Youth lead the way
This summer, Creative Art Works has hired 135 NYC teens and young adults and handed them tremendous responsibility. We’ve done this every summer for decades, and while we are always inspired by our Youth Apprentices, we’ve learned not to be surprised by what they are capable of and the beauty they create. If you could use a bit of uplift, we invite you to read what some of those who are returning to our our Public Art Youth Employment program have to say about their experiences.
Last summer, Lovejoy Wright, Anna Meza, and Sanjida Mou all worked together on the mural at PS 368, The William B. Lynch School.
Lovejoy Wright
What is something you bring to your team?
I think so far, I have been giving my positive energy and my amazing ideas. What makes this job so interesting to me is all the different ideas that everyone brings to the table every single day. And I just think all the people are always willing to put in amazing effort.
What was a challenge that you faced last year?
Last year, I was really, really shy. I didn't talk to people until the second week. I don't know what happened, but I guess I just stopped worrying about stuff, because now I'm talking to everybody.
What idea did you contribute to the artwork?
It was my idea to have a dove come out of a painting that a painter is making, but by the end it became a dove coming out of one of the stars in the sky.
Lovejoy will begin studying architecture at Pratt in the fall and is looking forward to life in the dorms, even though she will not be too far from her home in The Bronx.
Anna Meza
What was your favorite thing about working with CAW last summer?
Definitely being outside and working with people and being part of something important. And of course painting on a wall is always really fun. I got a lot of recognition from my artwork – I feel like I never really was able to share that side of me with other people before. That gave me a lot of confidence and encouragement.
What are are you contributing this year?
Well, hopefully good ideas for the mural and hopefully good drawing as well. Last year I got a lot of compliments from strangers and bystanders and their children for a unicorn I painted. It was one of my ideas that made it into the final design, and I'm very proud of it. And a reporter asked to talk to me about it. That was prideful moment. It almost made me cry a little bit.
Anna is a rising high school junior. A self-described introvert, she is saving her money to help pay for college, where she plans to major in visual arts.
Sanjida Mou
What brought you back to CAW for a second year?
It's a creative job. You get to see your work on a wall and contribute to something that makes you feel like you're actually doing something helpful and useful.
What was your claim to fame on the team last year?
Maybe it was paint mixing. My Teaching Artist [Mon Iker] called me “The Paint Wizard.”
Did any of your ideas made it into the art last year?
We painted kids playing hopscotch, and that was one of the first ideas that I put out there, and I was surprised it made it into the final design. Also, while I didn't suggest this myself, I guess my presence kind of influenced it, because people were mentioning how they don't really see hijabis represented in art, so we included a hijabi on the mural.
How do you feel about working on a new mural for PS 192?
This year's a little bit more intimidating, since there's already a really well-loved mural on the wall – we will have to really step it up and make everybody love our mural. But I think since it's such a big wall, we'll be forced to collaborate. I'll definitely contribute my ideas, because I’d like to see a really great design.
Sanjida will be starting college at NYU in the fall and is thinking about pursuing a double major in art with either chemistry or environmental studies. She finds the prospect of starting college both exciting and “kind of nerve-wracking.”
Cayden Colorado worked on the Manhattan County Family Court paintings last summer. This summer, his team is working on commissioned artwork for longstanding CAW supporter BXP.
Cayden Colorado
What do you bring to your team?
Something that I contribute to at Creative Art Works is a safe and comfortable environment. I love to make people laugh. Farah [Teaching Artist Farah Mohammad] has even told me that I'm the group's 'hype man.' I like to bring people up, because I've had my struggles where I've needed someone to lift me up.
How do you feel about the art you helped create last year?
I feel good that I left my mark on “The Collective Dream” mural at the Manhattan Family Courthouse last year. I love that my art is out there. It was a collaborative project, but my art and my brushstrokes are on that canvas and in that courthouse for as long as they'll have it. I guess that's what ties me to those communities.
What are you known for?
I am a people person. I like seeing my coworkers ideas and approaches. Even if we don't all agree on everything, I like coming to compromises where everyone's ideas are included. We're all here to learn, work with a team, be confident, and pitch our design. I love being able to express myself in our mood boards, and morning discussions. I want to bring that motivation and my art style to the BXP team and I hope—no I will—put a part of me on that canvas.
Cayden recently graduated from the Bushwick Leaders of Academic Excellence High School. He hopes to pursue a career in tattoo art.
“I live my dream every time I come here. I put my art out there, and that’s what I want to do. I want to be known for my art.”
Last summer, Avery Cabasa and Angelica Moldonado worked together on the paintings for Bronx County Family Court.
Avery Cabasa
This is your second summer with CAW. What experience do you have to offer now?
I still remember everything that I learned last year, so I feel like I can bring that to the table by helping all the new people who have never done any of this. I can help them feel more comfortable that they can do the job, because I was in that same position last year. I can tell them, "You got this.”
And what were you known for last summer?
I was very big on cleanup, because we were told how important that is in the beginning, especially since we're working with paint brushes, and once the paint dries up on those brushes, they're done. So I was very much on point with making sure everything was clean.
Avery will be going into her third year of nursing school in the fall. She hopes to work in a NICU in the future. Avery hopes this summer gives her some space to breathe and be at peace, because she anticipates that returning to school is going to be “a little bit stressful.”
Angelica Maldonado
What’s something that you contributed to the Bronx Family Court paintings last year?
I drew a character that went into one of the backgrounds. It was pretty cool to see how my little drawing was modified to fit into the mural. And I'm like, "Oh, okay. They chose mine.”
What were you known for last year?
I think everybody knew me as very quiet. I kept to myself, but when I started painting, But I’m also I'm a team player. I like to help people, especially when they're not confident in their art skills. I'm like, "It's all right! It's like you're putting your own creativity into it. It doesn't have to be perfect as long as it's unique in your own way."
And what was your big claim to fame last year?
After we finished our paintings, they sent me to another work site to help out another team because their mural was behind schedule. So I think people know me for that.
How do you feel about the design for the new mural at PS 192?
I think the design process is one of the most difficult parts, but it's also the most fun, because you're seeing little bits and pieces all come together. I hope that we do the neighborhood justice with the artwork we create.
Angelica will begin her junior year as a communication major at Lehman College in the fall.
“Last year I was bragging to all of my friends and family, saying, “Oh yeah, I worked on this mural.” I feel like I always talk about it because I’m so proud of it. It’s such a big accomplishment and I’m glad I get to do it again. ”
Our Thanks
Creative Art Work’s Public Art Youth Employment program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Creative Art Work’s programming is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
El programa de Empleo Juvenil en Arte Público de Creative Art Work está financiado, en parte, por fondos públicos del Departamento de Asuntos Culturales de la Ciudad de Nueva York en colaboración con el Ayuntamiento.
El programa de Empleo Juvenil en Arte Público del Creative Art Works es posible, en parte, gracias al Consejo de las Artes del Estado de Nueva York con el apoyo de la Oficina del Gobernador y la Legislatura del Estado de Nueva York.
