Modules
Green Mural
Students will be introduced to using natural elements -- grass, flowers, soil, fruits, and vegetables -- as a way of bringing murals and art to life. These murals will prove edifying and life-enhancing exhibits for the public. We will incorporate into our palette of design tools different forms of moss, wall plantings, recycled materials, and vines to create living imagery. Our focus will be in regards to environmental design, agriculture and green technologies. This mural will be produced in the Larimer neighborhood of Pittsburgh, which has been classified as a "Green Territory" of the city. With our strong community partnerships this will prove to be a creative venture that will surely brighten our Pittsburgh neighborhoods, while inspiring our neighbors to strive for a greener city.
Body Mural
We have teamed up with dancer Greer Reid-Jones and the Dance Alloy Theater of Pittsburgh to create "body murals." The particular dance we are is one that is composed of several still poses. While the dance is being preformed members of the M.L.K. staff will be painting both images into the background, as well as painting right onto the dancers. This will be a living composition where the viewer can watch the art come to life. While the dancers mimic the art, the art mimics the dancers, and the whole event brings the art of painting into a colorful explosion on stage. This is a presentation where still images meet living moments, and living moments echo the captured essence. The element of performing arts blending with the painted world provides opportunities for those whose interest in art has more to do with the human body than the brush. This event will also be preformed live at our annual fundraiser "Outside the Lines."
Glass Mural
In collaboration with the Pittsburgh Glass Center we are planning another Pittsburgh first: a "glass mural". As with all our creative processes we will be using this new platform as a vehicle for creative expression. We will be creating the same great historic narratives, and community stories but using glass as a translucent medium to convey the concepts. As another creative outlet for the youth, we will serve those who have a specialized interest in glass art. This will be displayed as an outdoor glass piece on Penn Avenue, in the Garfield neighborhood.
Video Mural
As one of the first installations at the new August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh, we will be unveiling video murals. In this experiment we will tell the story of our mural processes through a series of interconnected video vignettes. A single composition will culminate from several motion pictures in a collage-effect that will then be projected onto the walls of the Center. Some of the episodes will show our artists, young and old, painting walls, dancers performing from our body murals portion, plants utilized in our green murals, and glass shimmering day and night from our glass murals. We plan to show all aspects of our creative processes and display all the excitement produced from our huge team of select artists from all over the county in living color. We will be showcasing a lot of talent while also telling the story of all the hard work it takes to create something positive for the community. We are teaming up with SPARC, a Los Angeles-based mural organization, for consultation. We will also work with local video artists from the Pittsburgh Filmmakers, as well as a number of youth who are interested in video arts. This project will actually serve as a documentary of our 2009 mural season.
Music
In a joint venture with acclaimed music artist and producer Paradise, we've assembled our kids to create music of all genres and variety. We have released a double disc set showcasing some of the music and video created for the project. Kids came together from different neighborhoods to produce positive uplifting music that unifies the youth of Pittsburgh. Featured performers were showcased their talents at the "Outside the Lines" event at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts Oct 11, 2008.
Web/ Video
The kids learned about web design, from the history of the world wide web all the way to producing sites themselves. Workshops were held where the MLK youth learned the ins and outs of video and web production. The kids then interviewed various staff members, artists and observers and helped in the production of a 15 minute video of our community mural process. The video was also displayed at the "Outside the Lines" event.
Fashion
Under the direction of fashion designer Elizabeth Scott, some of the MLK youth have taken what they have learned about art and design from the mural process, and applied it to clothing. The result was a line of fashion for men women and kids that exhibits some the trendiest and most innovative clothing styles of the current generation. The first line was presented at the "Outside the Lines" event.
Fitness
with the sponsorship of Highmark, and instruction of personal trainer Omar Foster, the MLK youth Participated in two half hour training sessions a week. The focus of the program was on the benefits of exercise and heathy Eating. Each half hour routine to strengthen their hearts muscles and lungs. During each session there was discussion about the importance of a healthy diet.