Diaz
Thatiana Akuesson Luis Garcia
Lucy Brewster Jessica Fitzpatrick
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Enmanuel Bencosme Emmanuel appreciates small details and meticulous action. He aspires to be a physician and start his own nonprofit. Although he is interested in the sciences, the various modes of art have always interested him as well. He loves learning and helping others. In his free time, he in-line skates, plays soccer and makes origami. Creative Art Works has given him the opportunity to learn and expand on movie making skills that he will take with him past the end of his time with the Multimedia program.
Luis Garcia A man (who was not really liked by many) once said, “The Writer is the Engineer of the Human Soul.” Luis Garcia is just that sort of writer. He’s a cheeky 16-year-old who wants to someday create machine and man not just through words, but through software engineering. He’s excited that his path has become intertwined with Creative Art Works. Joining the Multimedia team and documenting muralists at work gave Luis the opportunity to capture other people’s adventures whilst having his own. Luis is grateful to CAW for teaching him camera and sound skills beyond what he knew previously.
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Antonio Shivers Antonio used to be shy and introverted when he first joined the Multimedia team, but he began to open up more. He enjoys learning the different types of creations that cinematographers, directors, assistant camera operators, and sound engineers make. Antonio really found his talent in editing with Adobe Premiere pro. He enjoys engaging techniques that he has never thought about using before in editing. Antonio is glad that he decided to join the Creative Art Works’ Multimedia team.
Jason Uzhca Jason is a 16-year-old amateur filmmaker. He has developed more talents than most others in his age group. He learned many of his cinematic skills from NYC Salt (a nonprofit photography organization). Jason has a joyful personality and is excited to engage with creative tasks. He has definitely helped his team in many impactful ways and enjoyed leaning how to work on a film with a team. When Jason screened his first documentary, he was a one man team, but now he has learned to work with others to get the task done.
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Brian Jones Born and raised in the Bronx, Brian has always been curious about the smaller things life has to offer. He’s quite the heavy thinker, which, at times may bother those around him. Often times, he has felt very misunderstood; however, not everyone shares the same ideas, and that is the beauty of living in an intellectual society where the sharing of ideas promotes growth and understanding. This knowledge helped him prosper tremendously in his academic career, land good jobs, and avoid getting into hazardous situations. Brian currently pursues higher forms of education with an interest in tech and the sciences, and hopes to someday reach financial independence.
Teaching Artist Nicholas Lindner
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Nicholas is an educator and film and television professional. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in Film Studies and Fiction Writing from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s degree in Film and Television Studies from the University of Glasgow. He has worked in a variety of capacities for dozens of broadcast clients and on multiple feature films. His experience with the intersection between broadcast programming and the arts includes HBO’s series Master Class and the PBS series Art21. Nick was also a high school film studies teacher for five years at Manhattan’s Dwight School, where he was an active contributor to international curriculum development as well as teacher seminars and film festival organization within NYC. Nick has developed documentary studies curriculum for Creative Art Works.
Victoria Spaulding Victoria is an antisocial introvert from the Bronx, who likes both film photography and drawing anime. She’s had years of experience using both film and digital cameras, but nothing has prepared her to make an actual documentary. She has had a great time on the Multimedia team learning how to mix audio and use Adobe Premier. She enjoyed learning how to use video feature on the camera – the process of changing the ISO and aperture to make the video quality better has been a process of trial and error, but she now feels more confident in it. Although she has doubted her abilities to finish the documentary, with the help of her peers, she was able to overcome her concerns and be a better person by the end of the project.
Teaching Artist Assistant Miah Artola Miah is a Visual Artist, New Media Artist and Final Cut Pro and Premiere Pro Editor. She creates interactive installations which incorporate her drawings and paintings. Miah is the founder of the post-production studio, Artola Digital, and co-inventor of the software APE (Audio Peak Etcher), which generates sound responsive visuals. Miah shows her work regularly, including screenings at Anthology Film Archives, The Wild Project, Pioneerworks, and Governor Island just in 2017 alone. Miah is of Nicaraguan descent and was recently awarded an artist residency at La Escuelita Nicaragua to complete “Far Away,” a multi-platform project on poetry in Nicaragua. 15
Teaching Artist Assistant Tiana Marenah Born in The Gambia, Tiana moved to Anchorage, Alaska with her family at the age of three. She left Alaska to study history and film at the George Washington University in Washington, DC. After completing her undergraduate degree, Tiana attend NYU’s Tisch Asia graduate film program in Singapore. Presently, Tiana resides in Brooklyn, NY, where she teaches film and freelances as a director and video-installation artist. She is currently in post-production on her thesis film, “Sand Dunes,” shot on location in Alaska.
Teaching Artist Assistant Paul Eric Crespo, Jr. Paul was a Youth Apprentice for three seasons before becoming a Teaching Artist Assistant. A Harlem native who now resides in The Bronx, Paul grew up watching works by the likes of Hanna-Barbera, George Lucas, and Gene Roddenberry. He is fascinated by the way a story can grip you, have you invested in its characters, and bring you along for an emotional roller coaster ride. Paul believes his previous experience as a Youth Apprentice, along with his love and passion for moving image, makes him an asset on the Multimedia Team. Paul is an aspiring writer who wants to write for TV and Features.
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About the Public Art Youth Employment Program
Public Art Youth Employment Programs give teens and young adults full-time summer jobs and part-time jobs after school to create large-scale public art and multimedia projects. Youth Apprentices are guided by professional teaching artists from the initial concept development through client presentation, to the final edit and public unveiling or premier. Along the way, they gain tangible employment and life skills such as leadership, teamwork, responsibility and the power of taking initiative. They are empowered by the enduring accomplishment in their work of art and its positive impact on the community.
About Creative Art Works
Creative Art Works (CAW) is a 31-year-old nonprofit that empowers young people through the visual and multimedia arts. Our programs equip children, teens, and young adults with essential tools and skills; connect them with community, academic success, and career opportunities; and inspire them to reach for new possibilities. Working in under-served neighborhoods of New York City, in public schools, community centers, parks, and libraries, CAW provides dynamic art-making experiences for youth who otherwise lack access. Our programs build confidence, unlock a love of learning, and teach valuable technical and developmental skills while creating profound connections between our young constituents, their art and their communities. Students are never charged for participation in our programs. www.creativeartworks.org Creative Art Works is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, EIN #13-3638436 Copyright Š 2017 Creative Art Works. All rights reserved.
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Creative Art Works hires Youth Apprentices directly and as a worksite manager with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development Summer Youth Employment Program. Programs are implemented in partnership with Catholic Charities of New York Alianza Division, Children’s Aid Society, Inwood Community Services, and Police Athletic League. CAW’s 2017 Public Art Youth Employment Program is made possible, in part, by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council and Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. Direct support is provided by Brookfield, Crowell & Moring Foundation, RBC Foundation USA, Sherwin Williams, State Street, Structure Tone, and by individual donors.
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FIVE NE W D OCUM EN TAR I E S!
Time is of the E ssence by B lack H ouse Pro duc tions Parallel Journey s by Supreme Pro duc tions H arlem H armony by S auc y Pro duc tions 20 0 Vesey Street by the M ockernaut s Sp eak O ut by I magine 4
520 Eighth Avenue, Suite 201A New York, NY 10018 646.424.0392 www.creativeartworks.org Creative Art Works is a 501(c)(3), EIN #13-3638436 Copyright © 2017 Creative Art Works. All rights reserved. 20