NEW YORK CITY FAMILY COURT GUIDEBOOK
Presentation:
Wednesday, August 13th
1:00 — 2:00 p.m.
Manhattan Family Court
60 Lafayette Street 10th floor Library
About the Project
In our first digital arts project for the NYC Family Court, CAW Youth Apprentices designed a printed guidebook to help visitors understand the people and procedures that strive to protect NYC families at all five NYC County Courthouses. The publication centers on the youth perspective and was implemented with the support of the NYS Unified Court System, Office for Justice Initiatives.
Hazza Block, Teaching Artist
Sofi Pujol, Teaching Artist
Cristyana Navas, Teaching Artist Assistant-in-Training
From Executive Director Karen Jolicoeur
This summer, CAW hired 135 NYC teens and young adults for our Public Art Youth Employment program and handed them tremendous responsibility. We once again entrusted these Youth Apprentices (YAs) to lend their skills, talents, grit, and humanity to major corporations and public institutions, knowing that they will deliver a stunning work of art. We’ve done this every summer for decades, and we are always inspired—though we can no longer say we are completely surprised—by what they create!
This year, our YAs painted four stunning murals or large-scale paintings. One series of panels offers hope and compassion to visitors in a waiting area at Kings County Family Court. An interior mural creates a welcoming and inclusive teen space in the Grant Houses Cornerstone Center in Morningside Heights. An expansive exterior mural at the Jacob H. Schiff Campus in West Harlem celebrates the local community. Finally, long-time supporter BXP has commissioned an abstract work for its marketing centers; the five canvases, which work together or separately, evoke the natural world and create a welcoming space.
We also assembled two multimedia teams this summer. A team of young graphic artists has designed a welcoming and informative printed guidebook for the five county courthouses within the NYC Family Court system. At the same time, a crew of young filmmakers produced a compelling and moving portrait of some of the many kinds of artists who call West Harlem home.
What our teams produced this summer is nothing short of remarkable. Of course, it’s true that our staff and Teaching Artists set our YAs up for success with instruction, mentorship, encouragement, and support. Still, we never lose sight of what our young people bring to the table: their boundless capacity to contribute, to lead, and to enrich their communities through their fresh perspective and authentic expression.
Their extraordinary accomplishments serve as a powerful testament to the boundless potential residing within our youth. We hope you share our deep sense of optimism as we look forward to a future shaped by their talent and vision.
Yours sincerely,
Karen Jolicoeur Executive Director
Alicia Lee
Alicia Lee was born in South Carolina and lives in Harlem. She is a student at Frederick Douglass Academy. This is her first time working with Creative Art Works. She enjoys working on art projects in school, and spends her free time drawing, going to The Boys & Girls Club, playing video games, and going to the movies. The things she loves the most are her family and friends, boyfriend, her phone, and music. She is known for being the quiet one.
Apollo Serrano
Apollo Serrano, who uses all pronouns, is a recent high school graduate hailing from New York City. This is her first year working with CAW. Despite choosing the path of becoming an educator, their continued interest in the arts motivated them to work with the CAW Multimedia team this summer. He hopes this experience with CAW exposes him to new and creative styles of teaching, putting an end to boring lectures in learning spaces. Apollo likes reading, summer nights, and all things loud.
Arthur Avery
Arthur M. Avery IV is from East Harlem in Manhattan. He is transferring from Guttman Community College to The Borough of Manhattan Community College, where he will study psychology. This is his first job with CAW. Some hobbies that he enjoys include reading horror and mystery books, urban photography, and archery, which he finds particularly relaxing. He prides himself on his sharp navigation skills, and is most known for his tall height and love for games. Through this CAW experience, Arthur is acquiring skills in graphic design, InDesign, and public speaking, as well as making friends.
Ashley Benavides
Ashley Benavides is from the South Bronx and is currently a sophomore at John Jay College, where she is obtaining a degree in criminal justice and sociology. While in high school, she designed costumes, assisted with production, and set up the stage for a school production, as well as creating a personal portfolio of artwork. Ashley enjoys working on character designs and working on projects with friends. This is her first time working with CAW, where she is learning new skills such as InDesign, creating new work, and branching out her artistic abilities for future projects.
Ava Martinez
Diego Ramos Ferrera
Diego Ramos Ferrera was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, before moving to New York. He is currently a student at Kingsbridge International High School, where he continues to grow both academically and personally. Diego has a strong interest in music and also enjoys working with technology. He enjoys fixing and repairing electronics, and this hands-on experience has helped him develop problem-solving skills. This is Diego’s first job with CAW, and he is excited to learn and grow. He values the opportunity to work in a creative environment and the support and friendship of his teammates.
Ava Martinez is a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology majoring in Illustration. She grew up in Jamaica, Queens. Illustration is the easiest way for her to express herself; she especially enjoys character art, but is able to illustrate anything she puts her mind to. Ava has created logos for businesses and concept art for various clients. She can always put the first thing her brain thinks of on paper. Working with CAW, she has been happy to learn industry standard programs that she will utilize in her career. She looks forward to further connecting with her art community.
Ijeoma Umelo
Ijeoma Umelo, who uses she/her pronouns, is a 20-year-old college junior born in the Bronx to Nigerian immigrants. Her experience in past projects consists of using various materials such as sketching pencils and charcoal. She spends her free time planning out artwork, looking through various references for inspiration, digitally creating artwork based on her original sketches and her quirky mannerisms. While working with CAW, she most enjoys exploring any of the Adobe apps that she could use for digital design.
Jacob Bellber
Jacob Bellber is 16 years old and a senior at DREAM Charter High School. He first started drawing as a young child, and has since grown to enjoy it, though he does not consider it his main hobby––these days, he mostly enjoys fighting games of any kind, but also appreciates other genres, like citybuilders, rhythm games, and platformers. Joining Creative Art Works this summer has given him more opportunity to better refine his art skills, and he hopes what he learns at CAW will help in his aspirations to be an animator and game developer.
Jahlitza Hernandez
Jahlitza Hernandez is a rising high school senior from the Bronx. Her background in art includes sculpture, paper-mache, screen-printing and more. Jahlitza spends most of her time with her family and her dog. Jahlitza particularly enjoys writing, painting, and sculpting. She often wonders about what she can do to make an impact. Jahlitza is known for her bluntness, honesty, and friendliness. This is her first time working with CAW, and she finds that the best thing about it is the opportunity to meet new people and experience new things.
Jaime Tirado
Jaime Tirado is a sixteen-year-old rising senior from Morris Heights attending the Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics. He enjoys drawing and experimenting with different styles, as well as creating graphics in his free time. His goal is to go professional and create special pieces for the world to see. He is also interested in sports, basing most of his graphic designs off of different sports themes and aesthetics. This is his first year working with CAW, and he is using this opportunity to gain professional experience, build connections with people, and also improve his artistic skills.
Julian Fajardo
Julian Fajardo is a born and raised New Yorker beginning his studies at FIT this fall. This is his first time working with CAW. He has experience with t-shirt design and printing, and spends his time reading, illustrating fashion sketches, and experimenting with a plethora of art media. His time with CAW has broadened his knowledge of Adobe programs and graphic design principles by providing him with in-depth experiences with design. This job has also allowed him to connect with likeminded individuals with similar interests and passions. He hopes to carry his new skills into the future.
Kelsy Del Valle
Kelsy Del Valle is a junior at the Fashion Institute of Technology majoring in advertising and marketing communications. She is a graphic design and social media Intern at the Center for Justice Innovation, where she supports digital content creation and communications. In her free time, Kelsy enjoys engaging in women’s sports and shooting film photography. Her ultimate aspiration is to work in sports media, combining her passion for design and storytelling to elevate women’s athletics; working with organizations like the WNBA, NWSL, or NCAA Women’s Basketball, which help grow the visibility and impact of women’s sports.
Back Row (standing): Jacob Bellber, Lucas Colón, Kevin Deleon, Julian Fajardo, Diego Ramos Collier, Teaching Artist Sofia Pujol, Jahlitza Hernandez,
Front Row (kneeling): Teaching Artist Hazza Block, Leomarys
Ramos Ferrera, Ashley Benavides, Ijeoma Umelo, Kelsy Del Valle, Arthur M. Avery IV, Samariah Hernandez, Teaching Artist Assistant-in-Training Cristy Navas
Leomarys Leon Diaz, Lydia Jessamy, Jaime Tirado, Ava Martinez
Kevin Deleon
Kevin Deleon is an Afro-Latino Dominican/ Honduran born and raised in the South Bronx. Kevin is an artist at heart and isn’t afraid to branch out. He attended a software engineering program, Marcy Lab School, where he took a full course in JavaScript, HTML and CSS. Because of the work he did there, he views collaboration as a value that is paramount, and one he has taken away from his time working at CAW.
“Whether it be a block of code, a pen or pencil, let me show you my piece of reality; I’m here to create.”
Leomarys Leon Diaz
Leomarys Leon Diaz is a 17-year-old aspiring entrepreneur. Her passions lie in aesthetics, art, and tech. She was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the Bronx. This is her first job with Creative Art Works. Previously, Leomarys completed tech-based internships and various other creative projects and acquired a nail specialty license. She enjoys learning new skills. Leomarys spends her time working on personal social media marketing and financial strategy for her nail business. As she enters college, Leomarys plans to continue working in this direction as well as continuing to explore her love for both art and tech.
Lucas Colón
Lucas Colón, or Luke, is an alumnus of SUNY Purchase College, where he majored in new media. He was born in New York City and raised in the Bronx. This is his third year working with Creative Art Works. For over five years, he has developed and refined his skills in the fields of video editing, photography, animation, and content creation, particularly for YouTube. Luke is now a part of the CAW team working on this graphic design project. He is looking to add this experience to the variety of artistic output that he has been working towards since college.
Lydia Jessamy
Lydia Jessamy was born in The Bronx and attended high school at Longwood Prep. This is her third SYEP job, but her first with CAW. Lydia was involved with her school’s CTE club, where she gained experience with videography and Photoshop and obtained her Premier Pro certificate. She was a photographer for her school and recorded videos for sponsored events. She is a jack-of-all-trades; her multitude of hobbies show how diverse her interests are. She has several sporty hobbies, such as skateboarding, ice skating, and skiing, but also enjoys cozy hobbies like crocheting, drawing, and reading.
Oumou Ba
Oumou Ba is a West African fiber artist living in Brooklyn. She is a rising senior attending an advertising school and uses skills she’s learned to establish a small crochet business. She has a profound passion for fashion, and is making her way through the industry as a fiber artist. She likes to spend her time gaming, editing, or reading. She uses these hobbies as a way to unwind and put her mind at ease during overwhelming times. She also enjoys playing badminton, riding her skateboard, and thrifting. She loves learning new things and sharing her creations on the internet.
Spot illustrations from the guidebook
Samariah Collier
Samariah Collier is a rising high school senior living in the Bronx. Since she was young, she was creative, so naturally she chased that creativity. This led to cultivating hobbies in video editing, scrapbooking, cooking, and dance. At a job fair, Samariah found herself interested in CAW specifically because she wanted to feel more included in her community and feel more positive about herself. As she grows more into her true self, she aims to remain as creative as she is now, as she pursues her goals for the future.
Hazza Block Teaching Artist
Hazza is an interdisciplinary artist and educator in New York City. They have a decade of teaching experience in diverse educational environments, including various arts programs across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and The Bronx. Hazza earned a master's degree in art education from the City College of New York, preceded by a bachelor's degree in graphic design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Their creative practice centers on painting, printmaking, and digital design, while their teaching practice focuses on student choice and creative play. As both an artist and an educator, Hazza is always trying to connect with their community and encourage others to do the same.
Spot illustration from the guidebook
Cristy Navas
Sofia Pujol Teaching Artist
Sofia is an artist and arts educator from Miami, Florida, who now lives in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. She received her BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2016, where she studied general fine arts and animation. Since then, she has been dedicated to arts education in various forms, teaching in settings ranging from public schools and community centers to museums and other arts institutions. Her favorite part of both art-making and art education is the ability of art to empower, uplift, inspire, and connect people. She has curated and shown work in exhibitions in New York, Baltimore, New Jersey, and Switzerland.
Teaching Artist Assistant-in-Training
Cristy began her teaching journey as a tutor at Kumon Math & Reading Center of Bay Ridge from 2021 to 2023. In summer 2024, she served as a Creative Art Works Youth Apprentice, helping create a public mural for New York County Family Court. She has also worked with youth as a summer camp counselor in training at Center for Family Life from 2021 to 2022, and volunteered in their after-school program from 2022 to 2023. Cristy earned her associate in applied science in communication design, cum laude, from the Fashion Institute of Technology in May 2025, and is now pursuing her bachelor of fine arts in advertising and digital design, expected May 2027. She graduated from Brooklyn High School of the Arts in 2023, where she was a National Honor Society member. She specializes in both traditional and digital illustration using Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate, and she loves combining media.
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 premiere. 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 39-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 underserved neighborhoods of New York City, in public schools, recreation centers, foster care facilities, parks, juvenile justice settings, and in the remote environment, CAW provides dynamic creative youth development for those who otherwise lack access. Our programs build confidence, unlock a love of learning, and teach valuable technical and socialemotional skills while creating profound connections between our young constituents, their art and their communities. www.creativeartworks.org
SUPPORTERS
Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation
Creative Art Works’ Public Art Youth Employment program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Creative Art Works’ programming is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
PARTNERS
