PUBLIC ART YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SUMMER 2018
POLO GROUNDS THEN AND NOW PLAY TO WIN & HARLEM RENAISSANCE by THE POLO ARTISTS
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PUBLIC ART YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SUMMER 2018
Polo Grounds Then and Now Play to Win & Harlem Renaissance by The Polo Artists Unveiling Celebration Wednesday, August 14th, 10:30 AM Madison Boys & Girls Club Pinkerton Clubhouse 328-382 West 155th Street, New York, NY Michael Mitchell, Teaching Artist Ny Chom, Teaching Artist Assistant About the Mural and Related Paintings This project consists of an interior mural plus two related paintings. The mural design explore the development of the Polo Ground from the past to the present, while making a nod to the future. Specific historical events depicted in the mural include a polo game in 1887, Bobby Thompson’s 1951 pennent-winning home run, and Willie May’s 24 All-Star games. Each panel represnets an arial view of the Polo Grounds captures with contemporary technology for each era, including hot air baloons, a biplane, a space rocket and a drone. The two paintings represent the integration of boardgames and video games with sports. Madison Square Boys and Girls Club values of play and striving for excellence are reflected across all three works of art.
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FROM BRIAN RICKLIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Youth Apprentice who call themselves “The Polo Artists” shared a mission. During six weeks in July and August, Creative Art Works challenged 14 young people to create four large-scale paintings for Madison Square Boys & Girls Club. Even though many of them had little to no prior experience making art of any sort, the finished product had to be of professional quality, because it occupies a main hallway in the Pinkerton Clubhouse. The art had to be true to the voice of the youth, both individually and collectively, but it also had to convey Madison Square Boys and Girls Club’s values of healthy play and striving for excellence. Finally, the work had to be delivered on time, which created a sense of urgency. We equip our Youth Apprentices with all the necessary elements for success. Our professional teaching artists introduce equip them to with all the necessary skills and our generous supporters provide quality materials, but that does not mean we coddle them – in fact, we push them to create superior works of art. More importantly, we can attest, they pushed themselves and each other. These nineteen strangers came together as a family to create truly beautiful art. Thank you for attending today’s unveiling. It is sometimes difficult for artists to appreciate the impact their work has on the public until they see it presented to the people for whom it was created. Our Youth Apprentices develop a sense of ownership as they create their art, and that sense is amplified when each individual tells the audience what contributions they made to the project. Your presence here is an essential element in the success of our shared mission.
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The Polo Artists
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Dianellys Morales Dianellys Morales was born in Manhattan and has lived here all her life. Some of her hobbies include cooking, dancing, playing volleyball and softball. She also enjoys track and field. Her goal in life is to become an Executive Chef and maybe even own her own restaurant one day. Dianellys, also known as Dede, hopes to learn from Creative Art Works how to work with a team and find out more about her creative side.
Fatima A. Peterson Fatima was born in the year 2002 and is in high school. She wants to become a veterinarian for exotic animals, or a pediatrician. She has two sisters, one brother, and two pets named Ali and Jiggy. Her favorite show is “The 100.� She also likes football and gymnastics. Her favorite teams are the New York Giants and the Denver Broncos.
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Laquanna Thomas Laquana is a 19-year-old girl from the Bronx, but moved two years ago and currently lives in Harlem. She’s most proud of her daughter Aniyah who is two & a half years old. Laquana loves to accomplish a lot of things such as her music. Though the music she writes & performs is hip pop, she enjoys listening to a variety of styles including Spanish, Caribbean & Soul. Laquana, who is known as Lala Benzo, has one brother and two sisters. She’s working on becoming a performing artist.
Zephaniah Reddick Zephaniah is home-schooled. She has a bright personality and is very hard working. She’s confident in her dreams and knows what it takes to get there. Zephaniah has many aspirations but wants to become a baker. In her spare time, she likes to listen to music and draw and paint. She’s a very open and carefree person and has high hopes for the mural project with CAW.
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Autumn Watkins Autumn Watkins, born and raised in Polo Grounds, is currently attending college at SUNY Canton. Her field of study is criminal investigations. Her inspiration and career goal is to be a forensic technician. Prior to joining this program, Autumn was not a big art fan, but now she believes that art can introduce her to, and help her develop, long-term skills that may benefit her in the future.
Matthew Williams Matthew Williams has been home schooled for eight years of his life and he lived in Florida for nine years. However, he moved to New York, where he really doesn’t like the smell of the air. Matthew really seems to miss the smell of fresh air and green grass and the friendly countryside of Florida.
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Lance Greene Lance is a unique individual who wants to succeed in life, reach new goals, and make his presence known to the world. He is an athlete who plays basketball and football. He also boxes. Lance wants to go to college and take business classes because he wants to have his own company and a clothing line. Lance will reach his goals and dreams because he isn’t a person you’d see fail in life. He’ll keep growing and growing, becoming a man of character.
Jayda Bostick Jayda was born in 2002 and raised in New York City. She graduated from Urban Academy Laboratory High School and will be majoring in creative writing. Jayda dreams of writing novels and plays for a living. She reads and writes and illustrates as hobbies. Her previous art experience includes three large paintings telling the tragic story of an African mother. She has also painted sets for her high school’s annual musical.
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Jashawn Wingfield Jashawn Wingfield is one extraordinary person. He is one of five siblings. Jashawn has many talents. Among them are drawing, playing football, and fixing machines. He would say that some of his hobbies are also drawing, working out, and listening to music. Music, for him, keeps him kind and humble. And he doesn’t mind listening to it when he draws.
Christopher A. Riley Christopher Riley was born on July 18th of the year 2001. Some of his hobbies include drawing, playing video games and watching Japanese animations. He's a graduate from Pinebush Highschool and is looking to pursue a career in Forensic Science.
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Nehemiah Woodly Nehemiah is a bright and very hard-working young woman. She is currently living in Harlem with her Mother, three brothers and sister. She also has three cats. She loves her family very much. Nehemiah has many aspirations in life. She wants to be a veterinarian, baker and a gamer. She is confident in her dreams and knows what it takes to get there. In her spare time she likes to listen to music, draw and paint. She is a very open and carefree and has hopes of applying her skills to this mural project with CAW.
Jeremiah Woodly Jeremiah is a hands-on worker who loves creativity. He was homeschooled and, because of his mother and brother, has always been inspired by art and has always wanted to be an artist and gained an eye ranging from smithing to drawing. Being accepted to work at CAW brought him a plethora of happy memories. Also, being able to paint for the first time in his life was something he looked forward to.
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Keith Davis Keith J. Davis is not a junior, however, he is named after his father. Keith is 16 and lives in the Polo Grounds Projects. He has encountered many summer youth programs throughout his several years of working; however, this has been the most meaningful for him.
Teaching Artist Assistanr Ny Chom Ny has worked in non-profit art education since 2014. She has worked with a variety of students from preschool age to adults, primarily in underserved communities. It has been her privilege to bring her love for the visual arts to many people, encouraging confidence and selflove and motivating them to apply the lessons they have learned through artmaking to become successful in other academic disciplines. Ny is originally from Philadelphia, and graduated with a degree in Fashion Design. She is currently pursuing a degree in Art Therapy to further encourage and engage youth in the arts. She is an artist in her own right, and is working on female portrait studies. Ny is a resident of Bed Stuy, Brooklyn, which she has called home since 2008. 12
Deysean Nesbit Deysean Nesbit is a Harlem resident. Deysean loves his brother and two sisters, who support him in anything he does. Deysean is considered an excellent artist who gives his best each and every day. CAW gave Deysean a way to express his feelings through art.
Teaching Artist Michael Mitchell Michael studied illustration at the Art Institute of Chicago, architecture at The University of Chicago’s AIA Design Center, and advertising & design at The American Academy of Art. He was a founding partner at Howell/ Mitchell Design in Chicago. He is comfortable working in practically any medium, and has an extensive background in marker rendering. Michael has served as a freelance artist for most of New York’s largest advertising agencies, doing presentation storyboards for TV commercials. He has created a number of indoor and outdoor murals in Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and Honolulu. He has taught art at the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment and at CAW’s Saturday program at Randolph Houses in Harlem.
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This program was made possible, in part, by the Summer Youth Employment Program of the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, and these generous supporters:
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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 33-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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• Polo Grounds Then and Now • Play to Win • Harlem Renaissance
Play to Win
Harlem Renaissance
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Creative Art Works is a 501(c)(3), EIN #13-3638436 Copyright © 2018 Creative Art Works. All rights reserved. 16