I like RISD, but...I also like the outside world. That is why, when I first came to RISD as a sophomore, I immediately took a work study job off-campus at the Providence Children's Museum. I knew I would soon be totally involved in my work and spending all my time in studio, so I wanted to ensure that I would break out of the RISD bubble every so often and interact with non-art-students. The time that I have spent outside of RISD has informed my work more than some of my classes have. Working and volunteering off-campus has provided me with valuable insight into my work and also a good helping of perspective. I have meet many people, and had many conversations that have absolutely nothing to do with art, the food at the Met, or how much we hate charcoal (gasp!).
These conversations have helped me think about my work in an entirely different way, and have sometimes sparked new fascinations or goals. I've learned that I can't think about volunteering or working off-campus as time away from studio; rather, I think of it a process that is essential to informing my work.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
MLK Jr. Day of Service 2012
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of service was an amazing success!! The event was well-organized and had a great turnout both from volunteers and from community participants. Speaking from personal experience, I can say that the face-painting booth was a hit with the students from Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary who participated in the event. Children enjoyed being painted like Batman, Spiderman, lions, tigers, and even bunny rabbits! In addition to having their faces painted, children could create their own jewelry at a bracelet-making station, dance to live singing and music played by two enthusiastic dj's, make their own Martin Luther King Jr. Day t-shirts, and much more!
One RISD student was responsible for facilitating the creation of a mural inspired by Dr. King. He divided his portrait into a grid, and every child and parent was able to decorate a piece of the grid by illustrating a personal 'dream' of their choosing. Thanks to the RISD student's hard work and the willingness of the community members to participate, the entire mural was assembled in just a few hours. The students seemed very proud to know that they had contributed to decoration their school with a brand-new mural honoring its namesake.
In addition, a great pizza lunch was supplied. There also were alternative options for vegetarians, vegans, and/or persons with dietary restrictions, which was thoughtful and inclusive. Families also were able to make their own splatter paintings, fruit stamps, and even have a caricature of their faces drawn! The crowd was steady throughout the event and the turnout was great, especially in light of the cold weather.
It was great to be a part of such a positive, engaging, and inclusive community event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It was a great success for all involved!
One RISD student was responsible for facilitating the creation of a mural inspired by Dr. King. He divided his portrait into a grid, and every child and parent was able to decorate a piece of the grid by illustrating a personal 'dream' of their choosing. Thanks to the RISD student's hard work and the willingness of the community members to participate, the entire mural was assembled in just a few hours. The students seemed very proud to know that they had contributed to decoration their school with a brand-new mural honoring its namesake.
In addition, a great pizza lunch was supplied. There also were alternative options for vegetarians, vegans, and/or persons with dietary restrictions, which was thoughtful and inclusive. Families also were able to make their own splatter paintings, fruit stamps, and even have a caricature of their faces drawn! The crowd was steady throughout the event and the turnout was great, especially in light of the cold weather.
It was great to be a part of such a positive, engaging, and inclusive community event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It was a great success for all involved!
Monday, January 9, 2012
december story of service
i mostly observed during the cityarts empty bowls project. i photographed the kids who had brought their families into the pottery studio. they worked to create bowls that would benefit the amos house. i had never met these kids before but i could tell how invested they are in the after-school programs at cityarts. i was really interested in how the different ages of children affected the dynamic of the studio. they shared their spaces & the pieces they had made with me.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
December Service Stories
As December is coming to an end, I look forward to the end of finals and getting to go home and relax with friends and family. One of the highlights of going home is spending time with my "little sister" Passion. Two years ago, I volunteered at my local Boys and Girls Club. During this time, I met a young mother during my time of service and developed a close relationship with her daughter. We have kept in contact for the past two years and I make it a point to see her every time I am at home on break. Mentoring Passion over the past two years has taught me a lot about myself and serving my community. While I hope to develop a long term relationship with all the children that I mentor, I realize that this is something that I cannot force and it has to happen naturally.
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