Speaking from the Heart
Students share powerful connections at the intersection of science and art
A student in the Anatomy & Physiology Art Lab at A. Philip Randolph Campus High School discusses her a mask that shows interior and exterior psychological states
The event kicked off with a fashion show of wearable art
Students in a Creative Art Works Art Lab celebrated the completion of a successful year with a culminating event that included a gallery walk and a cat walk.
The Art Lab, which is integrated with the Honors Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) class at A. Philip Randolph Campus High School (APRCHS), challenges students on a medical track to reinterpret anatomical and philosophical principles through painting, sculpture, collage, mask making, and textiles. This is the sixth year that CAW has partnered with APRCHS on this program.
Students got things started by modeling wearable art that represented the protective powers of the immune system and masks that illustrated the difference between interior and exterior psychological states.
Next, students reflected on one of their projects. Some statements were deeply personal and vulnerable, as when one student read a poem about her wearable art, or when another student shared how art had helped him heal after a traumatic event in his neighborhood.
A&P Teacher Christopher Bax congratulated his students on an “inspirational” performance, saying, “You have been extremely vulnerable and displayed a lot of courage.”
A student explains her psychological self-portrait
CAW Teaching Artist Noga Cohen said, “After the event, a fellow teacher, Mr. Gomez, shared with me how stunned he was to see all of the students active, engaged, and vocal. He said some of those same students are in his class, and he had never heard them speak, nor had he seen them so confident.”
This is not to say that public speaking came easily to everyone; the professionalism of the presentation was the result of preparation and practice.
Noga said, “When we practiced for the final event, one of our presenters was struggling to read his notes and stumbled over his words. With help from a fellow student, he practiced until he memorized his lines and gave an amazing performance. I was very proud of him for gaining confidence, collaborating with his friend, and believing in himself.”
“Culminating events are a vital part of all CAW programs, because they celebrate youth voice, showcase artistic growth, and enhance a sense of accomplishment. This was especially apparent at the Art Lab event where students highlighted the powerful connection between creativity and science in a public and affirming way.”
“My self-portrait represents anxiety. Anxiety can make you feel overwhelmed, overly self-conscious, or sometimes you just want to be alone and sad. I painted the eyes around my face to represent people staring at me. You can see how intimidated I am.”
Shamir’s self-portrait of anxiety
Jizelle Amis wrote a poem inspired by the immune system wearable art project, which dealt with the question, “How do we protect ourselves or our communities?”
My Poem
I wear my courage like a thread
Stitched in silence, lined in red
Not armor made for war or show
but something deeper, stitched below
A cape, not flown but grown from fear
From every wound I pulled too near
Not a costume, not disguise
But truth wrapped tight in stylized lies
Each fold a shield, each seam a scar
A subtle map of where we are
You won’t see cells or battle cries
Just fabric catching hurt that flies
I built this piece the way we cope
With hidden steel and threads of hope
A wearable myth, a softened might
A quiet blaze in broad daylight
So when you see this cape I wear
Know strength is not just standing there
It’s how I heal, how I defend
And how I stitch again and again
— Jizelle Amis
Moments from the Culminating Event
Gallery of Student Art
Projects include 3D models of major organ systems, paper models of different types of muscle tissue, illustrations of cells, and psychological self-portraits.
This program was 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. Creative Art Works’ school-based programs also receive support from the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation.