Current 2010 Blog Entries

Present| Dec - Oct 2009 |Sept - July 2009
June - Apr 2009 | March - Jan 2009
Dec - Nov 2008 | Oct 2008 | Sept 2008
Aug 2008 | July - June 2008 | May - Apr 2008

 

 

Monday, July 19, 2010 ~ Josh's Transformation

Josh started coming to the Art Center two years ago. He participated in our Teen Apprenticeship Programs (making scenery for a play and building an arbor in the Garden). Back when we first knew him, Josh was a long-haired, laid back teenager. He recently finished his first year of high school at Carver Military Academy and has his head shaved. Josh showed us his report card--all A's and he is ranked first in his class out of 158 students. We are so proud of him and hope he keeps up the hard work. We expect great things from him in his future!

 

 

Monday, July 12, 2010 ~ Cooking Class

	Cooking class is back at the Art Center! Lead by University of Chicago Summer Links intern, Rachel Marro, kids will be cooking every Thursday this summer. Last week, collard greens were on the menu. Students read the recipe aloud, helped prepare the food, and did a taste test. The recipe was an overwhelming success with kids having seconds (and some even thirds!). One boy, Enrique, we were told, never eats vegetables and LOVED the collards. We sent the rest of the harvest of greens home with the kids, along with the recipe.

 

 

 

Monday, July 5, 2010 ~ Stone Carving

The interns have begun! We hired 5 local teenagers to work this summer through After School Matters. Last week, local artist Roman Villarreal taught them stone carving. They worked several hours a day with tools like chisels, hammers and a dremel. It was hard work and they learned a lot.

 

 

 

 

Thursday, June 24, 2010 ~ A Cool Garden Story

	About 5 years ago, it was a very hot summer. We were struggling to keep the garden adequately watered and called on the local fire department to help. One morning they brought over their truck and spent some time cooling off the plants. It was a very interesting sight! Check out the huge sunflowers...

 

 

 

Thursday, June 17, 2010 ~ For the Birds

Kazzi made this bird in an after-school class taught by Studio Manager, Kris. As you can see by the fine craftsmanship, Kazzi spent several sessions on her raven. The armature was made from wire, newspaper and masking tape and covered with plaster gauze. She intricately painted the detail on the wings with a fine brush--not bad for a 3rd grader!

 

 

 

Friday, June 11, 2010 ~ Handmade T-shirts

	After-school classes are winding down. This week kids finished their t-shirts that were designed from hand-cut stencils. They happily modeled them.

 

 

 

Wednesday, June 2, 2010 ~ It's Getting Hot in Here

The temperature is getting hot in Chicago and that means 2 things--school is almost out and things are getting under way in the garden. We have been busy planting and watering. Last week we planted onions, peppers, cabbage, mustard greens, basil, beets, cucumbers, spinach, and tomatoes. There are nearly 30 community members caring for plots in the Artists' Garden. Kids have been getting antsy so last week before class we spent some time drawing with sidewalk chalk.
	We snacked on freshly picked strawberries while we planted.
Sidewalk chalk--always a crowd pleaser...

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 ~ Thanks Tara!

About a year ago, Tara Morin contacted us to volunteer. She wanted to help out with art classes and started assisting with Open Studio. Tara was cheerful, eager to help out and the kids were drawn to her. While assisting, she mentioned that she knew some design programs so if we ever need help creating newsletters, marketing materials, etc., she would be happy to help out. Fast forward to March of this year and we needed some major assistance with the layout of our newsletter. Tara provided her services pro bono, saving us a lot of time and headaches. The newsletters were sent out last month and we are very grateful to Tara for her help.

Thanks so much, Tara! Love, the Art Center

 

 

Friday, May 21, 2010 ~ Blake's Quote

Blake Lenoir, age 23, lives in South Chicago and has been coming to the Art Center to work on his artwork for several years now. He works downtown at an organization called Project Onward that "supports the creative growth of visual artists with mental and developmental disabilities." Blake, an artist with autism, currently has a few pieces on display at Chicago Cultural Center, outside of Project Onward's studio. While checking out his artwork, I noticed his beautiful quote: "I'm trying to make art not just for viewing, but to change people's lives and change the world. If I can do that, then we will be blessed with a greater future on Earth." Check out some of Blake's artwork here.   *This just in---I was handed a Green Festival pass. The artwork on it is Blake's. He also has his artwork on the Green Festival program. Yay Blake!

 

 

Thursday, May 13, 2010 ~ Fun with Gifs

America and Kenya pose with some bird artwork!

Monday, May 10, 2010 ~ Little Boxes

On Wednesdays, kids are making miniature houses in Lisa Tasner's class. Students are thoroughly enjoying designing their rooms (see the disco ball, speakers, and washing machine)! We have some future architects and interior designers in our midst...

 

 

Thursday, May 6, 2010 ~ Woodlawn Outreach Program

The 6-week outreach program in Woodlawn is winding down. We are teaching classes at the Employment Center at 61st & Evans. This week kids made books with a garden theme. Book-making classes are great because students can take them home and write or sketch in them.

 

 

 

Tuesday, May 3, 2010 ~ Shorebank Green Neighbor Award

For the second year in a row, Shorebank has asked us to create their Green Neighbor Award. This year's winner is the Resource Center, a non-profit organization that has led the way in demonstrating innovative techniques for recycling and reusing materials. Congrats!

 

 

 

 

Thursday, April 29, 2010 ~ Parent Workshop

	While we predominantly offer visual art classes for youth, we also offer art workshops for parents at local schools. Schools have money set aside for these programs and the parents really enjoy creating art. Most recently, teacher Maria Villarreal led a mask workshop at JN Thorp Elementary.

 

 

 

Thursday, April 22, 2010 ~ After-School in Englewood

The Center has started to provide after-school programs in Englewood, Washington Park, and Woodlawn. Pictured are kids at Parker Elementary in Englewood. Teaching artist Lisa Tasner is working with a class of 15 kids for 6 weeks. The kids range in age from 5 to 11 years old. They are currently making multi-media sculptures of birds. Englewood, like South Chicago, lacks parks and after-school activities for children. Lisa tells us the kids don't have gym or recess, which makes them very squirrelly during class. This is not an uncommon issue in the communities the Art Center serves.

 

 

 

Saturday, April 17, 2010 ~ Once upon a time

Once upon a time, on Friday, April 9th, students from the South Chicago Art Center visited the Smart Museum of Art in Hyde Park. They went on a docent-lead tour and learned about the artwork there. The kids were eager to answer questions!
After the tour, kids sketched what they found interesting. The group posed for a picture (below).
It was a beautiful and sunny day so the group walked to a nearby park to swing.
They took a break to eat some delicious pizza from Medici on 57th then went back to playing at the park (making sand castles!).

A wonderful time was had by all on that day off from school. The end.

 

 

Friday, April 9, 2010 ~ Artwork...

The kids have been doing some really great artwork--painting, sculptures, and drawings. Below are a few samples!

 

 

Friday, April 2, 2010 ~ Trip to the MCA

	On Tuesday we took a field trip to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). We viewed the show "The Artist's Studio" as well as artwork from the permanent collection. Studio Manager Kris Casey created a scavenger hunt type activity where students had to use their art know-how to fill in answers. In was a fun and creative way to exercise their minds during Spring Break!

 

 

Monday, March 29, 2010 ~ Roman on TV

In case you missed one of our teachers, Roman, on tv (seen entry below), you can watch it by clicking here. Did you see those cute Art Center kids?

 

 

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 ~ Tune In This Weekend!

ABC 7 News came in last week to shoot a segment on teaching artist, Roman Villarreal. "N BEAT: "TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS" will air Saturday, March 27 at 6:00 p.m. with an encore presentation on Sunday, March 28 at 2:00 p.m." "Roman Villarreal is a sculptor with 30-years plus of experience carving stone, alabaster and, more importantly, a legacy in South Chicago working with youth at the South Chicago Ars Center. A former steelworker, we get an intimate look at the artist at work in his studio." To read more, click here.

 

 

 

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 ~ Free Workshops For All Ages

We are offering free family-oriented art workshops every Saturday! Check it out!

 

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 ~ Roman's Sculpture Class

Local artist Roman Villarreal is teaching sculpture in the Center's after-school program. Using clay and foam, kids are learning how to create 3-dimensionally. Here are some of the works our youth have created.

 

 

 

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 ~ Ice Skating Trip

	In January 2009, we took the kids ice skating-- for many it was their first time doing so. Starting in about November, kids brought up this ice skating trip and asked when were going again. By popular demand, we took the kids skating on February 11th and a good time was had by all.   Below are some pictures and just for kicks, here is a video of pictures from last year's skating trip.

 

 

 

Friday, February 19, 2010 ~ Mayor Daley's Landscape Awards

The Artists' Garden continues to win awards thanks to all the hard work of community gardeners and the Summer Links intern we receive every summer from the University of Chicago. This year the Garden won 2nd Place in Mayor Daley's Landscape Awards. Last year it won honorable mention and the two years before that it won 1st Place. Above is a picture of Executive Director, Sarah Ward, with Summer Links intern Lucy Hall and Mayor Richard Daley.

 

 

 

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 ~ "I'm Nobody" Poem

Before class one day, long time Art Center participant America, age 11, wrote a poem to express how she was feeling. We are happy to provide a healthy, creative outlet for these kids! I'm Nobody I am nobody Who are you? Are you one of me too? The sun is gleaming through you But I'm nobody The sun don't go through me at all While you walk through a whole crowd of people And they recognize you But when I walk through the crowd they see nobody Not even a shadow coming Not even a little squeak coming from the floor But when I walk through that door I'm going to be recognized Everywhere I go And I'm going to start a new life NOW that I walked through that door I glow even more And now that I walk on the floor They hear all of my squeaks everywhere!

America doing some drawing

 

 

 

Thursday, February 11, 2010 ~ Tour AND Studio Project!? Yes please!

For our last field trip, we visited the Art Institute, taking public transportation as we always do on field trips. First, kids received a guided tour by a docent and viewed paintings by Van Gogh and Picasso. The tour was followed up with a studio project in the Institute's brand new Education Center (very fancy). The kids had a great time making Victorian avatars while admiring the fantastic view! Not a bad way to spend a day off from school...

Thanks Art Institute for the great experience!

 

 

 

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 ~ Maria's Big Day

Monday, January 25th was a big day for our intern, Maria. Not only was it her 19th birthday but it was her first day of college! She is a freshman at Loyola University and spent her birthday attending her first college classes. We are so proud of her! Maria will continue working at the Art Center as her classes are in the morning and she works here in the afternoon.

 

 

Thursday, January 28, 2010 ~ Sculpture Class

This session, Tuesdays are "Sculpture Day" at the Art Center, taught by local artist Roman Villarreal. This is the first time many participants have worked with the material, balsa foam, and the first time many have tried sculpting. It provides a challenge by having kids think in a 3-D way.

Maria, above, is working on a large-scale piece.

 

 

Saturday, January 23, 2010 ~ Cramped Quarters

The Art Center continues to be the place for kids to go in the neighborhood. There have been 20+ kids participating in our after-school program each day. If you've been in the Art Center, you know this makes for cramped quarters! But, we are happy to give kids something constructive to do after-school! (And we hope one day to have a bigger Art Center.) Here are some pictures from "Ben & Cody's Painting Class" that takes place on Fridays.

 

 

 

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 ~ Starry Night

Yesterday, kids learned about the life of famous artist Vincent Van Gogh. Using "Starry Night" as their inspiration, kids created their own mixed media pieces using chalk, colored pencils, black construction paper, and paint.

 

 

 

Wednesday, January 6, 2010 ~ Jackets and cameras and gifts - oh my!

	Nadia, age 7, created this camera as a direct representation of a camera the Art Center was able to give her for Christmas. This holiday season the Art Center was able to presents through a program funded by the South Shore Hospital and give coats with a program funded by the South Chicago Chamber of Commerce.
This is one of the things I love about the South Chicago community-- that organizations are able to work together for the betterment of the children and families. This holistic approach to community gives us all more strength and support. Roosevelt, age 10, models his new coat

 

 

Present| Dec - Oct 2009 |Sept - July 2009
June - Apr 2009 | March - Jan 2009
Dec - Nov 2008 | Oct 2008 | Sept 2008
Aug 2008 | July - June 2008 | May - Apr 2008