Creative Art Works 2019 Schiff Stairway Murals

PUBLIC ART YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SUMMER 2019

EVERYDAY IS A NEW DAY: SUNRISE EVERYDAY IS A NEW DAY: SUNSET

by THE PAINTING SHARKS 1

PUBLIC ART YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SUMMER 2019

Everyday is a New Day: Sunrise Everyday is a New Day: Sunset

by The Painting Sharks Unveiling Celebration Thursday, August 15th, 10:00 AM Jacob Schiff School Campus and Playground 500 West 138th Street, New York, NY Ryan Davis, Teaching Artist Madeline DeLeon, Teaching Artist Assistant About the Mural

A group of part-time Youth Apprentices aged 14 and 15, all recent middle school graduates, painted swirling fantasies on either side of the stairways leading from the street to the the courtyard of Jacob Schiff School Campus, home of CAW’s longstanding educational partners, Hamilton Grange Middle School and PS 192.

The murals flanking the north stairway are dominated by abstract tropical plants in shades of orange, yellow and green. The murals flanking the south stairway feature swirling white clouds on a background of blue and purple. The murals are meant to welcome students as they come to school each day.

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FROM BRIAN RICKLIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Youth Apprentices who call themselves “The Painting Sharks” shared a mission.

During six weeks in July and August, Creative Art Works challenged these six middle school graduates to create four murals for Jacob Schiff School Campus in Hamilton Heights.

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 is destined to be seen by hundreds of students each year. The art had to be true to the voice of the youth, both individually and collectively, but it also had to create a welcoming space for visitors. Finally, the work had to be delivered on time, which created a sense of urgency.

We provide our Youth Apprentices with all the necessary elements for success. Our professional teaching artists equip them 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 14- and 15-yearolds 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 Painting Sharks 4

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Keymi Valero-Lugo Keymi is a 14-year-old girl from Harlem. After graduating from middle school she is ready to move on to high school and pursue her dream of playing softball. In her spare time she likes to do makeup and hairstyles. This is her first time doing something with the arts outside of other minor school projects. Keymi is excited to be part of the Painting Sharks and looks forward to working on and completing this mural.

Elijah Francois Elijah is 14 years old, born and raised in NYC, and is a student at Urban Assembly School of Media Studies. He plays sports and enjoys basketball and soccer. His mother is Dominican and his father is Haitian. He would love to go to college and become an athlete.

Elijah also enjoys painting and drawing because it helps him concentrate on the task. It also helps calm him down.

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Kenny Laporte Hey, Kenny here, the G.O.A.T. When in the process of making art, Kenny loves to listen to music.

It just puts him in the vibe and the right place for making art. When art is in a community, it impacts it in different ways. It shows public art is strong and shows there is a unit of one small area with a big impact.

Martysha Carrasco Martysha is a 14-year-old aspiring basketball player and/or veterinarian.

She really likes playing basketball because it’s a competitive sport, keeps her focused, and requires leadership.

She also loves working with animals.

If she had the chance to help them, she would take the chance. She likes drawing too and enjoys creating art.

It keeps her relaxed and engaged.

Martysha feels that art brings people together. Becoming a veterinarian means being caring, having a big heart and commitment to the job.

These qualities Martysha aspires to acquire.

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Tymel Nettles Tymel is 15 years old and was raised in Harlem. He is now a freshman at Pace High School. In the future, he would love to pursue his dream of making it in the NBA. The studio space he enjoys being in has music and a relaxing atmosphere – whatever makes him comfortable while working on his art.

Madeline DeLeon, Teaching Artist Assistant Madeline is a 22-year-old artist, born and raised in NYC. She is a recent college graduate, and a former CAW Youth Apprentice.

Madeline graduated with honors, receiving academic excellence in her major of animation & motion graphics. In the fall of 2019, she will continue to pursue a higher degree in animation. As a Teaching Artist Assistant, Madeline channels her inner superhero. She strives to inspire those around her, helping them elevate their skills, and build their arsenal. She is proficient in storytelling through animation, digital art, comic book illustration, filmmaking and videography.

Madeline will always be known as the metalhead who loves pro wrestling and puns.

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Floyd Thompson Floyd is a 15-years-old from Harlem. He strives to be a professional NBA player. Floyd wants to be a professional NBA player because basketball is a sport he loves to play. It’s a lot of competition, and it helps him take his mind off of things like stress. He would like to try and increase the number of people of color doing positive things with their lives, and help with sportsmanship. To add on qualities he has, his dedication to work helps him succeed. To be a leader is to help whoever he works with and that also includes tenacity, patience, self-control, and most importantly unity. These are all things to apply to Floyd.

Ryan Davis, Teaching Artist In addition to his work with CAW, Ryan is the Family Art Project Weekend Coordinator at Wave Hill in Riverdale.

His experience in community art programs include working for The Door in The Bronx and The International Print Center. An Ohio native, he created two billboard-sized banners in downtown Cincinnati and public works for the cities of Bowling Green and Toledo. He received a Palmer Travel Scholarship to developed a community mural project at Sowers Academy Elementary School.

Ryan was also an Assistant Instructor at Young Artists At Work in Toledo. He received his MFA in painting at Ohio University. Currently, Ryan maintains his practice primarily in screen-printing and collage. He has exhibited his work in New York at IPCNY and internationally in Spain and Italy.

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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 2019 Creative Art Works. All rights reserved.

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EVERYDAY IS A NEW DAY: SUNRISE EVERYDAY IS A NEW DAY: SUNSET

by THE PAINTING SHARKS

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Creative Art Works is a 501(c)(3), EIN #13-3638436 Copyright © 2019 Creative Art Works. All rights reserved.

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