The Legacy of Community Artistic Expression
I strive to continue building upon the blueprint that the arts and creative expression are essential to community and society to heal and thrive. Below are some examples that highlight my community art programming.
The Clay Studio of Philadelphia and Cecil B. Moore Library
Clay, Play, Read!
Griot Story Guardian Sculptures
|
This was a wonderful project where we explored the intersection between clay making, literacy and storytelling with The Clay Studio of Philadelphia and Cecil B. Moore Library in Philadelphia. I was inspired by the importance of West African griots in particular. We all have our storytellers in our various cultures. Griots are vital to their communities and they are key to passing down the information for and from generations. In this project I wanted participants to know that they are Griots too and they each carry their own story and experienced that if shared we can learn from or enjoy. Each community member took the time to create a clay figure that represented them or a story that they knew. Each one of these sculptures was made to guard the stories and passion of each creator. They now sit permanently in the Cecil B. Moore Library in North Philadelphia to guard the other stories and be enjoyed by others. To learn more about these projects click the links below: www.theclaystudio.org/playeverywhere www.theclaystudio.org/exhibitions/cecil-b-moore-library-griot drive.google.com/file/d/1njXzS7LrNazQT52UMbgMxvdSwl3yiEZG/view?usp=sharing |
|
|
The African American Museum in Philadelphia
Anna Russel Jones Exhibition
|
Anna Russel Jones was an African American artist, nurse, illustrator and textile designer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jones became the first African American graduate of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women. Along with the first African American woman from Philadelphia to join the Armed Forces during World War II.
After coming from the war, Jones went to school at Howard University, a historically Black college in Washington D.C where she studied medical illustration. Afterwards, Jones returned to Philadelphia and worked and Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia as a nurse and later as an medical illustrator. In this project youth and families engaged in learning about medical illustration as Anna Russel Jones may have done. There were options of learning about the hand, eyeball and heart. This also encouraged conversations of creative careers. Learn more about Anna Russel Jones and the exhibition here: onlineexhibits.aampmuseum.org/anna-russell-jones/home/ hsp.org/blogs/archival-adventures-in-small-repositories/anna-russell-jones-a-life-full-of-firsts |
|
Chestnut Hill Library: Free Library of Philadelphia
|
Philadelphia Phlox Phlower
Botanical Illustration
Watercolor pencil and ink on paper
2024
|
Philadelphia Museum of Art:
|
|
Celebrating Juneteenth Philadelphia
Celebrating Juneteenth is something that is very important to me.
Through research, project based learning and art making I am able to support community members in learning about the significance of Juneteenth and it's ideals of liberation. I think it is important to convey these ideas, histories and narratives to understand how we live today as Black people living in the United States. As an art educator I strive to support learning about Juneteenth throughout the year and not simply in June. To avoid being performative educators should strive to build intention all year round around within K-12 education learning the impact of this time period in American history. Participants in my workshops learn the significance of the Juneteenth Flag and Black Liberation Flags. Participants were able to create their own flag and choose the colors and patterns that best represent themselves and their ideas of self expression and liberation. |
|
Summer Search and Amber Arts and Design:
Environmental Justice Brigade
Every summer for the past few years I have had the privilege of working with Sumer Search Philadelphia and Amber Art and Design where we connect with local Philadelphia high school age youths who are interested and concern with environmental issues that affect us as Philadelphians.
Through project based learning, art making, research and outdoor experiences youth were able to gain a wide perspective of ways we can all combat issues of the environment. Some topics we discussed were, trash disposal, illegal dumping, supporting Philadelphia's natural habitats and water safety. All of these issues are connected to the well being of our city.
For their final project , youth were to research and create a mini zine about their topic. It think creating zines are a great technique and practice because you can intersect art, literacy and shared information.
Through project based learning, art making, research and outdoor experiences youth were able to gain a wide perspective of ways we can all combat issues of the environment. Some topics we discussed were, trash disposal, illegal dumping, supporting Philadelphia's natural habitats and water safety. All of these issues are connected to the well being of our city.
For their final project , youth were to research and create a mini zine about their topic. It think creating zines are a great technique and practice because you can intersect art, literacy and shared information.
Philly Liberation Center: Colors Of Liberation
|
This was such an amazing workshop. Thank you to the Philly Liberation Center. I have been wanting to expand on the of the color in Pan African Flag.
In the workshop I wanted to share the origins and its significance in not only African American symbols of identity , but in other countries claiming their independence for their colonial rulers. I love the colors red, Black an green and I am following the footsteps of artists such as the AfriCobra Collective, Kerry James Marshall and Faith Ringgold. |
|
Woman's History Month: Free Library of Philadelphia
|
For this years Women's History Month I focused on African America women in the armed forces at local Philadelphia libraries.
Families utilized collage techniques and discussed the lives and the legacy of Anna Russel Jones, Susie Baker King, Harriet Tubman, The Black Women of the 6888 and Cathay Williams. These women made pivotal contributions to the armed forces. Check out these wonderful artworks. To learn more about these women click on the link below: www.nabmw.org/history-of-black-women-in-the-milit |
|
African American Museum in Philadelphia: liberation Story Quilts
|
In this workshop participants learned about the quilt patterns that were made by sewers and quilters of Gees's Bend; along with the quilted patterns and symbols enslaved Africans used to communicate and tell stories during slavery.
We talked about how many of the patterns and symbols referred to natures, animals and landscape. Enslaved Africans emancipating themselves needed to know their surrounding landscapes, herbs and waterways. Participants did a phenomenal job creating their own patterns while thinking of their own personal stories. To learn more about the artistry of Gee's Bend check out this link: www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/fabric-of-their-lives-132757004/ |
|
African American Museum in Philadelphia: Ruth Carter Exhibition- Fashion Illustration
|
This was a fantastic workshop where participants were able to be inspired by the exhibition of Ruth Carter's retrospective of her career in costume design films such as Do The Right Thing, Black Panther, Malcom x and Amistad.
Participants were able to tap into an aspect of her process of sketching and fashion illustration designs and they were able to create their own fashions using various fabrics and other mixed media. Each illustration had so much personality and flare. They all did such a great job! To learn more about Ruther Carter and this exhibition check out these links: globalphiladelphia.org/news/ruth-e-carter-exhibit-and-book-showcase-innovation-and-representation-costume-design www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/ruth-e-carter hollywoodauthentic.com/ruth-carter/ |
|