Totem Poles, Cave Paintings and a Thunderous Reception
PYRAMIDS, TOTEM POLES AND CAVE PAINTINGS
Creative Art Works and the JCC Bring the World to PS 163
Visitors to the culminating event at the CAW culminating event for the art component of the JCC Math and Literacy Camp at PS 163 were treated to an immersive experience.
This Summer, Creative Art Works partnered with the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan (JCC) to provide an integrated art unit at the Math and Literacy Camp at PS 163. Students studied monumental artwork from different periods and cultures in history, including the cave drawings of Lascaux, totem poles from Pacific Northwest indigenous cultures, and Egyptian architecture.
Teaching Artist Lauren Genutis and Teaching Artist Assistant Karen Zasloff created a memorable culminating event for the program on August 30th. An estimated 120 visitors, including students, PS 163 teachers and principal Donny Lopez, Volunteer Tutors from JCC and CAW and JCC Admin, walked through a simulated cave to view student-created cave paintings, and then emerged on the other side into a forest of totem poles and Egyptian monuments.
CAW Teaching Artist Lauren Genutis and Teaching Artist Assistant Karen Zasloff light up the student-produced art, based on the paleolithic cave paintings from Lascaux, France .
Students in the JCC Math and Literacy Camp produced towers and spires based on ancient Egyptian monumental structures.
The free Math and Literacy camp was designed to help students keep their academic skills sharp over the summer. Both CAW and the JCC recognize that students who participate in creative activities are more engaged in their own learning and form deeper connections to core subjects than students who do not have the opportunity to exercise their creativity.
SUNSHINE ON A CLOUDY DAY
JLL Volunteers Visit CAW Summer Work Sites
The JLL volunteers and CAW Youth Apprentices and teaching staff at the West Harlem Group Assistance Mural, which is adjacent to City Council Member Mark Levine's district office.
JLL Volunteers painting at West Harlem Group Assistance.
On, Thursday, fifteen volunteers from Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), one of CAW’s biggest supporters, visited two CAW work sites. The plan was for the JLL Volunteers to join our Youth Apprentices and teaching staff and take part in painting the outdoor murals at West Harlem Group Assistance (WHGA) and Renaissance School of the Arts (RSA) but thunderstorms forced us to improvise and bring the activities inside.
At West Harlem Group, the JLL volunteers joined the apprentices in an indoor painting exercise. They stood shoulder to shoulder with our kids and made art together.
“The day we spent with the Creative Arts Works team at WHGA was truly inspiring. Our team could have painted all day. What surprised us most was how special these kids are, how organically the dialogue unfolded between both of our groups and how thoughtful the art was. We went into the day thinking we were there just to help the kids but we left believing that we were the ones who really benefited from the experience.”
Kat Benscome, holding a golden apple from Greek mythology, encourages the JLL Volunteers to develop their creativity.
“...Even if you don’t know how to paint, you should at least try.”
At Renaissance, the apprentices treated their guests to a run-through of the short skit they will be presenting at the Monday, August 10th, unveiling. JLL volunteer Shanté Pumphrey was impressed by the high caliber of the performance and impressed to see that elements of Greek mythology threaded into the plotline. She was equally inspired to see themes of community threaded through the images of the RSA mural.
“At JLL, everyone plays a part in bringing value to the organization. I could see the same thing happening with these smart, focused young people. Everyone contributed to the creation of the mural. Everyone has a part to play. ”
Shaunté Pumphrey at Renaissance School of the Arts