Skyland's Art: Back Alley Art Galleries and Art Walk
In 2014 the Skyland North City Park neighborhood launched the BAAG (Back Alley Art Galleries) with the help of Voices On Canvas Inc. The initial project brought a diverse cross section of neighbors together to create beautiful focal points of neighborhood pride. Projects like these assist in building a stronger sense of neighborhood identity.
The BAAG project is designed to create a beautification alley movement, getting people outside with Alley Art Walking Tours. These tours offer an opportunity for neighbors to meet and get to know one another.
The goal for 2022 is to increase art installations throughout Skyland's allies. Art installation unveiling parties are not only a celebration of community identity but, a continuance of bring old and new neighbors side-by-side as they create beautiful art pieces to add to Skyland's Alley Art Walking Tour.
Newly installed art will incorporate neighborhood history, that will educate passer byes. The project will bring a diversity of neighbors together to create beautiful and meaningful spaces in Skyland's under-utilized alleys.
2017/2018 Heart & Hand Center & Venture Prep High
Archaeology Research Club
Uncover hidden treasures of the community:
North City Park Skyland Neighborhood History Research is an effort to develop, design and create an educating public art piece that will reflect a portion of the neighborhood's history. Each art piece will be installed in designated location contributing to the Voices On Canvas's Legacy Project.
Students taking part in this after & in-school portion of the project that requires field surveys and Saturday research sessions at the main Denver Public Library. Participants of the 2017 summer session were rewarded with Android tablets upon the completion of their work on the project.
Students selected Ben's Market to
research. They discovered the historic
significance of its role in not only has in
community's history, but also its link to
the nation's history. They hatched a plan
to not only tell the market's human story,
but also a plan to save it as gentrification
consumes the neighborhood landscape.
2017/2018 Project & Public Art will
tell the Human story of Ben's Market.
Built in 1894 and still remains a
market today. Ben Okubo's name has remained on the building for the past 63 years.
Stay tuned for the progress of this story.
Click here for a Map of future BAAG SkylandArt project.
Above: First BAAG Unveiling September 6, 2014
Photo by: KCE
Above l - r: The late Mrs. Ida Jones, former Principal
of Montbello High
Hidden Treasure / She Touched A Lot of Lives
Below: Spring 2015 BAAG installation
In honor of Jacquline Allen 1986 - 2015
MIND MAPPING EXERCISE
Students retain more during lectures when the technique of "Mind Mapping" note taking is used. Visual triggers of colors changes and images connecting words to the main subject (center) improve cognitive skills. The brain is enormously elastic. The process of discovery allow individuals to grow and excel at their own pace.
Below: Example of a Structure of the subject of Mind Mapping Features
Voices On Canvas Inc’s LOGIC MODEL
VOCI – IN-SCHOOL and AFTER-SCHOOL CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT ART
PROGRAM
Problem Statement: Students are unaware of their full potential to make positive changes in themselves and their community.
Goal: Lift youth to the level of leadership through Creative Development, creating social community activist for positive changes.
INPUT OF VOCI
What we put in – curriculum, teachers, volunteers, peer support, and funding
OUTPUTS
Activities / What we do – recruit students, operate creative development self esteem and leadership programs, provide tutoring, provide career mentor, record progress
Stakeholders / Who we reach: students, peers, volunteers, and community.
OUTCOMES:
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Short-Term / Changes we expect to see short term- students learn new technical skills, receive additional self esteem awareness support where needed, improve presentation skills, and learn leadership skills
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Intermediate / Changes we want to see next – increased student mastery and sense of self worth, increase critical thing skills, increase engagement in school and community goals, and increased community organizing and development around issue of concern.
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Long-Term / Changes we hope to see over time – students and adults gain leadership skills, increase positive attitudes among students and community members, increase students’ voice in community matters, and lessen community needs & increase community assets.
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Community: Changes we want to track in communities – students’ willingness to speak out concerning community issues, addressing standards for positive change, and creating safer, cleaner and healthier sustainable environments.
ASSUMPTIONS
Building a good curriculum, recruitment plan and establishing parental and community involvement will improve attendance in after & in school Art programs.
EXTERNAL FACTORS
Distance to program, transportation, parental and community support, and facilitation.
