"No Limit, No Boundaries" Mural. Renaissance School of the Arts

PUBLIC ART YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SUMMER 2015

“NO LIMITS, NO BOUNDARIES” RENAISSANCE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

PUBLIC ART YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SUMMER 2015 “No limits, No Boundaries” by “Murally Minded” Unveiling Celebration Monday, August 10th, 3:00PM Renaissance School of the Arts 319 East 117th Street New York, NY 10035 (On the SE corner of building) Kady Perry, Teaching Artist Julia Kito-Kirtley, Teaching Artist Assistant

About the the Mural

This summer, Youth Apprentices from Creative Art Works’ Public Art Youth Employment Program have been painting a mural that celebrates Renaissance School of the Arts’ founding principle of the “transformative power of the arts.”

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FROM BRIAN RICKLIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO

Once a work of public art is completed, it very quickly becomes a part of its environment. It becomes hard to remember a time when the art didn’t exist.

But before there can be the finished work of art, there has to be a process of art-making. Usually, it’s a long process that involves lot of people.

If you look at any Creative Art Works mural, you will see the signature of the Teaching Artists, Teaching Artist Assistants and, crucially, the names of every Youth Apprentice that took part in the creation of that work. Likewise, you will see the names of all the participants in our multimedia projects when the credits roll. It’s very easy to overlook those names. And there's the irony, because, as far as I'm concerned, those names are there to remind us what the art is really about -- it’s about the participants who created it.

Notice that the word "youth" is in the middle of the phrase, Public Art Youth Employment Program. That is no accident. The art always serves the kids and never the other way around. After the paintbrushes are washed, the drop cloths rolled up and the AV equipment is locked away in the tech cabinet, the public art ceases to evolve; however, the young artists will continue to grow. And every one of them will take away something from the process that will serve them throughout the rest of their life. Maybe it’s the ability to be punctual, or look people in the eye. Maybe it’s a trait such as self confidence, tenacity, or maturity. But all of our Youth Apprentices will have grown, and they will all have stories to tell.

Kady Perry, Teaching Artist Kito Kirtley, Teaching Artist Assistant

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Josh Perez

Aries Espinal Arlin Garcia

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Elsie Vidal Safiya Khalfani

Marvin Smith

Trevonna Hepburn Aaliyah Toney

Alex Matos Katherine Bencosme

Julia Kito Kirtley, Teaching Artist Assistant Luis Rodriquez Asli Thalia Lazaro Torres

Emmily Paradise

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“I enjoy working with kids and love the idea that making art allows you to express various forms of ideas.”

Trevonna Hepburn is from Harlem and is approaching her second year at Buffalo State College, where she is studying Criminology. She loves drawing and designing clothes. “Tre” aspires to join the FBI or become a lawyer so that she could contribute to making sure there is a fair justice system.

Although this is her first mural project, Tre is looking forward to continuing her involvement in the arts.

“I feel like art is more than a paper and pencil, it is storytelling.”

Luis Rodriquez lives in West Harlem. His parents are originally from Mexico. He is approaching his second year studying Digital Design and Animation at Hostos Community College. Luis enjoys playing soccer, listening to music and drawing. He also enjoys playing video games and would like to go into video game design. He is looking forward to the outcome of his mural project.

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“Through art I would like to help people regain confidence in who they are and what they can do.”

Aries Espinal is from Washington Heights. He is attending Norma Thomas High School. He is proud to be graduating with honors in 2016.

He plans to pursue and obtain a Masters in Art Therapy.

Aries is a street artist and has exhibited his work at Blick, Hi Arts, Casablanca and in ArtSeenNYC3. He admires the works of Picasso, Van Ghogh and Bansky.

“I feel Art is very relaxing and a healthy outlet.”

Thalia Torres is from the Bronx. She is a recent graduate of Herbert H. Lehman High School, and plans to become a veterinarian. She loves experiencing new things, which is why she joined CAW. While in the Summer Mural program, Thalia loved learning how to draw in perspective and in a realistic point of view.

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“Art is endless and infinite. Anything can be art based on anyone’s point of view.”

Alex Matos is originally from Simi Valley, California, but currently lives in Uptown Manhattan. Alex is a skateboarder who is sponsored by Nike Skateboarding and has traveled across the US and abroad to Tokyo to showcase his talents.

He loves sketching anime and wants to continue learning all that he can about art.

“Art heals.”

Josh Perez is from Washington Heights. He is a recent graduate of The High School for Environmental Studies. His hobbies are running, lifting weights, diving and existing in general. Josh plans to double major in Physics and Biology on a pre-med track. He loves to volunteer his time and has done so at Presbyterian Hospital and several soup kitchens and parks throughout the Manhattan area.

He enjoys writing and editing videos and photography. He hopes to next year work with CAW’s Media team.

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“Art is a way to express yourself, share your ideas and inspire others.”

Marvin Smith is from the Bronx and lives in Parkchester. He attends TCI college, and is pursuing his BA in Digital Media Arts. He is inspired by comic book artist Alvin Lee, (the co-creator of the manga-inspired Agent X). He draws every day to sharpen his skills.

Marvin enjoys cooking and lending his help to those in need. While at CAW, he hopes to gain leadership skills and become more comfortable with public speaking.

“Art gives you the freedom to express yourself and share your ideas with others.”

Arlin Garcia is originally from the Dominican Republic. He lives in Washington Heights and graduated from New Explorers High School. His hobbies include playing basketball and video games. He would like to study Theater Arts.

Arlin has had a passion for drawing and art from a young age, and was influenced by his older brother. This is his first job, and he is excited to be working in the art field.

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“I feel that art allows me to share my perception of the world with others. It introduces people to beauties surrounding them that would otherwise be left unnoticed.”

Katherine Bencosme is from Washington Heights and is a recent graduate from Columbia Secondary School. Her hobbies include volleyball and playing the bass.

“Kat” plans to make art the main focus of her studies by obtaining a BFA in Visual Arts at SUNY Purchase starting in the fall. She is appreciative of having the opportunity to work with CAW and believes it is a great stepping-stone towards her career path.

“I like art because it never fails to evoke a new feeling or idea about myself, the people around me and the world in general.”

Emmily Paradise is a second year student at LaGuardia Community College. She loves teaching herself how to play instruments, such as the piano, the ukulele, the flute and the harmonica. Emmily likes to read and write short stories, poems and haikus.

This is Emmely’s second year with CAW’s Summer Mural Project.

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“With art, it’s not only making people see something, it’s about making them feel something.”

Elsie Vidal lives in Washington Heights. She attends Mott Hall High School and is an aspiring rap artist.

She is influenced by old school and current styles of rap. Elsie plays the piano, likes basketball, creates fictional stories and enjoys cooking and making art.

This is Elsie’s first job. She is happy to be working doing something she loves.

“Art brings out the creative side of me; I find it to be very relaxing and soothing. Art helps me to express myself. “

Aaliyah Toney lives in the Bronx.

She enjoys drawing, painting and hanging out with friends. Because she is a mix of so many nationalities (Haitian, Panamanian, Irish and African-American) she feels that her view of the world is different, and that there should be no boundaries with people coming together.

This is Aaliyah’s first experience creating a collective work of art, and she hopes it won’t be the last.

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“I feel that making art is a way to escape reality.”

Asli Lazaro was born in Mexico and lives in Manhattan. She is a senior at City College Academy of The Arts and wants to study Animation and Music after graduation. Asli likes to express her feeling by journaling, writing poetry and drawing. Her inspiration for drawing comes from watching anime cartoons.

This is Asli’s second summer with CAW.

“This experience at CAW has helped her to build her confidence and realize that she is a better artist than she though she was.”

Safiya Khalfani was born in Baltimore and currently lives in Harlem. She is a student at Urban Assembly School of Design and Construction. Safiya wants to peruse a career in Graphic Design, Photography and Film editing. She is fascinated by Asian culture, and is learning Korean and Hike theMandarin.

Heights She plans to relocate to China live with “Giraffe Path”toparticipant her grandfather, who is a Professor at a University.

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“The way I feel about art is that it is an expression of a person’s emotions, skills and abilities, as well as a way to overcome hardships with the power of the human mind.”

Juan Tejeda lives in Inwood Heights.

He attends Borough of Manhattan Community College and is in his freshman year studying Computer Engineering. Juan enjoys reading, drawing, gamming and creating technological devices. He would love to learn to create his own manga characters and work in the field of IT.

CAW has enriched our children’s lives with life-changing, everlasting experiences.

JUSTIN KRAVETZ Assistant Principal, P.S. 192 in Harlem

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“Making public art is magic. It transforms individuals into more engaged citizens who then go on to transform their communities.”

Kady Perry, Teaching Artist, has been working in public art since 2010, when she launched the website QuarterYellow and opened JungleScience Gallery and Art Laboratories. As an educator, grants administrator, muralist, and talent agent, she helps artists find opportunities to advance their careers. She teaches an undergraduate art course on street art topics at the State University of New York. Kady has spearheaded over twenty community and private public mural projects. She has strong ties in the creative communities of Binghamton, Newburgh and Brooklyn.

“Art is the language I prefer to use to communicate with the world.”

Julia Kito Kirtley, Teaching Artist Assistant was born and raised in Compton, California. She has lived in Brooklyn for the past 20 years.

Kito is Graduate of Pratt Institute with a BA in Interior design. She is inspired by New York ‘s urban environment as well as the sound of music and the movement of dancers.

Her abstract paintings of cityscapes often serve as the foundation of her three dimensional exhibitions.

Kito is also a Teaching Artist at The Museum of Arts & Design, where she teaches multimedia to elementary and middle school children. This is her third year with CAW’s Public Art Youth Employment Program.

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About the Public Art Youth Employment Program

The Creative Art Works Public Art Youth Employment Program gives teens and young adults 14-24 years of age full-time summer jobs and part-time jobs after school to create large-scale public art and multimedia projects. Our Youth Apprentices are guided by professional teaching artists and executive staff from the initial concept development through client presentation, to the final brush stroke and public unveiling. 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) improves the lives of thousands of NYC youth each year through in-school and out-of-school-time classes, community art-making events, and youth employment creating large-scale public art or multimedia projects.

Working in public schools, community centers, parks and libraries, CAW provides dynamic arts 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.

www.creativeartworks.org

This program was made possible, in part, with funding from the Summer Youth Employment Program of the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and these generous supporters:

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“With art, it’s not only about making people see something, it’s also about making them feel something.”

-- Elsie Vidal

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 © 2015 Creative Art Works. All rights reserved.

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