Residency: Urban Arts Academy - Tamar Ghidali, Sagirah Shahid, Imani Vaughn-Jones - Total hours: 2 Juxtaposition- Ben Petersen, Johnathan Herrera - Total Hours: 3
Shadowing: Simpson Housing - Melodee Strong - Total hours: 3 hours
This week was officially my last week at Urban Arts Academy. I said my goodbyes and brought a ton of cookies. I assisted Sagirah in the classroom, then we headed outside for the kids' recess. I was so nervous to tell the kids about it being my last day. When it was time to tell everyone about me leaving they were sad to hear that I was going about happy that I bought cookies. Overall it was a good day, I made the most out that day. I got to say my goodbyes and see them all one last time. I want to thank Rosey for opening her class to me and Sagirah for being a trouper and bringing in necessary changes to the classroom.
Shadowing Melodee Strong gets more and more interesting. I am still helping out in the classroom as well as going to Simpson. Melodee does so much for these kids, it's so nice to see. In the class, they played a game that allowed them the chance to gain extra credit points. Not too many teachers would do something like that or let alone give out extra credit. She is always doing something that gives these students the opportunity to go above and beyond. When we got to Simpson housing, we were doing block printing with foam core and pens so the kids wouldn't hurt themselves. They had to make something that made them happy. It was nice to see how Melodee was able to give the kids a new way of making art but more kid-friendly.
At Juxta, the work continues. The apprentices are getting closer with their Afro-futurism work. Most of them are starting on proposals, or are editing their proposal. I went around to everyone to check in on how they were doing and I'm seeing some pretty amazing work from them. Ben made his way around too and I decided to sit in on what he had to say. I find it helpful whenever he does his sit-ins because I end up learning something about design that I didn't know. He was able to give one of the apprentices some really good advice on designing their proposal. Made so much sense and I couldn't believe that I didn't think about myself. The presentation is everything in advertising and if this is something the apprentice wants to put on their portfolio the proposal should be designed as well. I think I am getting close to what I should teach them. There won't be lab next week so I'll have time to really get everything down on paper.
