Creative Art Works 2021 Benefit Journal by Creative Art Works

FO R A B E T TE R TOMO R ROW

ANNUAL BENEFIT FOR KIDS APRIL 2021

LO O K I N G FO RWA R D For 35 years, we’ve made it our mission to transform young people’s lives through the power of art. And while so much has changed in this past, challenging year, our commitment to keeping that mission in action has never wavered. We’ve adapted to changing times and adopted new technologies, but the essence of what we do remains the same. We nurture the creativity young people will need to thrive in a world where change is the only constant. We engage them more deeply in their studies and communities, center their voices as they bravely grapple with the current social moment, and invite them to imagine bold possibilities for the future. Join us as we work together…

. . . FO R A B E T T E R TO M O R R OW

CONTENTS Our Story

A Message from Brian

Who we are

What we do

Our impact by the numbers

Featured Program

Social Justice Art

Digital Character Design

Art Around the World

Our Evening

Our Honorees

Past Honorees

Whitney Arcaro

NY Family Court, accepted by

Judge Karen Lupuloff CAW & New York Family Court

Youth Honoree Natajha Graham

Our Thanks

A Message from Andy

Our Host Committee

Our Sponsors

Our Donors

Our Friends and Collaborators

Thank You, Sponsors!

Sponsor Messages

Building Community with “Art-to-Go” Bags

Self-portrait by Tahima Sultana, a Youth Apprentice in our summer 2020 Social Justice Posters program 4

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE D

Interns in CAW’s Character Design Program with FunPlus 6

E DO

A MESSAGE FROM BRIAN It has been a truly remarkable year. Last March, as the pandemic brought life as we knew it to a halt, we at Creative Art Works put all our creativity into delivering quality creative youth development to New York City kids. We started by quickly designing new lesson plans that made use of art supplies students could find around their home. Many of these required nothing more than a pencil and paper. We worked with our program partners to tailor course offerings to the needs of their students and experimenting with live and asynchronous instruction. We set out to demonstrate that creative expression could continue during at-home schooling, but I would argue that we proved how necessary it is. As the NYC Department of Education began to provide more equitable access to technology, we continued to innovate. We developed a new apprenticeship in graphic design to engage high school students in a virtual classroom. “Hold On” invited interns to create art that answered the essential question, “What do you want to hold on to from your life before the pandemic?” They chose words like freedom, values, culture, family, and determination. We were blown away by their resilience and their optimism, as well as their artwork. When the city announced they planned to cancel the 2020 Summer Youth Employment Program, we committed to hiring 50 apprentices, at our own expense, for remote digital arts apprenticeships. With the nation wracked by social strife, we engaged these young people in safe and brave spaces for creative self-expression and respectful communication, and gave them professional tools to create social justice posters on the subjects that mattered to them most. Once again, these young people surprised us, both by the unexpected variety of issues they addressed and the sophistication of their messaging.

WE HAVE BEEN L AYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR A BETTER TOMORROW BY FOCUSING ON THE THINGS WE CAN BUILD TODAY. In addition to exploring issues that were weighty, we also purposefully created opportunities for joy, imagination, and for the whimsical. When some of our students and their school teachers told us they longed to take a break from staring at screens, our staff and teaching artists packaged hundreds of “art-to-go” bags and delivered materials into the hands of our young people. (You can read more about this program inside the back cover of this journal.) These are just a few highlights of the vital programs made possible by your generous donations, large and small. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we will continue to equip, connect, and inspire NYC youth for many more years to come. Thank you,

Brian Ricklin Executive Director and CEO

CAW Youth Apprentice Julian Vasquez helps distribute “art-to-go” bags at MS 45 in The Bronx.

WHO WE ARE Brian Ricklin Executive Director & CEO Karen Jolicoeur Deputy Director & Director of Development Fred Begley Director of Finance & Administration Amy Appleton Program Director Lance Paladino Program Manager – Teaching & Learning Alex Karpa Program Coordinator John Scott Lucas Marketing & Communications Manager Jill Goldstein Office Manager Melisa Vallovera Associate

OUR MISSION Creative Art Works empowers young people through the visual and multimedia arts. Our programs equip NYC 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 underserved neighborhoods, we provide in-school and out-ofschool time classes, public art youth employment programs, and community art-making events in partnership with public schools, recreation and cultural centers, juvenile justice and foster care settings, parks, community events, and the remote/virtual environment. Our programs build confidence, unlock a love of learning, and teach valuable technical and social-emotional skills. Students are never charged for participation.

OUR STORY...

...of sustained growth during uncertain times

FY 2020 sources of funds Contributed Government = 12% In-kind = 8% Individual = 7% Corporate = 6% Foundation = 5% Earned Sale of art = <1% Program income = 9% $ 1.28MM Total

Event Annual Benefit for Kids = 53%

FY 2020 use of funds

Expense Allocation Program services 74% Administration 11% Fundraising 15%

Expense by Program Public Art Youth Employment 40% Out of School Time 31% In-School 22% New Initiatives 4% Community Art-Making 3%

$ 1.25MM Total

OUR IMPACT, BY THE NUMBERS In fiscal year 2020, we provided...

>100 Youth Apprenticeships in the

digital arts and 7 through the creation of large-scale public art CAW redesigned its Public Art Youth Employment program in order to sustain creative workforce development opportunities for NYC youth during the pandemic. CAW employed many Youth Apprentices as direct hires. Inclusive Stock Photography by Social Justice Poster Intern Oumoul Diallo

> 720

participants with out-ofschool time programs with 15 partners

Neighborhood sculpture by student in PS 192 Spring Break program

Semester-long after-school and Saturday art programs where K-12 students exercised their artistic, technical, and developmental skills. In mid-March, in-person programs were made available online. Professional teaching artists offered a wide variety of art and digital media as well as “Active Art in Schools” projects in collaboration with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

800 students with in-school arts integration programs

Integrated curricula that help to meet mandated arts education requirements and mitigate the removal of arts education from public schools. Curricula, including anatomy and physiology, earth sciences, media literacy, and the humanities, were designed in keeping with the New York State Learning Standards for the Arts and the New York City Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts as well as the guidelines of Creative Youth Development.

Brain model by student in the Honors Anatomy & Physiology Illustration lab

600 participants through

community art-making events

2020 Hope Community Fest

Interactive art-making projects in the context of larger public events that empower youth to connect with their communities and explore unique perspectives. CAW participated in six different inperson art-making projects and one remote event. These projects engaged youth with their families and communities and enriched cultural pride and youth voice. The art-making aligned with our partners’ missions and enhanced their goals for youth impact.

FEATURED PROGRAMS

SOCIAL JUSTICE ART FOR A BETTER TOMORROW Every summer, Creative Art Works provides creative workforce development training to over 100 teens and young adults through the creation of large-scale public art and multimedia projects. As the pandemic unfolded early in 2020, and with New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program then in flux, we knew that we needed to move quickly in order to offer employment opportunities to young people; and so, CAW developed a Remote Digital Public Art Youth Employment Program and committed to providing part-time summer jobs to over 50 teens and young adults as direct hires. This was the first remote job for all of our Youth Apprentices (YA’s), and what a job it was! In addition to learning serious skills for the digital workplace, they grappled with challenging topics and crafted compelling messages about social justice issues, including racial and gender equality, animal rights, domestic abuse, child labor, climate change, family separation, mental health and drug addiction, and the rising cost of health care. While the work was virtual, this robust program packed a lot of real-life experience into six weeks. YA’s met daily via Zoom to discuss their work with CAW Teaching Artists and staff. Visiting guests from the graphic arts, branding and entertainment industries also provided expert critiques. By the end of the summer, each YA completed a personal digital portfolio consisting of four major components: a collection of inclusive stock photography; two social justice posters, and a video artist statement. The program wrapped up with two virtual culminating events which were well-attended by CAW board members, NYC school principals and teachers, and representatives from our program partners. Thirteen YA’s were honored with awards for best posters, teamwork, perseverance, and communication. One poster was featured on F.Y. Eye’s digital PSA Network of over 100 digital billboards located in high-traffic nonprofits throughout NYC. You can see all the portfolios on our website! www.creativeartworks.org/2020-social-justice-art.

Social Justice Posters

The theme of the first collection of posters was “For a Better Tomorrow.” YA’s were invited to imagine what a more just future might look like as our society rebuilds itself in the wake of the pandemic and in light of the Black Lives Matter movement. 16

(Above) Award-winning posters

“I got to work with great mentors who guided me and taught me so many things. I have grown as an artist and as an activist.” — Youth Apprentice Kezia King

(Above and right) Inclusive stock photography that aimed to represent the diversity of the young people in the program This program was made possible in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

CHARACTER DESIGN INTERNSHIP This Program Builds Character: This spring, Creative Art Works joined forces with FunPlus, an international interactive entertainment company, to offer an online character design internship to 70 NYC high school students. This 9-week internship included live instruction from CAW Teaching Artists, augmented by guest lectures and critiques from FunPlus artists and other industry professionals from across the globe. For many, this was their first work experience. Character-Driven: Our young interns learned fundamentals of drawing, such as the difference between ideal and exaggerated proportions and how facial expressions and body language can convey emotions. They also developed the confidence and skills to inject personality into their characters in order to make them memorable, whether they are a hero, villain, or comic sidekick. Knowing what’s inside the character’s heart and mind informs the design. Each intern completed a portfolio which included their final design, a process drawing, a brief bio and a video artist statement. While all of the portfolios have been collected on our website, each one has a unique URL, which means that interns can refer to their own page on college or job applications. The program culminated with a massive online event with participants joining from China, Europe and across the United States and Mexico. You can see all the character design portfolios on our website! https://www.creativeartworks.org/2021-character-design-program

“I had no idea what I was going to draw when I started sketching, but then I had a spontaneous idea about robots stealing pieces from other robots to complete themselves, but then they don’t know how to make these pieces their own.” — Christian Concepcion

Christian Concepcion 18

“The biggest thing I learned from the program was the ability to tell a character's story with just their appearance. The way a character looks reveals so much about them.” Amari Outlaw-Clark

— Amari Outlaw-Clark

“Something that I liked about working on this character was that, before this internship, she didn’t look like this at all. This program really helped me refine my character’s design and personality.” – Brandon Green Brandon Green This Creative Art Works program is supported, in part, by the generous private corporate support of FunPlus, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.

ART AROUND THE WORLD AT PS 88 QUEENS Going on a journey without leaving home: CAW designed the Art Around the World program to teach young learners about arts and artists in under-represented cultures. Classes are a mix of social studies, humanities, and art theory and technique. When taught by an experienced CAW Teaching Artist, such as Fabio Puentes, a class can feel like a trip to a new country, an immersive experience filled with music, color, conversation, and new ideas. A Saturday class at PS 88 Queens proved that remote learning could not only be effective in achieving educational objectives, it could also be joyful and provide a sense of community for this group of students in grades three to five. Fabio has his Zoom setup down to a science, and he switches easily from video of himself to an overhead shot of his well-organized workspace, to sharing his computer screen with all his multimedia content. Slides with his lesson objectives and individual instructions for each task allow students to see and hear instructions. Lesson are divided into several short segments of five to ten minutes each with a single clear objective. Fabio combines related music, images, and video to keep things moving. In one recent class, inspired by the work of Australian indigenous artist George Ward Tjungurrayi, students created birds-eye dream maps of their own neighborhood. Students listened to a sample of didgeridoo music, learned a bit about the artist and the desert landscape that informs his art. To introduce the concept of a bird’seye view, students were shown a video of the earth taken by a small camera attached to the back of an eagle. Afterwards, they viewed samples of colorful maps and debated questions such as, “Are these maps or art?” To which one student responded, “Maybe they could be both?” George Ward Tjungurrayi at work

Clear concise instructions to keep things moving

A bird’s-eye view

This Creative Art Works program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural After-School Adventures (CASA) Initiative in partnership with the City Council and Council Member Robert F. Holden.

Watercolor-Resist Paintings Inspired by N’Debele Painted Houses

“My philosophy has always been that, if I am having fun as a teacher, my students will automatically catch that enthusiasm, and therefore they will naturally learn with passion. I add a lot of interactive resources, poll questions, virtual field trips, and soundscapes.” — Fabio Puentes, CAW Teaching Artist

Community Scenes Inspired by Tigua Folk Art from Ecuador

Decoupage Inspired by the Quilts of Gee’s Bend

OUR EVENING WHEN Thursday, April 22, 2021 6:00 — 7:00 PM

AGENDA • • • • • •

Welcome from Brian A look back at a remarkable year Our honorees Breaking news & announcements A word of thanks from Andy Join the conversation

HONORING Whitney Arcaro Head of Marketing & Retail Leasing RXR Featured Program Partner NY Family Court Accepted by the Hon. Karen Lupuloff Natajha Graham Youth Honoree

Digital art from a remote after-school program at PS/MS 278 23

OUR HONOREES

“Lexington Fitness,” 2020 Active Design Mural at PS 72 in Harlem 24

OUR PAST HONOREES Jerome Montrone, Managing Director Beacon Capital Partners NYC Department of Health, Active Design in Schools Accepted by Teddy Swenson, MPH, Program Manager

John P. Maher, Executive Vice President, CBRE Donald Notice, Executive Director West Harlem Group Assistance

Dave Cheikin Brookf ield Properties (Represented by Jerry Larkin, Executive Vice President)

2020 2019 2018

Felipe Franco, Deputy Commissioner NYC Administration for Children’s Services

Glen Weiss, Executive Vice President, Vornado David Fanning, Principal, A. Philip Randolph Campus HS

Neil Goldmacher, Vice Chairman, Newmark Ben Lev, Principal, Hamilton Grange Middle School

2017 2016

Marcia Sells, Dean of Students, Harvard Law School, & former Associate Dean, Columbia University School of the Arts, a community partner Brookie Maxwell, Founder, Creative Art Works (in memoriam) 26

Scott Panzer, Vice Chairman, JLL Rick Wise, CEO, Lippincott Olga Quiles, Principal, MS 328

2015

Jim Cole, Vice Principal, MS 328

Judge Edwina Richardson-Mendelson, NY Family Court Glenn Palmer-Smith, Artist and Author Murals of New York City

2014

Robert Selsam, Executive Chairman, Boston Properties (Lifetime Achievement)

2013

Michael Laginestra, Vice Chairman, CBRE Debbie Schaefer, Principal, PS 192 Colin Thompson, Artist

2012

Paul Amrich, Vice Chairman, CBRE Peter Passidomo, Chief Clerk, NY Family Court

Tom Lunke, Planning Director, Harlem Community Development Corp.

2011

Frank Doyle, Vice Chairman, JLL

Andy Levin, Senior Vice President, Boston Properties

2010

Pam Haller, Program Manager Health Education and Outreach, NY Presby terian Hospital

“I'd love to see more awareness of Creative Art Works. It's such a powerful organization, and the work is so inspiring. I think building more awareness will only help people realize the benefits and the sense of empowerment that CAW brings to the young people they serve.” — Whitney Arcaro

OUR 2021 HONOREE Whitney Arcaro EVP, Head of Marketing & Retail Leasing, RXR Whitney Arcaro is responsible for overseeing the marketing and communications of RXR Realty’s 25.6 million square feet of commercial assets in Manhattan and the surrounding region, as well as the concepts, design strategy, marketing and strategic branding initiatives for 6,200 multi-family units in planning across the region. As the Head of Retail Leasing, Whitney oversees the strategy and implementation for the 1.1 million sf of retail space across RXR’s portfolio. Prior to joining RXR, Whitney served as Managing Director of Business Development for SHVO, a luxury real estate company. Whitney was a senior member in the company’s strategic growth initiatives, effectuating a $3.5 billion investment and development pipeline in a 24-month period. Previously, Whitney served as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Vornado Realty Trust, where she was responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies, including office, retail, residential, and hotel properties, new developments and major asset repositions. Whitney oversaw Vornado’s major branding initiatives. Her accomplishments include building an interdisciplinary, multi-award-winning marketing program for Vornado’s corporate, New York, and street retail platforms, which included innovations in digital marketing and technologies, as well as industry-leading sales centers and product positioning. She oversaw the marketing and communications plan of the company’s nationally recognized sustainability program, and also created a successful public holiday tradition in partnership with the San Francisco 49ers in California. Whitney has been listed as one of New York’s Real Estate Power Women in 2018 and 2019. She is a member of the Leadership Committee of the American Lung Association. Whitney has produced award-winning feature length and short films featured at SXSW and Sundance Film Festivals, including a critically and politically hailed feature on conditions of Veterans, which garnered over 12 awards and coverage in the Washington Post, International Herald Tribune, and the New York Times.

OUR PROGRAM PARTNER New York Family Court

New York Family Court is part of the New York State Unified Court System. The mission of Family Court is to protect children and support stronger families. Family Court works to provide the just and timely resolution of all matters brought before the court, including cases involving adoption, custody, visitation, paternity, child support, child abuse and neglect, domestic abuse, criminal offences committed by children, juvenile immigration, and other issues of child and family welfare. They recognize that families who appear in court may be experiencing a crisis, and strives to create a court environment that conveys respect and confidence. In 2010, Creative Art Works was invited by New York Family Court to beautify the walls of a waiting area in the courthouse at 60 Lafayette Street. Rather than simply installing some paintings, CAW developed a programmatic relationship wherein Youth Apprentices create art that is both personally cathartic and inspiring to all those who journey through the halls of the court. Since then, CAW has developed a restorative and social justice platform that has employed hundreds of young people to deliver messages of hope to other young people in crisis, as well as the judges, lawyers, social workers, law enforcement officers, and staff, who toil daily to address such struggles.

“Underwater Paradise,” Bronx Division, 2019

OUR 2021 HONOREE Karen Lupuloff, Supervising Judge, New York Family Court, Manhattan Division Judge Karen Lupuloff, Supervising Judge of New York County Family Court, was first appointed to the bench in 2005. Judge Lupuloff presided during her first year in Manhattan Criminal Court and has presided since that time in New York City Family Court, both in the Bronx and in Manhattan. Judge Lupuloff specializes in child protection but has also specialized in custody, domestic violence, and juvenile delinquency cases. Judge Lupuloff serves as a member of The Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission of the New York Courts. Before her appointment to the bench, Judge Lupuloff served nine years as an assistant district attorney at the New York County District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted street crimes, sex abuse and child abuse cases, and investigated and prosecuted international drug cartels. She then worked for five years at the Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation for the NYC School District, investigating crimes and corruption in the school system. As a Deputy Commissioner for that office, Judge Lupuloff supervised attorneys, investigators and support staff. Judge Lupuloff served for five years at the New York State Office of the Attorney General, first as the deputy chief of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and subsequently rising to the level of deputy chief of the Criminal Division. Judge Lupuloff received her B.A. from American University and her J.D. from Temple University School of Law.

“This spectacular art is the biggest YES that we can give our families.” — Judge Karen Lupuloff addressing CAW Apprentices at the unveiling of youth-created art for New York Family Court, Bronx Division

CREATIVE ART WORKS & NEW YORK FAMILY COURT Since 2010, CAW Youth Apprentices, working under the guidance of professional teaching artists, have created nine projects for Family Court in the Manhattan and Bronx divisions, including 28 individual canvases and one short documentary film. CAW Programs at New York Family Court: •

Art inspired by Tibetan prayer flags (2011)

•

“Pride,” a collaborative canvas celebrating Gay Pride Month (2011)

•

“Excelsior,” a diptych inspired by the court’s emblem (2012)

•

“There is Hope,” “Ascending to Leadership,” and “Balance Freedom,” a triptych on the theme of restorative justice (2013)

•

“Hearts of Justice,” a triptych on the theme of family (2014)

•

“Speak Out,” a short documentary on New York Family Court (2016)

•

“Picture Hope” and “The Wayward Path,” two polytychs exploring the importance of family and the immigrant experience (2017)

•

“In Harmony’s Way,” a massive polytych depicting a representational and metaphorical journey through The Bronx (2018)

•

“The Great Blue,” “Growth and Rebirth,” “Underwater Paradise,” and “Cycles of Migration,” a series of paintings intended to offer a sense of hope and calm to visitors in several waiting rooms at Family Court, Bronx Division (2019)

“Pride,” Bronx Division, 2011

“In Harmony’s Way,” (Panel 2), 2018

“Picture Hope,” (Panel 2), Manhattan Division, 2017

“Picture Hope” (Panel 1), Manhattan Division, 2017

“In Harmony’s Way,” (Panels 2–3), Bronx Division, 2018

YA working on “The Wayward Path,” 2017

“Cycles of Migration,” Bronx Division, 2019

“Picture Hope” (Panel 3), Manhattan Division, 2017 33

OUR 2021 YOUTH HONOREE Natajha Graham

Born in New York City, a daughter of Jamaican immigrants, Natajha Graham is the first member of her family to go to college. We first met her as a junior at A. Phillip Randolph Campus High School (APRCHS), where she was working as a Youth Leader with the nonprofit College Access: Research and Action (CARA). Along with other Youth Leaders and APRCHS students, Natajha painted the murals inside and outside the Student Success Center as part of a CAW after-school public art youth employment program. Last summer, she returned to CAW as a Youth Apprentice with our Social Justice youth employment program. She is currently studying biology at Spelman College in Atlanta. We sat down to talk to Natajha about her work with CAW, social justice, and her hopes for the future. In 2019, while you were a junior at APRCHS, you participated in a CAW afterschool program painting murals inside and outside the Student Success Center. How was your experience? It was a really good experience, because I'd never done any type of painting before that. We spent a lot of time trying to figure out what images to include that might influence other students to want to have a postsecondary plan after graduation. Also, people who pass the mural will come inside, and then want to know more about the Student Success Center. It was eye-catching, and it made people feel good just knowing that somebody cared enough to get their attention and to invite them in. Natajha in front of the Student Success Center

Tell us about your experience as a Youth Apprentice last summer. It was something new that I wanted to try and it was totally different than what I expected. It was great learning about my strengths and weaknesses and discovering a love of photography. But mostly, I loved working with a lot of new friends. Our art had a lot of personal meaning behind it and it was surprising to hear other students telling so many stories about their art. 34

You created two digital posters last summer. One of them features a photo of your little brother looking up at the camera in a state of pure childhood bliss. Could you talk about that poster? Both of my posters are a response to the BLM movement. When I look at that photo of my little brother, I can’t help thinking what it’s going to be like for him growing up to be a Black man in this world. He doesn’t really understand the world yet, but as a Black kid, you lose your innocence fast. There’s going to be a time when he experiences something that he won’t understand. I want people to look at this little kid and realize why he is deserving of a better future.

Social justice posters created by Natajha during her apprenticeship with CAW in summer 2020

Where are you going to college? I'm at Spelman College in Atlanta, and I'm really loving where I'm at. I didn't apply to schools like Princeton or Harvard, even though I think my grades were good enough to get in, because I didn't feel like those schools fit my personality. I wanted something that was more diverse. Spelman is an Historically Black College. I love the unity among the women in my school and among students from HBCUs overall. What do you think would happen if the student body at American colleges reflected the diversity of America? If more people of color went to college, I feel like the world would start to realize the potential that we have. A lot of Americans see us like thugs, but if more of us were able to go to college, I feel like they would realize we are not as different as they want us to be. We have a lot to say and we do have a lot of power. 35

OUR THANKS

Photography by 2020 Summer Youth Apprentice Jackelyn Hernandez 36

Thank you to our generous donors for making not only tonight’s event possible, but also for making it possible for our students to strive for a better tomorrow. 37

A MESSAGE FROM ANDY Andrew Levin Chair & President

I am pleased to say that Creative Art Works not only survived a difficult time but we innovated and thrived. In the past year, CAW provided over 200 youth apprenticeships through remote digital art employment programs. We’ve served over 1,000 students through remote in-school and out-of-school time programs and community events, both asynchronous and in real time. We served an additional 600 youth through four community art-making events. We continued to innovate as we developed 15 new curricula that engaged young people and got them excited about learning. Finally, I’m pleased to say that members of the City Council renewed our funding for six Cultural After-School Adventure programs and one Cultural Immigrant program. This summer, we are looking forward to offering nearly 100 apprenticeships to NYC youth. These will include hybrid mural projects for New York Family Court, the North American Headquarters of Savills in midtown, and Invesco/L+M at River Crossing. We will also offer multimedia apprenticeships that will include photography, graphic design and filmmaking. In October we welcomed Amy Appleton as Program Director. Amy has assumed this critical role in our organization at a very difficult time. We recently on-boarded Fred Begley in the newly created position of Director of Finance & Administration. Previous Teaching Artist Alex Karpa has joined our staff as Program Coordinator. Our former development intern Melisa Vallovera has returned to us as a program and development Associate. We are thrilled to introduce our new board member, Angela Pennyfeather. As always, we salute the passion and commitment of our current board members, as well as our past, and the generosity of our grantors. On behalf of the Board, we are grateful for the selfless contributions of tonight’s Honorees and Benefit Co-chairs. I wish to thank Whitney Arcaro of RXR for her generous embrace of CAW and our mission while leading our fundraising under challenging circumstances. Judge Karen Lupuloff, a passionate and articulate advocate of creative youth development, is accepting the award on behalf of our program partner, New York Family Court. Finally, we are thrilled to honor our own Natajha Graham, a veteran Youth Apprentice, and recent Program Intern. For the moment, our teaching artists, staff, and program partners continue to serve kids remotely, but we are looking forward to resuming in-person programming next fall; thanks to the support of many of you, we will be here to do so. With gratitude,

Andy Levin, Board Chair & President 38

OUR HOST COMMITTEE OUR BOARD Andrew D. Levin Chair & President Brian Ricklin CEO & Executive Director

Angela Pennyfeather Andrew Stern Marcos Santiago

Eric Withrow, Treasurer

Mark Evans

Julia Sanabria, Secretary

Mosely Chaszar Neil Goldmacher Rich Morris Rick Wise Steven Soutendijk

OUR BENEFIT CO-CHAIRS Andy Ackerman

John Maher

Bill Elder

Lesley Lisser

Brian Goldman

Marcelo Renzi

Chris Fogarty

Mark Furman

Dan Birney

Matt Frank

David Green

Michael Kleinberg

David Goldstein

Mike O’Neill

Eric Schlameuss

Peter Turchin

Frank Doyle

Rob Lowe

Glen Weiss

Scott Corneby

Heather Kahn

Tara Stacom

Jason Greenstone

Taylor Reynolds

Jerome Montrone

Tom Hill

OUR SPONSORS PREMIER SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

CBRE Cushman & Wakefield Newmark RXR Eric Withrow & Christine Chang

Acker Alexander Wolf & Son Ambassador Construction Aurora Capital Associates Avison Young Columbia Property Trust The Durst Organization Ess & Vee Acoustical Contractors Fogarty Finger Architecture Forest Electric Fried Frank Gensler GFP Real Estate Greenberg Traurig Invesco / L+M Development Partners JDP Mechanical John Maher JT Magen & Company Julia & Michael Sanabria Lafayette Metal & Glass Latham and Watkins Lippincott MG Engineering MKDA Morgan Stanley O’Connor Capital Olayan Group Paul Glickman JLL Brokerage Team Principal Building Services Pritchard Industries RFR Realty Richard Morris Structure Tone Tri-Star Construction Unity Construction Group Vornado Realty Trust VVA Project Managers & Consultants WatermanClark

PLATINUM SPONSORS Bari & Neil Goldmacher The Paul & Montrone Family Rockefeller Group

GOLD SPONSORS Alexander Wolf & Son And Partners Andy Levin Boston Properties Brian Ricklin Building Contractors Association Clune Construction Coronet LED Davis Polk & Wardwell Hudson Yards Jane & Daniel Och Janwa and Suhail Sikhtian Jay Goldman JLL JRM Construction Management Leon & Toby Cooperman Mark Evans Moise Y Safra Family Paramount Group Pershing Square Savills Vinson & Elkins LLP

We are grateful to our sponsors and donors. Their support is fundamental to our success.

BRONZE SPONSORS Amergy Electric of NY Anfield Interiors Belden Tri-State Building Materials The Berman Group Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner BOLD BP Mechanical Brad Mendelson Brigade Capital Management Broadwall Management Brookfield Properties Bryan Cave Continental Marble David Green Excel Security The Fascitelli Family Foundation Galaxy Glass & Stone Gilsanz Murray Steficek Glenview Capital Management James E Fitzgerald, Inc. John Gallin & Son John and Jan Featherston John Levene KEA Engineers Marcos & Neha Santiago Macquarie Commodities & Global Markets MdeAS Mosely Chaszar NuSolutions Group PAL Environmental Pavarini McGovern PE Stone Peter Turchin Rick Wise Ripco Real Estate SBA Plumbing Scott Gelin Silver Eagle Advisory Group Spin Design STUDIOS Architecture Sym Real Estate Law TEI Group Tishman Speyer TPG Architecture Trident Contracting United Air Conditioning United Elevator Consultants The Von Der Heyden Family Foundation Waldorf Demolition 43

OUR DONORS ABCO Peerless Sprinkler Air Ideal Alison & Matthew Frank American Utility Consultants Amy Appleton Andrew Kelman & Joan Feder Andrew Stern Angel Guzman Angus Scott Annette Healey Archetype Consultants Benjamin Maintenance Bentley Bill & Sara Cumbelich Borah Goldstein C.W. Greene C&D Restoration Chadwick Brokerage Chelsea Floor Covering Chicago Title Insurance Cole Pinney Copper Hill Development Daniel Bergman David Froelich David Gottstein David Maundrell David Quinn Dependable Glass & Mirror Diane Aramony

Diane Scheinman Empire Architectural Metal & Glass Environmental Building Solutions Flag Waterproofing & Restoration Frank Seta Associates GEA Consulting Engineers GKV Architects Glen Gery Godsell Construction Goldman Copeland Associates Harbour Mechanical Heather Kahn Hornig Capital Partners Hub International Icon Interiors IMP Plumbing & Heating Jared Donnamiller Jared Dworken Jessica Zaski & Kenji Ota Jill Goldstein John Scott Lucas John & Vicki Lucas Jon Levine Joseph DeGregorio Karen Jolicoeur & Lars Woodul Karen Nordlum Kleinknecht Electric Company Knightsbridge Park KSK Construction Group

Kundig Woodworks Lauren Tregor LeFrak Maccarone Plumbing Marjorie Levin Mark Foresi Michael Van Zandt MJ Melo Painting Par Plumbing Pro Spec Pryor Cashman Ray Ritchey RC Andersen Rebecca Levitt Richard Brennan Rizzo Group Scott Panzer Skyline Fire Sprinkler SL Green Steve Grant Thomas F. Hardardt Thomas Ruskin TKO Project Management Tom & Laurie Poggy Vidaris Villani Group VMG Creative Vocon Partners Yun-Hee Proffit

Photography by 2020 Summer Youth Apprentice Oscar Saavedra 45

OUR FRIENDS AND COLLABORATORS CAW would like to acknowledge the invaluable relationships we have with our collaborators, who include: Community Partners Audubon Mural Project Bronx County Family Court CASES Catholic Charities Community Services - Alianza Division Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services

New East Harlem Merchants Association New York Family Court Nonprofit New York NYC Administration for Children’s Services Children’s Center

Center for Court Innovation

Division of Family Permanency

Children’s Aid Society

Division of Youth & Family Justice

City College of New York

NYC Council

City Life is Moving Bodies (CLIMB)

NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

CultureNOW

NYC Department of Education

East Harlem Health Action Center

NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

Harlem Week Henry Street Settlement Highbridge Recreation Center

NYC Department of Parks & Recreation

Hike the Heights

NYC Department of Youth & Community Development

HOPE Community Inc.

NYS Council on the Arts

Inwood Community Services

Police Athletic League

Jacob Schiff Neighborhood Association

Queens Community Justice Center

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer National Guild for Community Arts Education

West Harlem Development Corporation West Harlem Group Assistance

Academic Partners A. Philip Randolph Campus High School Community School District 4 Hamilton Grange Middle School Hamilton Heights School High School of Law and Public Service Innovation Diploma Plus High School Liberty High School Academy for Newcomers IS 254 Bronx IS 93 Queens MS 45 Bronx PS 133 Manhattan PS 192 Manhattan PS 7 Manhattan PS 72 Manhattan PS 88 Queens PS/MS 4 Bronx PS/MS 278 Manhattan School in the Square

“Otto” by CAW Character Design Intern Melany Ruiz. Otto is a kind 10-year-old kid who lives in a world similar to ours but filled with dinosaurs. Like most kids, he struggles with bullying at school. 47

THANK YOU, SPONSORS!

Youth Apprentices in our Summer 2020 Social Justice poster program 48

PREMIER SPONSOR

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

CBRE proudly supports Creative Art Works in using the arts to empower young people. We join in celebrating all of this year’s honorees.

PREMIER SPONSOR

CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD IS A PROUD PREMIER SPONSOR OF CREATIVE ART WORKS Cushman & Wakefield is proud to support Creative Art Works for its commitment to empowering youth and inspiring possibility through arts programming for over 30 years. Congratulations to this year’s honorees, Whitney Arcaro, Hon. Karen Lupuloff and Natajha Graham.

cushmanwakefield.com 51

PREMIER SPONSOR

Newmark Proudly Supports Creative Art Works as they host their 2021 Annual Benefit in honoring Whitney Arcaro, The NY Family Court and Natajha Graham

nmrk.com

PREMIER SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSOR

CONGRATULATIONS Rockefeller Group is proud to support Creative Art Works and its mission to empower young people through arts programming. Congratulations to this year’s honorees.

RockefellerGroup.com

GOLD SPONSOR

Congratulations to Creative Art Works and this year’s honorees Andy Levin & Family Art by Shailyn in our Art Around the World program.

GOLD SPONSOR

Congratulates Whitney Arcaro of RXR and all Honorees 451 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016 57

GOLD SPONSOR

Thanks to this year’s honorees and supporters who grow CAW’s family stronger and build together “A Better Tomorrow” for NYC through the arts.

Brian Ricklin & Family GOLD SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR Artwork by Mark A., student at HGMS

Boston Properties is proud to support Creative Art Works. Congratulations to Whitney Arcaro, Natajha Graham, and NY Family Court.

A foundation for innovation. GOLD SPONSOR

A SALUTE TO CREATIVE ART WORKS AND THE HONOREES ON THEIR GOOD DEEDS *** Leon and Toby Cooperman

Photograph by Elysia Washington, CCCS Bridge Intern 59

GOLD SPONSOR

HUDSON YARDS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT CAW and the important work it does to provide creative opportunities and programs for young people today.

HudsonYardsNewYork.com 60

GOLD SPONSOR

Davis Polk is proud to support Creative Art Works and joins in recognition of Whitney Arcaro, New York City Family Court and Natajha Graham.

New York Northern California Washington DC São Paulo London

davispolk.com

Paris Madrid Hong Kong Beijing Tokyo

GOLD SPONSOR jll.com

JLL joins Creative Art Works in honoring Whitney Arcaro, NY Family Court, and Natajha Graham. As a business, we strive to make a difference for our clients—every day. As a culture, we commit to making a difference for our communities—every day. We know that a strong corporate culture goes hand in hand with a commitment to giving back. It’s that commitment that goes a long way in helping our local organizations achieve ambitions. Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. Jones Lang LaSalle Brokerage, Inc. © 2021 Jones Lang LaSalle IP, Inc. All rights reserved. 330 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10017

GOLD SPONSOR

JRM Construction Mgmt is a proud supporter of the Creative Art Works’ 2021 Virtual Benefit for Kids.

GOLD SPONSOR

Mark Evans & Family proudly support Creative Art Works in its 2021 Benefit for Kids

Artwork by Antonia in our Art Around the World program at PS88 62

GOLD SPONSOR

We are proud to support Creative Art Works and their mission to empower young people through the visual and multimedia arts. Congratulations to the 2021 honorees

Moise Y Safra Family

GOLD SPONSOR

PARAMOUNT GROUP is a proud supporter of Creative Art Works and their mission to empower young people through countless art programs.

We congratulate this year’s honoree, Whitney Arcaro EVP, Head of Marketing & Retail Leasing RXR

Paramount Group is a fully-integrated real estate investment trust that owns, operates, manages, acquires, and redevelops high-quality, Class A office properties, with core markets in New York City and San Francisco. We take immense pride in our stellar reputation with financial partners, brokers and existing tenants. We have the foresight to see where the world is heading, and the experience to make decisions that create value for all of our stakeholders. We have both the expertise and the creative vision to know how and where to add value. w w w.paramount- group.com

GOLD SPONSOR

commercial real estate

Savills is a proud supporter of Creative Art Works and its mission to empower young people through countless forms of art. savills.us

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

105 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Creative Art Works And This Year’s Honorees SILVER SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

The Durst Organization is pleased to join Creative Art Works in honoring Whitney Arcaro NY Family Court Natajha Graham

SILVER SPONSOR

Ess & Vee

ACOUSTICAL AND DRYWALL CONTRACTORS, INC. Anthony S. Verderame • Anthony J. Verderame • Stephen Verderame

SBA

PLUMBING AND HEATING CORP. Anthony J. Verderame • Stephen Verderame • Bruce Bauer

Integrity Excellence Performance

Our commitment to the industry for over 61 years

SILVER SPONSOR FOREST ELECTRIC NY

is a proud sponsor of the

CREATIVE ART WORKS 2021 FOR A BETTER TOMORROW BENEFIT HONORING Whitney Arcaro EVP, Head of Marketing & Retail Leasing RXR

NY Family Court Accepted by the Hon. Karen Lupuloff

Natajha Graham Youth Honoree

23-30 50th Avenue., Long Island City, NY 11101 Tel: (718)786-1100 · Fax: (718)361-5327 212.318.1500

SILVER SPONSOR

Fried Frank is proud to support Creative Art Works and joins in honoring Whitney Arcaro, NY Family Court, and Natajha Graham New York | Washington, DC | London | Frankfurt | friedfrank.com Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

SILVER SPONSOR

forestny.com

SILVER SPONSOR

www.gensler.com

SILVER SPONSOR

WE BELIEVE IN COMMUNITIES Lafayette is proud to support Creative Art Works’ commitment in strengthening the visual arts for today’s youth and their community.

SILVER SPONSOR

The Maher Family proudly supports Creative Art Works and congratulates this year’s honorees.

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SILVER SPONSOR

Mic

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SILVER SPONSOR

INTERIOR DESIGN THAT INSPIRES AND EMPOWERS

MKDA.COM | NEW YORK. STAMFORD. MIAMI. WASHINGTON, DC.

SILVER SPONSOR

Richard Morris and Family are proud to support Creative Art Works in providing creative youth development to NYC kids.

Digital art created by Emerie at HGMS

SILVER SPONSOR

The Olayan Group congratulates Whitney Arcaro and all of this year’s recipients for this well deserved honor.

SILVER SPONSOR

We are proud to support Creative Art Works' Benefit for Kids and its 2021 honorees Whitney Arcaro, Hon. Karen Lupuloff on behalf of NY Family Court, and Natajha Graham

SILVER SPONSOR

VO RN A D O R E A LT Y T R U ST C O N G R AT U L AT E S

P R OJ ECT & COST MANAGERS

Whitney Arcaro, New York Family Court, & Natajha Graham W E P R O U D LY S U P P O R T

VVA IS PROUD TO SUPPORT CREATIVE ART WORKS’ 2021 BENEFIT FOR KIDS AND HONOREES

NY | NJ | D.C. | MA | LA | SF | CT | IL

www.vvallc.com

SILVER SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR + SPECIAL THANKS

We are proud to support

CREATIVE ART

WORKS

structuretone.com

BUILDING COMMUNITIES WITH “ART-TO-GO” BAGS Over the course of the pandemic, Creative Art Works distributed over 820 art “art-to-go” bags. Hundreds of these bags were packed by our staff and teaching artists, along with youth apprentices, and delivered to students and parents just in time for Spring Break. The bags contained a wealth of art materials, including colored pencils, markers, pastels, crayons, scissors, tape, glue sticks, air clay, felt sheets, origami paper, pipe cleaners, and drawing pads. The distribution of materials preceded the offering of a free remote art-making program, called Community Works: Design + Build, which ran every day during Spring Break. A combination of urban design mixed media arts, this program invited young people to imagine ways they might improve their own neighborhoods. There were four sections, including two sections for students in grades K–2 and 3–5 at PS 192 in West Harlem; and classes taught in English and Spanish for middle school students at MS 45 in Fordham. Many parents and siblings also joined in. Our young designers were eager to provide guided tours of their model neighborhoods during several truly joyful culminating events over Zoom. Amenities included parks, playgrounds, schools, dog runs, lots of pizza parlors, and even a swimming pool with a sandy beach so bathers could dry off after a swim. Many students showed a sophisticated understanding of need for public works, such as housing, mass transit, and clean water.

“Art-to-go” bags included a wealth of materials. 72

Our young designers were eager to provide guided tours of their model neighborhoods.

Students demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of urban design. This Creative Art Works program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural After-School Adventures (CASA) Initiative in partnership with the City Council and Council Member Mark Levine Holden and Bronx Council District 15.

520 Eighth Avenue, Suite 201A New York, NY 10018 646.424.0392

www.creativeartworks.org

Photo by CAW 2020 Summer Youth Apprentice Natajha Graham

Creative Art Works 2021 Benefit Journal

Articles inside

Creative Art Works 2020 Financial Overview

Our Friends and Collaborators

Building Community with “Art-to-Go” Bags

A Message from Andy

Our Sponsors

Our Donors

Youth Honoree Natajha Graham

Art Around the World

CAW & New York Family Court

Featured Program Partner NY Family Court

Social Justice Art

What we do

2021 Honoree Whitney Arcaro

Digital Character Design

A Message from Brian