Digital Arts and Design
Young Artists Look to the Future
This summer, Creative Art Works employed over 150 young people through our public art youth employment programs. About half of those Youth Apprentices participated in multimedia workforce programs. This group was sub-divided into cohorts, each specializing in one of three disciplines: documentary filmmaking, animated storytelling, and graphic arts.
While all of CAW's youth employment is grounded in social justice, this was especially true for the multimedia teams who tackled subjects including global warming and environmental degradation, police and prison reform, and access to affordable healthcare and housing. Industry professionals and experts on criminal and environmental justice met with our YA’s on a weekly basis to advise them on the issues and help them craft a compelling message.
We invite you to sample some of the many videos and images created by our Youth Apprentices.
Documentary Films
We present three short yet evocative films on environmental degredation, the housing crisis, and prison reform.
Animated Storytelling
Animation is an effective way of addressing serious issues. The media is fun, the message is powerful.
Graphic Arts
Youth Apprentices in this cohort explored a variety of strategies to combine words and images to create a powerful message.
Creative Art Works Teaching Staff
Alinna Diaz-Porro, Graphic Design Teaching Artist
Abriana Jade Rafik, Graphic Design Teaching Artist Assistant
Rich Nova Milne, Animation Teaching Artist
Joey Jimenez, Animation Teaching Artist Assistant
Rebecca Goyette, Film Teaching Artist
Jana Smith, Film Teaching Artist Assistant
Special Thanks
We are grateful to the following professionals who offered their time and expertise every week to speak with our Youth Apprentices on issues of criminal and environmental justice.
Criminal Justice Reform panelists
Hon. George Villegas, Justice for the Bronx County Supreme Court
Virginia Torres-Villegas, MA, Director of the New York City Family Court Mediation Program
Rodney Goulding Jr., retired NYPD detective
Phillip C. Hamilton, Managing Partner at Hamilton Clarke, LLP and formerly from The Bronx Defenders
Environmental Justice panelists
Elliot Avi Gitler, co-producer of the Audubon Mural Project and founder of Gitler &_____ Gallery
Jessica Maffia, Muralist for the Audubon Mural Project and Environmental Artist
Yumi Rodriguez, Muralist for the Audubon Mural Project and Environmental Artist
Michele Brody, Special Projects Manager at the Bronx River Art Center and community artist
Sari Nordman, interdisciplinary artist and teaching artist
Emma Chapman, sustainable agriculture and fair food advocate
This program was made possible by a generous grant from CAF Canada.
Creative Art Works’ 2021 summer programs were made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, as well as these generous supporters: Boston Properties, Invesco, L+M, Savills, Crowell & Moring, The LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, The Sills Family Foundation, RBC Foundation USA, and CAF Canada. Many thanks to Celtic Building Supplies, Colony Hardware, Commodore Construction, Newport Painting & Decorating, Pittsburgh Paint, Structure Tone, and Sherwin-Williams for the donated materials and painting supplies. The majority of our Youth Apprentices come to us via the Summer Youth Employment Program of the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development. Youth providers include BronxWorks, CASES, Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services, Children’s Aid Society, Henry Street Settlement, Inwood Community Services, and Right to Dream.
