 |
WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
By Phoenix Michael
Zócalo: July 2, 2010
"Under the banner of “Beautify and Unify,” this fall Tucson Arts Brigade (TAB) in conjunction with 29th Street Coalition, Archer Neighborhood Center and Barrio Centro Neighborhood Association will spearhead the creation of several murals designed to promote the concept of “arts as civic engagement.” Public participation and input is as important to these murals as brushes and ladders..."
READ MORE... |
 |
FESTIVAL AIMS TO TAP IDEAS
FOR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE
By Gabrielle Fimbres
Downtown Tusconan: March, 2010
"The arts and sciences will intertwine at a Downtown festival encouraging Tucsonans to celebrate and better understand the precious gift of water. The Water Project: Tucson’s Synergistic Water Festival is the first event of its kind in Tucson, bringing artists and performers together with planners and policy makers March 26-28..."
READ MORE... |
"The mural is absolutely beautiful. What a warm and inviting feeling the mural will convey to all who enter our school. Thanks for sharing your talent with our students."
- Lorena Escarcega, Drexel Elementary Principal Tucson, Arizona
"I feel that I have a very vivid imagination, but transferring that to something tangible, that's the part where I kind of shut down, but Michael has this great way of getting you to see things that you don't necessarily see and to be easy on yourself. If you're a control freak, this is a great exercise, because there are so many people who are part of it, and you have to realize that it's not going to just be what's in your head. Once you let that go, really beautiful things happen."
- Rashida H., Collective Imprints Project
“Art has saved my life more than once, I need to thank Michael for that, and I feel I'm a better person because of it, and am able to see more beauty in this world than I ever thought possible. You probably have no idea how much that means to me, thank you so much for everything!”
- 16 year old, TAB Youth Arts Training Program (YATP) participant
I just wanted to share with the group how meaningful my experience was today with the seeds for life brainstorming. Too infrequently do groups of people sit around casually, sharing the importance of seeds, growth, decay, and cycle with one another. Too infrequently do I find myself awash with inspiration by the broccoli sprouts in my makeshift cardboard greenhouse. Thanks to all of you.
- Nate, participant
I just wanted to let you know how wonderful I think the arts brigade is, and how much this community needs this group. You are truly an inspiration. Thanks again.
– Carrie V., participant
“Look, I see rhythm in the clouds of this painting!”
– 6-year-old, TAB Youth Arts Training Program (YATP) student
“The Tucson Arts Brigade offers one of the finest after school programs in the State of Arizona.”
– Susan Silverman TAB Board Member
“My daughters have enjoyed art classes with TAB over the last two years and have greatly gained in their art appreciation and artistic ability. The instruction style is unique in that each class features a artist who specializes in that field. For example, when they did weaving, a Navajo weaver came and explained how she harvested the wool from her sheep, collected and prepared the native dyes for the wool and then gave the students wool she had dyed to make their weavings! Another outstanding example was an artist from Philadelphia who created a fresco mural of the Grand Canyon using natural pigments -- the kids ground and mixed their colors and painted both the large outdoor mural and a take-home piece. This is not your "draw a picture in the style of Matisse" kinda class.”
- Lisa, parent
“My son has become more aware of the arts and how he sees the world.”
- Parent of a TAB student.
STUDENT QUOTES:
Maggie (5): “I like it ‘cause I’m learning new things, like texture markings and how paint brushes make markings.” How to draw by just looking at the page. How to squint while looking at the pages it tells you if it is dark or light or a little dark and how to look in the books for ideas.”
Katie (6): “I’ve been in this place a long time. I’ve learned the bird view is up, the worm is down, this (motions with hands) is forward ground, that is background. When I look with my finger, I close one eye and I put my finger and it looks small!”
Britney (14): “We can do anything, draw, copy from books, painting with pastels. I like my drawing now, I can draw better.” |
