PUBLIC ART YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SPRING 2019
ON THE BLOCK & DOUBLE VISION BY “TEAM DOUBLE VISION”
PUBLIC ART YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SPRING 2019 ON THE BLOCK & DOUBLE VISION by “Team Double Vision” Dedication and Celebration Thursday, May 23, 4:30 – 5:30 PM Shake Shack, 1 West 125th Street, New York, NY Valérie Hallier, Teaching Artist Michael Mitchell, Teaching Artist Assistant
About the Public Art Youth Employment Program Creative Art Works’ 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
ABOUT THE ARTWORK People First: The management team of Shake Shack commissioned Creative
Art Works to produce artwork for their new location on 125th Street in Harlem, because they recognize CAW’s Public Art Youth Employment programs connect stakeholders to their communities. Danny Meyer, the founder of Shake Shack, has built his success on a people-centered business philosophy; likewise, Creative Art Works operates from an asset model of education, which recognizes that young people bring a lot to the table, including creativity, energy, enthusiasm and valuable insights about their own neighborhoods. It feels as if Shake Shack and CAW go together like burgers and fries.
An All-Star Team: CAW assembled a team of standouts from our 2018 summer programs for this commission. Not only did each team member display qualities such as leadership, a strong work ethic, and team spirit, they all have personal connections to Harlem. They dubbed themselves “Team Double Vision” because they have all worked on at least one previous mural project. A Design By and About the Community: “Team Double Vision” wanted to create a mural that would connect Shake Shack with the local community. Their strategy was to reflect Harlem’s rich culture, both past and present. The team found inspiration in the sights and sounds of Harlem, including music and dance, the constant movement on 125th Street, the natural beauty of Morningside and Marcus Garvey Parks, the wide range of hairstyles that reflect the diversity of a dynamic neighborhood, and the vibrancy of the people.
The Grand Opening of Shake Shack 125th Street. From left, Shake Shack Chief Development Officer Andrew McCaughan, Shake Shack Founder Danny Myers, CAW Teaching Artist Valérie Hallier, D’Laja Martin, CAW Teaching Artist Assistant Michael Mitchell, Julian Vasquez, Michael Martin, James Canty, CAW Executive Director Brian Ricklin, Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti.
“TEAM DOUBLE VISION”
Michael Mitchell, Teaching Artist Assistant
Simon Alwanse
Elsie Vidal
Rafael Morales
Valérie Hallier, Teaching Artist
Roberto Cruzado
Denisha Wright
Toccara Davenport, CAW Program Manager - Operations Julian Vasquez
James Jermaine Canty
Keiana Alston
Daniel Bergman, CAW Program Director
Denisha Wright Denisha is a 26-year-old Leo who grew up in The Bronx. She went to Lehman High School, but left school early, because she felt ready for what was next. She wants to go back to school to study illustration. Denisha likes that work with CAW has a free-flowing environment, and that everyone has a platform to express themselves. Denisha likes that she’s working with other artists and that she can learn a little bit from everyone. She worked on the 2018 mural Migrations for Jacob Schiff School Campus in Harlem and was later promoted to a CAW Teaching Artist Assistant. She aspires to spread her wings by traveling beyond New York. Denisha was honored to be the Youth Honoree at the CAW 2019 Annual Benefit for Kids.
Rafael Morales Rafael is 17 years old and grew up in Harlem. He goes to Facing History School and likes the students, teachers and good environment there. He really likes science. Rafael previously worked with Creative Art Works on the mural Migrations at Jacob Schiff School Campus. He likes working in a team, because his teammates provide support so everybody gets their work done faster and more efficiently. He is shy at first but, once you get to know him, he is more outgoing. He likes to play basketball and video games like Fortnite. He wants to make sure his future is how he wants it to be, not how anyone else wants it to be.
Elsie Vidal Elsie Vidal is a 21-year-old student at BMCC. She is a psychology major who wishes to pursue a career in the medical field. Since 2015, Elsie has participated in creating, editing, and/or finalizing seven murals with Creative Art Works. She enjoys being part of CAW because they have helped her develop public speaking skills. Elsie feels that CAW is a great way to get youth out of their element, which puts them in a position to learn, grow and build character.
Michael Martin Michael is 20 years old and was born and raised in East Harlem. This is his second project with Creative Art Works. He previously worked on the 2018 mural Gift of Choice at PAL New South Bronx Center. That same summer, Michael wrote and directed the short film, “I Could Tell You ‘Bout My Life,” a production of BYKids. Michael said of that experience, “It’s important to tell your story because everyone has a different point of view and you never know when your point of view can help the next person.” Michael enjoys boxing and earning money. He is very hard working and adapts easily to new situations.
Simon Alwanse Simone is 17 years old and grew up in West Harlem. She goes to the High School for Environmental Studies where Mr. Bagnall, Ms. Hill and Mr. Mallin are her favorite teachers. Her favorite subject is debating world issues. Simone’s first job was working with CAW on the mural Migrations at Jacob Schiff School Campus in 2018. Her favorite part about having a job is getting paid and having money to spend on what she wants. Simone is a jack-of-all-trades and is not a carbon copy. She is an individual. She is also an amateur saxophonist (lie).
Julian Vasquez Julian is 17-years-old, lives in Harlem, and goes to high school. He had no artistic experience outside of music prior to his first job with CAW, painting four abstract paintings for RBC in the summer of 2018. Working with CAW, Julian has learned skills such as perspective, color theory, and how to work with a team. Julian usually does things by himself, but CAW helped him feel comfortable to work as part of a team. Julian loves to leave his mark, whether it’s in his passion for carpentry or anything else, so CAW is a perfect match for him.
D’Laja Martin D’Laja’s name was inspired by an African princess and given to her because her mom wanted to show the empowerment of women. D’Laja is 18 years old and grew up in Manhattan. She goes to Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics. She enjoys science, because she likes to know the root of things. She likes that this job allows her to be creative and find herself through art. D’Laja worked with CAW on the 2018 mural Migrations at Jacob Schiff School Campus.
James Jermaine Canty James lives in Manhattan and is a student at LaGuardia Community College studying Liberal Arts with a long term goal of graduating with an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree. James never had a strong interest in art until late 2015. Prior to that, he never thought of making art his college major. After 2015, he passed two visual arts classes and switched to an arts major. James previously worked with Creative Art Works making four paintings for RBC at the Winter Garden in Brookfield Place.
Roberto Cruzado Roberto is 19 years old and grew up on the Upper West Side. He goes to The Academy for Software Engineering, and likes that his school has access to a bunch of new technology. This is his second job with Creative Art Works, and he is excited for the new experience. Roberto previously worked on the mural Migrations at Jacob Schiff School Campus and Jacob Schiff Playground. Roberto likes to keep it positive and help when he can.
Michael Mitchell, Teaching Artist Assistant 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. He 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, including four Public Art Youth Employment programs with CAW. Michael has taught art at the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment and at CAW’s Saturday program at Randolph Houses in West Harlem.
Keiana Alston Keiana is an 18-year-old girl who lives in The Bronx; however, she is originally from the West Side of Harlem. She spends her free time visiting her family members. Keiana is very motivated and open-minded. She’d like to sharpen her skills as a hair stylist. Keiana previously worked with CAW on the 2018 painting series In Harmony’s Way for Bronx Family Court. Her experiences with Creative Art Works have been refreshing and amazing. She enjoys every new experience, including painting, drawing, and making new friends. She loves to learn new skills, such as public speaking.
Valérie Hallier, Teaching Artist Valérie is a multimedia artist whose work crosses media from drawing, photography, murals and immersive installations. She first came to the US on a Fulbright scholarship and received an MFA from SVA in computer arts. Her work has been shown internationally, including at the Housatonic Museum, CT; The Brooklyn Council for the Arts; ACM Siggraph, FL; and SCAN Arts Symposium, PA. After an LMCC Swing residency on Governors Island, she was a guest of The NY Theremin Society at Pioneer Works Art Center in Brooklyn. She was selected to be part of BRIC Media Arts’ first Biennial in Brooklyn. In 2017, Valérie started as a Teaching Artist with the Community Word Project TAP program, interning at various public schools in NYC. This is her second mural with CAW.
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