My Old School is Gone

School #21

This is a photo of Victor Mravlag School #21 in Elizabeth, NJ. The school was recently demolished so a new bigger and more modern building can be built. I attended this school in the 1970's. It saddens me that this unique castle-like school, built in 1930, could not be saved. It was the focal point of the neighborhood. I am posting this photo as a reminder that this weekend is the S.O.S. (Save Our Schools) March in Washington, D.C. (see links at my sidebar) Thousands of educators, including Diane Ravitch, will be marching in Washington to protest test driven education reform and corporate takeover of our schools. I am thankful that so many educators are speaking out and standing up for what is right. I am working on a mixed media art piece about my old school and I will post a picture of it here at my blog. So many great memories. I hope we can save our schools.

The Villas' New Kitchen

New Teaching Experiences

I taught art at the Chemo Circus today to young kids undergoing chemotherapy treatments.They seemed to really have fun with model magic clay (so did the volunteers.) We made glitzy medallions and festive decorative bowls. Wow, what a bunch of courageous kids, families, and staff.

I am really enjoying my new adventures in teaching. This past summer I taught inner city kids at a neighborhood center. They were so interested in learning how to draw the figure using scale. I would love to do this kind of work full time.

Lost and Found Art Work

The Arts and Social Capital

This is a piece I wrote last year. During an economic crisis, the arts can help revitalize a city.

I don't have a background in economics or sociology, but I know that the term social capital refers to the value of meaningful human interaction-- cooperation, understanding, building trust, bridging social gaps, easing ethnic tensions. High social capital strengthens a community. Low social capital leads to an intolerant and corrupt society and citizens who are apathetic about their local government. It becomes difficult to identify problems and find solutions. Crime increases. The concept of social capital has been obscured by our current economic panic.

Community arts events and artist groups help to build social capital which can result in actual capital for a city. Therefore, cultural events should not be eliminated when a city is struggling. The arts should not be viewed as just peripheral activities in a city.

A 1996 study found that two thirds of all major city arts agencies in the US were involved in crime prevention, 9 out of 10 involved in helping at risk youth, 9 out of 10 involved in raising cross-cultural awareness (Source: United States Urban Federation, June 1996 Report on the Arts Councils in the 50 largest US cities). So putting the arts on the back burner is not a good idea if a city wants to improve. Smart government leaders can see the interconnectedness and synergy of it all, and the value of the arts. It's more than just pretty pictures for your walls, and it's not just a luxury reserved for the wealthy class.

In Italy, a study of Italian regional government found a strong relationship between the number of choral societies and the effectiveness of government. Apparently, communities that sing together are happy with their government! (Source: Robert D. Putnam, Making Democracy Work, 1993.)

There is a mountain of evidence that arts programs keep kids safe, prevent crime, and beautify shabby neighborhoods.

Art also brings joy to people's lives, and joy makes us more willing to reach out and connect with each other. (Source: Michael Argyle, In Pursuit of the Quality of Life, 1996).

When people attend a cultural event or join a community arts group, they can discover shared understandings. When they participate in creating art, music, or dance, they can learn from each other, become more accepting of differences, respect each other more, and build friendships. The arts are unique in that way.

Dollars and cents aren't the only way to define a successful society. For example, in Canada they developed "Canada's Genuine Progress Index"(GPI) which is a measure of national well being > http://www.gpiatlantic.org/gpi.htm It has five parts: time use (volunteerism, housework and childcare, leisure time), natural capital, human and social capital, human impact on the environment, and living standards. Perhaps we should develop something like this in the U.S., because the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) does not measure human well being.

The GDP shows how much income we produce, but not how it is distributed-- and we know there has been a growing gap between the rich and poor in America.

Bob Lynch, President of Americans for the Arts, estimated that 10,000 arts organizations in the U.S. will close their doors this year. That's 10% of all arts organizations. Maybe during tough economic times, the non-profits and the arts institutions need to find new ways to demonstrate the value of the arts. Perhaps a model for assessing social capital is needed. People will spend time and money on something they feel is valuable in their lives.

I believe we need to create more social capital. Here are 150 things you can do to help create more social capital in Allentown > http://www.bettertogether.org/150ways.htm

Regiftables Only

Chen Arts Cube Project

I am currently working on a 2 foot plexiglass cube, which will be part of a grant project with the Allentown Chen Arts Group. There will be 13 artists participating and each artist has received a clear plexiglass cube to do whatever he/she wants with, and the cubes will be exhibited together as an installation at the Arts Park in June, with the theme of re-urbanization. How cool! A diverse group of artists coming together in downtown Allentown in the spirit of renewing the city.

My first instinct was to fill the cube with something. I thought about the city moving forward and embracing a growing community, building much needed social capital, but at the same time recycling some ideas that worked in the past. For example Max Hess Jr. said "Be the first, be the best, and be entertaining." It worked. Hess's department store in Allentown PA was known worldwide for cutting edge couture, mile high strawberry pie, fancy chandeliers, flower shows, celebrities, the French Room(ooh la la), the topless bathing suit(double ooh la la). People flocked to downtown Allentown to experience Hess's. People felt special at Hess's. Yeah, I know, Hess's is not coming back, and we gotta move forward, but today's Allentown needs to raise the bar high, like Hess's strawberry pie.

That's all I am going to give away for now. Still working on this concept. Stay tuned!

13 Artist Cubes will be displayed at the Allentown Arts Park on Saturday June 19th, opening 1pm-4pm during the Allentown Freak Out Festival. Then the cubes will be on display in the community room of the Baum School of Art for a few weeks. Thanks Rudy Ackerman!

Cat's Paw

American Housewife

Woman

Nature sculpture

Fading Future (Panel)

Gina Goes Dutch

Graduating Class

Wooden Spaceship

Late Night

Brush Your Teeth

Til Death

Beauty Zone

Til Death 2

Prom Night

Instant Artfast

Turned On, Tuned Out

June's Glove

Prize Rush of '69

Mixed Media