art/vision/voice - Maryland Institute College of Art

92 art / vision / voice
A project that began as a social justice-focused look at gang life had been
transformed—through relationship-building and reciprocity that tapped
the creativity of all the participants — to a site-specific set of digital
windows in a school for difficult learners and teen mothers. As the youth,
in partnership with the csumb students, began to imagine their own
natural world, they created images of skateboarding over volcanoes, teen
mothers raising their tree-like branches high in the forest to lift up their
babies, and young men shooting hoops over Meso-American pyramids.
The dazzling images of beautiful young women parting tidal waves,
stormy skies, and fiery forests all provided a glimpse into the emotional
lives of the youth and out to the world they dreamed of entering.
Upon completion of the project the school organized an unveiling
with a ribbon cutting ceremony honoring Mike Chavez for his
dedication to the Watsonville youth. csumb students and faculty saw
their work come to life and they experienced reciprocity.
elizabeth This project was a good way for the art students and the
youth to learn from one another. The self-portraits helped [the
youth to] tell their own stories and not have artists tell their story
for them. For the csumb art students it was the first moment of
knowing what it was to create in, with, and for the community.
duane The moment I knew we had succeeded with the project was
when I saw the student’s faces when the project was unveiled to the
school staff and students. Nothing but smiles and praise!
johanna I saw the [university] students for the first time understanding
their power as artists doing something positive for the community.
This project passed all boundaries of age and race. It was very
inspiring for those involved.
mike The university students helped the kids express themselves and
they understood their feelings.
The last day of celebration brought the shy young woman, whose
beautiful image parts the water in one of the windows, to the stage to
give testimony about the value of this project. Later, a small graffiti mark
was found on the face of the girl parting waters, and the ruap team
was told that since that student had transferred to a regular high
school there was animosity towards her from those who remained at
the continuation school. Within two years, the windows were moved to
a large sunny cafeteria where they can be better seen, and the dark
hallway remains behind.
an unveiling event brought together
participants and others to celebrate
their accomplishment and honor
their counselor, mike chavez.