COMMUNITY ART CONNECTIONS

The week of June 20th, rising 6-8th graders enrolled in the Summer Arts Institute's Community Art Connections camp learned how the visual arts can be a catalyst for positive change. Through various hands-on projects lead by alumni artist Annabel Manning, students were inspired to make their own unique connection with the community.

On the first day of camp, students were introduced to the work of John Osorio-Buck and his installation Future Home of the Future who while in residence, created a trebuchet that launched wildflower seed packets into a vacant lot. Using Osorio-Buck's work as a basis for their first project: guerilla gardening, students created seed bombs out of mud, dirt, and wildflower seeds, which were then launched into the same vacant lot.

Caroline, one of our young artists said: "We did a lot of projects to help the community and help people – stuff you don’t normally do in an art class. I really enjoyed it, and it was a lot of fun!"

Throughout the week, students also painted inspiring designs on canvas bags and filled them with light snacks and toiletries. The bags, each identified by an individual's message and design, were later distributed by the students to those affected by homelessness. And they didn’t stop there, "street art" was next...

Drawing heavily on Romare Bearden’s collage-making techniques, students collaborated on a work of art that incorporated themes of family, nature, and journey. This piece was especially exciting for the students because upon its completion, the work of art was installed at an empty building on 7th Street in Uptown.

This was the first year Community Arts Connections was offered during the Summer Arts Institute and it won't be the last! One student, Deana, was particularly surprised at how much she enjoyed the class. "I thought it was going to be a regular painting class... But it turned out to be helping others through art and giving to people who really needed it. The class was awesome!” The Center's staff and education team was so inspired and excited by the enthusiasm of each student, that we are already drafting ideas for our next youth community art project!


McColl Center for Visual Art would like to thank Daniel Levine and Arts and Science Council.