Meet Our First Teaching Artist-in-Residence, Ryan Davis!
“Art has the inherent advantage of connecting to youth in a way that gives them space to tell their stories. Since the stories we tell ourselves impact the kind of person we become, my goal is to help young people become self-aware so that they might live out their own great stories.”
CAW’s first Teaching Artist-in-Residence, Ryan Davis
Ryan (center) with Teaching Artist Assistant Madeline DeLeón (left of Ryan) at the unveiling of the 2019 stairway murals at Jacob H. Schiff School campus.
Ryan’s current teaching duties include a new mural at PS/MS 4 in The Bronx and a full roster of in-school art programming for grades 6 through 8 at Hamilton Grange Middle School. Ryan recently completed a public art project at the Queens Community Justice Center. Prior to that, he has worked as a Teaching Artist or Teaching Artist Assistant on mural programs at PAL Webster-Giannone Center, and Jacob H. Schiff School Campus. Other programs include Design for Justice at the High School of Law and Public Service as well as several community art-making events.
“Most people, especially youth, want to be seen or heard in some capacity. Whether it be leading a mural or doing in-school programming, I’ve gotten a chance to help youth unpack how they want to be seen and heard.”
Ryan (back row right) with Youth Apprentices and CAW and Queens Community Justice Center staff during the last day of work on a site-specific artwork.
We are pleased to announce that Ryan Davis is Creative Art Works’ first Teaching Artist-in-Residence. This new staff position offers greater employment stability, including benefits, which will allow the Teaching Artist-in-residence more time to think about their role inside and outside the classroom or worksite and to develop creative youth development strategies to meet the ever-changing needs of our students and Youth Apprentices.
“Ryan was a natural choice for our first Teaching Artist-in-Residence; his teaching philosophy and artistic interests align closely with CAW’s.”
Ryan, (back row, far left) with fellow CAW Teaching Artist Demetrius Felder (front row, far left) and founder of the College Access program Fred Watts (back row center) at the unveiling of the college preparedness mural at PAL Webster-Giannone Center in The Bronx.
Youth Apprentices Davonte Jones and Courtney McGeary hold the initial sketch of the QCJC painting in front of the finished work.