BBVN Tile Mosaic Mural Workshops Dates Set

 By R. Roati

As most of you know, BBVN is working with a Tucson artist to construct tile mosaic murals on the two low walls at the intersection of the Treat Walkway and Arroyo Chico. 

Due to the fabulous efforts of neighbors John, Linda, Matt, Emma Stapleton, Barbara O'Brien, Barbara Kuelbs, Justine Hernandez, Judd Ruggill, Susan Silverman, Mike Weingarten & Joan Thomas, all under the direction and expert assistance of Tucson artist Michael B. Schwartz, we built tiles, painted them, fired them, prepared the walls, applied thinset, and installed tiles, so that two of the wall sides are now largely complete.

We're going to turn now to the remaining sides to complete the tile mosaic mural installation! Thanks to Mary Wolfe for the donation of some beautiful tiles for this next phase! Please join us for two tile installation parties:

What: Tile installation party (north mural)
Date: Sunday October 18
Time: 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

What: Tile installation party (south mural)
Date: Sunday October 25
Time: 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

For both parties, please bring:
Old clothes
Rubber gloves
Hats, water, sunscreen
Any thinset tools you might have such as trowels and pans (we have some, but more is better)
A digital camera
Food and drinks
We'll supply the rest

You can just show up, or register by clicking here.

New Art School Opens this Fall

The Michael B Schwartz School of Art opens this fall with a new Visual Arts program for gifted and talented young artists Ages 11-18, on Saturdays from 1-6pm at the Citizens Artist Collective, Studio #13, 44 W 6th St. in downtown Tucson.

There are two semesters this fall, Semester 1: Saturdays, September 12 - October 24, Semester 2: Saturdays October 31 - December 12. The cost is $300. per semester or $50. per session. Scholarships are available based on economic need. All materials, field trip and snacks are included.


This program provides an in depth study of the tools, techniques and concepts in the media of painting, drawing and mixed visual arts media. Young artist are taught to harness their super powers and creative sensibilities. This practice fosters, guides and supports each students unique creative sensibilities in a professional working studio environment.

Students can register on line at www.MichaelBSchwartz.com.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and must include a letter describing the students artistic goals and why you are interested in this program,  three sample artworks (jpeg) and a short portfolio interview.

For more information contact 520-791-9359 or visit www.michaelbschwartz.com

About Michael B Schwartz MFA 1991 University of Arizona, BFA 1988 Tyler School of Art at Temple University, is a visual artist whose creative practice includes the production of public art, murals, paintings, drawings, writings and teaching. His work with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, Fleisher Art Memorial, International Council of Adult Education, National Audubon Society, Tucson Museum of Art, Teaching Artist Journal and Prescott College has propelled him to the top of his field. His many awards include the Puffin Foundation and Art Matters Fellowships. Mr. Schwartz is an internationally respected muralist and educator with a unique ability to assist students in clearing creative blockages so they can produce unique heart felt master works.

Welcome Back! Lets Paint the Town

Welcome back to students and summer travelers!

We have a delightful line up of workshops, projects and  opportunities for you to enjoy. From painting murals, mosaics and street art to potlucks, artists meetings and educational workshops there is something for everyone. We invite you to put on your paint cloths, grab a brush and jump in!

Here is how you can get involved;

Wed. September 9
General Arts Brigade Meeting: 6-8pm

Location: Citizens Artist Collective
44 W 6th St, Tucson, Arizona 85705
Studio #13 (enter from 9th Ave, near railroad tracks)
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Starting Sat. Sept 12
Saturday Art Program for Teens
1-6pm

Location: Citizens Artist Collective
44 W 6th St, Tucson, Arizona 85705
Studio #13 (enter from 9th Ave, near railroad tracks)


2015 Fall Semester 1:    
Saturday 1pm - 6pm, September 12 - October 24
2015 Fall Semester 2:    
Saturday 1pm - 6pm, October 31 - December 12

2016 Spring Semester 1:    
Saturday 1pm - 6pm, January 9 - March 12
2016 Spring Semester 2:    
Saturday 1pm - 6pm, April 2 - May 28

For Registration and Schedule information Click Here:

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Wed. September 16
Volunteer Orientation: Call for Volunteers, 6-8pm

Location: Citizens Artist Collective
44 W 6th St, Tucson, Arizona 85705
Studio #13 (enter from 9th Ave, near railroad tracks)



TAB is a grassroots association, run almost like a neighborhood association, that seeks to bring the joy of the arts to schools, community centers, neighborhoods and other places. Volunteers like you make this all possible. Tasks range from website management, data entry, editing, organizing art shows and organizing to helping out on public arts projects. There are tons of small and large tasks.
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Wed. September 30
Mural Arts Program Meetings
6-8pm

Location: Citizens Artist Collective
44 W 6th St, Tucson, Arizona 85705
Studio #13 (enter from 9th Ave, near railroad tracks)

Learn more about our Utility Box Pilot Program and city our proposal for a wide mural arts program to hire artists to work in hospitals, schools, community centers and neighborhoods. There will also be updates on Trash Container Call to Mural Artists.

From the Arizona Daily Star article on the Utility Box Pilot Program.

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Tuesday Oct. 6
US Department of Arts & Culture
Help assemble a time machine: Materials Potluck (bring some art supplies)
6-8pm

Location: Citizens Artist Collective
44 W 6th St, Tucson, Arizona 85705
Studio #13 (enter from 9th Ave, near railroad tracks)

This fall’s campaign is called #DareToImagine






For more information: Dare To Imagine!!

Emissaries from the Future will create Imagination Stations nationwide—popping up in parks, classrooms, galleries, conferences, farmer's markets and beyond for this large-scale act of collective imagination. Using creative tactics, Emissaries will engage people in envisioning the world they hope to inhabit and—looking back from the future—celebrating the work they did to get there. The resulting texts, images, videos, and more will be uploaded to an online platform, yielding a crowd-sourced vision of the future, inspiring art, policy, and community action.

Want to help get the word out? Use hashtags: #DareToImagine #TucsonUSDAC

Participants will plan on where and when to install mobile time machine and seek community input.

The Green Revolution

Youth in the Green Revolution project established an outdoor classroom, animating the area with a mural and gardens.

The Green Revolution
by Zoe B.

15 girls at Secrist Middle School in Tucson, Arizona joined a Girl Scout six-week series called “Green Revolution”. We learned about our global food network, and healthy eating. We celebrated the end of our series with a Take Action Project for the school.  Students partnered with the Tucson Arts Brigade, and Civano Nursery to paint a mural and plant a garden.

The colors and designs used in the mural each represent something meaningful. There is a shape with a tribal print on it, which represents creativity. The piece of art work also includes designs that resemble question marks to express the importance of asking questions.

The self-sustaining desert garden includes different types of cacti and aloe. The plants are small now but will eventually grow and blossom into something beautiful much like the children here at Secrist.

Ajo Street Art Mural Project

"Doors of Perception" by Valeria and Isabella H. (TAB youth artists)

TAB Mural Crew

TAB Community Art History Workshop

The Community Arts Gathering was a coming together of artists diverse in culture, discipline, and practice, held at the intersection of three nations – the U.S., the Tohono O’odham Nation, and Mexico.

A big part of the gathering included the Street Art Mural Project.  Muralists from Tucson joined with artists from throughout the border region helped to enliven an alley between two historic warehouse buildings in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Ajo, AZ.

Artists spent a week painting murals throughout the day and night creating a festival like atmosphere in the once barren alley way.

Alleyway Before

One of the more spectacular moments were when a musicians circle grew to a new orchestra, and spontaneously a couple stared to dance as painters worked on their murals, townspeople mingled with guests from the conference, scaffolding a delightful table of food and beverages.

The alley came to life at night....

...and by day!

Kat's Mural, "Heart of the Desert"

These moments continued and Arts Brigade artists had a ton of fun working with the local high school students and their teacher. Students created a series of individual and group murals. TAB artists taught students the

Porter McDonald at work

basic tools and techniques needed to make a mural.

Flip, by Michael Schwartz

TAB artists worked with about 40 of the high school students. It started with meeting Miranda, she worked for several days on her design between her many other activities. It was clear that this little town was actually really active, and very social. Next we visited the local school and a mixed 6 - 12 grade classroom of some of the nicest young people one could ever hope to meet.

Teaching Artist Michael Schwartz offered a series of skill building lessons in perspective, scale and color and then we were off to paint murals . The next few days we worked on painting tools and techniques at the mural site. Youth from Ajo enjoyed watching TAB youth working, and were deeply inspired by their final mural. They kept asking “how did they do that?” What did you see? asked a teacher, “We saw them talking, making decisions as they painted” chimed in one.

Alice Glasser Mural

The creativity and excitement in Ajo was so inspiring and joy filled for all of us that we decided to continue the collaborations and build our relationships. Our next big events include a multi-media Community Build Day at the Dream Village, 939 S. 10th Ave. in June, and a Youth Arts Leadership gathering in late summer. Look for more details on this blog.

If you are interested in helping realize these projects we have regular organizing meetings. Email TMAP@TucsonArtsBrigade.org for more information. 

The Ajo Street Art Happening and Community Arts Gathering was hosted by the International Sonoran Desert Alliance www.isdanet.org

 

Youth Mural Club Updates

New mural underway at Central City Assembly on 10th Ave.

and brushing up on our mural painting skills.

The new mural club for youth 8 - 18 continues to meet each Saturday, 3-6pm at Citizens Artist Collective 44 W. 6th St. studio 13. The space is bustling with energy and projects. There is a painting and film project by visiting artists Jeane Cohen (Phili) and film maker Carl Elsaesser (Chicago) in progress, tiles for Treat Walkway, mural designs and painting studio areas.

Students have been discussing a variety of ideas including an "anime" mural and working on the "Together We Thrive" mural on 4th Ave. in addition to our existing projects.

More updates to come soon!

Mural Club continues

Youth creating tiles for the Treat Walkway mosaics.

Saturdays 3 - 6pm
through - May 16
Ages: 8 - 18
Cost: $20. per session all materials included

Location: Citizens Artist Collective
44 W 6th St, Tucson, Arizona 85705
Studio #13 (enter from 9th Ave, near railroad tracks)

Each week students have ample time to draw, paint and explore materials in open studio environment.  Lessons includes looking at, talking about and creating works of art. The second half of each class is spent in the community working on projects including murals & mosaics or going on a field trip. This exciting new studio based program has an emphasis on the tools and techniques employed in visual arts and civic engagement.

Students should bring a set of paint clothing, shoes, pants, shirt and hat. We are using acrylic mural paints.

You can attend one, or all sessions. Registration forms are filled out on your first session.
To register or for questions contact: TMAP@TucsonArtsBrigade.org or call 520-791-9359

Visiting Artists Jeane Cohen (Phili) and film maker Carl Elsaesser(Chicago) present their work in progress to students.

We are busy designing new murals...

Youth artists fine tuning mural designs.

Lessons include this one, an observation negative space drawing with white chalk on black paper. Beautiful works!

New Mural Club for Youth meets Saturday in Tucson Arts District

 

Mural Club Starts Saturday January 24

There is a new opportunity for youth in Tucson, the Mural Club now meets every Saturday from 3-6pm January 24 - May 16 to design and paint public murals. Youth ages 8-18 can now register for the program which gathers at the Citizens Artist Collective, Studio 13, 44 W 6th Street in downtown Tucson, Arizona every Saturday from 3pm-6pm.

Get your paint clothing on, young artists are painting up the town. This spring includes projects in Ajo, AZ, neighborhood and social change murals. Get involved with the growing international wall art movement. Raise your voice, raise your paintbrush!

Youth have the opportunity to assist master artists on projects, help out on neighborhood beautification efforts, enjoy field trips and help create a wave of change. Each week we work in the studio, and then move out into the field to work on projects.

This is a project of the Tucson Mural Arts Program, administer by the Tucson Arts Brigade. Support is made possible in part by the Tucson Pima Arts Council PLACE initiative, the Bank of America, Tucson Realtors Charitable Foundation and generous individual donations.

The Mural Club provides an out-of-school-time outlet for youth ages 8 - 18, and young adults to engage in the arts, workforce and economic development, while employing arts-based solutions to address community issues such as crime, drug use, health, and neighborhood revitalization.

There is a suggested $20. material fee per session.

To register or for more information email: TMAP@TucsonArtsBrigade.org