Message from the Executive Director

ArtsTech NEWS F A L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 V O L U M E 6 , I S S U E 1 BOARD OF

DIRECTORS:

Roxanna Swaney, President

Tracey Lewis, Past President

Gregory Brown, PhD, Treasurer

April Strong, Secretary

Jack Bainbridge

Deanna Brauer de Palacious

Licia E. Clifton-James

Enrique Chaurand

Mitzi Craft

James Cronin

James Daley, Ph.D

Carl DiCapo

The holiday season is upon us, and ArtsTech has a lot to be thankful for in 2015. Of special note in 2015

was ArtsTech being integrally involved with the many wonderful art pieces that now are bestowed at the

new Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) Campus at 27th and Prospect.

Our “Splash Mob” youth started this journey by creating eight large murals depicting the four neighbor-

hoods that surround the new police campus. The Splash Mob involved hundreds of local residents in

making the murals an effort to beautify the construction area. ArtsTech artist, Aaron Sutton, colorfully

painted the JE Dunn construction trailer in a modern free-form design that was easily recognized blocks

away and was used to enlist hundreds of local residents in finding construction jobs. Aaron Sutton and

another artist associated with ArtsTech designed a “Community Tree” for the KCPS community room as well as two spectacular out-

side designs that have an African-fabric-look to it. Words cannot do justice to the artwork I have described. Please go to http://

saferkc.com/east/public-meetings-and-events/ and see for yourself the beautiful artwork.

A final piece of ArtsTech insolvent with this effort was our four-day “Throw Mud” extravaganza that was another opportunity for com-

munity involvement. ArtsTech saw 300+ people crafting ceramic bowls that became of the outside entryway design by nationally

known artist David Dalquist. The imagination and creativity demonstrated by all involved was inspiring.

The KCPD Campus project was a prime example of how art can heal, send messages that resonate with people, and be a vehicle of

hope. At the Dec. 1 grand-opening ceremonies, Mayor Sly James graciously bestowed accolades on ArtsTech and our youth. The

Mayor told the 1,000+ crowd how our organization was the community group that brought the artists together to make this master-

piece. We are grateful to Reeves Wiedeman of Helix Architecture for his vision and financial support to make much of the artwork a

reality.

This year was special, and 2016 will bring better opportunities for our youth to make better choices.

Happy Holidays! ~ Dave Sullivan

Would you like to donate to

ArtsTech? Donate safely

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or via check or credit card

payable to ArtsTech.

STAFF: Dave Sullivan, Exec. Dir.

Paula Davis, Prog. Dir.

Alex Villasenor, Dir. Dig Lit

Ronda Law, PT Acctg

Nikki West, PT Office Asst.

SCHOOL STAFF: Dave Sullivan, Principal

Helen Byram

Taylor Brown

Mildred Grey

Martin Jackson

Charles Jones

Emily Orr

Scott Preston

Felicia Safir

Lisa Winslow

P A G E 2

Digital Literacy Program (formerly Computer Redistribution) In this ever changing digital age, it’s hard to stay current on what is considered basic digital literacy. For two years, ArtsTech has been offering digital literacy classes to senior citizens. What started out as basic skills and knowledge has evolved into something much more beneficial. The students have reached beyond simply making an e-mail. Many did not have an email address when we started, creating websites and simple programs. ArtsTech will be re-starting our curriculum from the beginning on January 2016. If you want to know more details about when, where and what the classes are about, please contact Alex Vil-lasenor, Director of Digital Literacy, at ArtsTech, 816-461-0201, ext. 305.

If you like to read a story of one of the seniors, please visit this page http://www.kctechschool.com/a-senior-story/

Looking for event space?

The Gallery has become a popular

location with it’s 7,300 square feet

of loft style rental space. This

versatile space used for multiple

types of events

Call 816-461-0201or go online at

www.artstech-kc.org, for more

information or to set up an ap-

pointment to view the space for

your next event !

A R T S T E C H N E W S

The Gallery

“This semester we

have around 55 out

of school suspension

students. They are

off to a great start

and eager to learn.”

– Charles Jones,

Teaching Assistant

“All my life the only thing

life the only thing I’ve had

control over has been my

art. Drawing was my es-

cape, my little paradise.

At MyARTS I get to create

something new Everyday and be around others who love

art like I do. In a way, MyARTS has become my new para-

dise.” ~ Jasmine Lawson (Visual Arts)

“I honestly like MyARTS,

the many different types of

art styles with different skill

sets encourages me to

make myself a better

artist.” ~ Kahlil Johnson

(Ceramics)

I like MyARTS because it a

place where I can relate to

others when it comes to art.

Everyone loves art here and so

do I. ~ Dalshaun McQuarters

(Visual Arts)

COMAT Awards Ceremony, Plaza Library

Paula Davis, Taylor Brown, Charles Jones

and Dave Sullivan

Alex with Senior participants at Palestine Activity Center Students assisting the Seniors at Mary Kelly Center.

“ArtsTech

A place where youth design

their future”

~ Dave Sullivan

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 6 , I S S U E 1

The MyARTS Program is an art entrepreneurial program for youth ages 15 – 19. The youth begin as an unpaid apprentice, in

which each youth may either complete a foundations curriculum designed by the MyARTS staff, or work directly in one of our

studios. During the apprenticeship program , the youth will be provided with services that fit their needs, i.e. educational ser-

vices, socialization and life skills training, entrepreneurial training, substance abuse treatment, housing, family functioning, spe-

cial recreational interests, etc. Youth may also be offered a part-time paid position in one of our studios working 9 hours per week, in one of the following stu-

dios:

MyARTS Downtown 1522 Holmes St., Kansas City, MO 64108

Visual Arts Studio – creation of murals, fine art paintings, jewelry, accessories, drawings and illustrations. Ceramics – facilities to promote the creation of clay-based products and the ability to dry, glaze, and fire products. e commercial art and technology or graphic arts services (layout and design of books, magazines, newsletters,

resumes, etc.). MyARTS East

315 N. Main St., Independence, MO 64050

Visual Arts Studio – creation of murals, fine art paintings, jewelry, accessories, drawings and illustrations. Screen Printing Studio – printing on paper or fabric using traditional or photo techniques. The young artists learn on a manual printer.

Ceramics – facilities to promote the creation of clay-based products and the ability to dry, glaze, and fire prod-ucts Photo Darkroom Studio – analog (chemical-based developing) and digital (computer-based developing) equipped studio with capability to develop negatives, photographs, and photo emulsion silk screens.

Graphic Design Studio – using up-to-date equipment to create products and offer services to clients including commercial art and technology or graphic arts services (layout and design of books, magazines, newsletters, resumes, etc.).

Graphic Design Studio – using up-to-date equipment to create products and offer services to clients including commercial art and technology or graphic arts services (layout and design of books, magazines, newsletters, resumes, etc.).

MyARTS

Spotlight: New Board Members, James M. Daley and Licia E. Clifton-James

The ArtsTech Board of Directors and staff welcome James M. Daley and Licia E. Clifton-James. Both James and Licia will attend

their first board meeting on Monday, December 7 at ArtsTech.

James M. Daley , Ph.D, retired, is currently the visiting professor of Supply Chain Management at the Fu Jen

Catholic University in Taipei, Taiwan. He is active in research and has published over 50 articles in major aca-

demic journals. He currently resides in Olathe, Kansas with wife Marsha.

Licia E. Clifton-James is a life-long resident of Kansas City, Missouri. She is a doctorial student at the Universi-

ty of Missouri-Kansas City and a published author. Mrs. Clifton-James is the mother of four and the wife of

Mayor Sly James.

OSS Electives

The students are reading Programmed for Murder by Riccardo C. Lucas. Our students

love this book because they feel they can relate to it. In the book Mr. Lucas talked

about his childhood and how growing up in the projects of Kansas City, Mo influ-

enced his life to go down the wrong path. He also talks about what it’s like growing

up with alcoholic parents and how he had to fend for himself a lot. Reading this book

allows our young people to see where Mr. Lucas ended up and how he regretted the

life of crime he led before. After reading the book we plan to have the author Mr.

Lucas come and talk to our class about gangs, and how to steer away from them.

~Taylor Brown

1522 Holmes St.

Kansas City, MO

64108-1536

Phone: 816-461-0201

Fax: 816-461-0210

E-mail: artstech@artstech-kc.org

web: www.artstech-kc.org

A Center for Youth Enterprise

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ArtsTech’s Mission is to better the lives of underserved

urban youth through the development of marketable

artistic and technical skills.

ArtsTech is a public/private collaborative venture that

offers young people and the community an opportunity

to advance their artistic and technological skills in an

entrepreneurial business environment.

ArtsTech is the only youth-serving business in the Arts

Crossroads District. Having a presence in the heart of

the art and business district is an enormous asset and

also indicates to our young people that they too can

participate in Kansas City’s renaissance.

Alex West giving the floors a new coat of paint.

Felix Maull, member of MyARTS/SpashMob making great

strides!

Selfie Moment with Mayor James KC NoVA youth & staff