michigan youth arts festival MICHIGAN YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL
VIDEO BY ELI BROWN
THURSDAY APRIL 12th, 2012
Michigan Youth Arts is a nonprofit that has been showcasing the work of our state's top young creative minds for the past 50 years. As the annual festival approaches, executive director Kim Dabbs talks about the impact of the event on the students themselves as well as the importance of all Michigan students having access to quality arts education.

THESE 'CON' ARTISTS ARE REAL PROS
MARY KATHERINE QUASARANO
THURSDAY APRIL 12th, 2012
Con Artist Crew is a dynamic arts movement in Grand Rapids led by artists Magdalene Law and Reuben Garcia – true partners in mission and vision – not crime. “We came up with the name while bantering back and forth on a title that would be edgy - but also tongue-in-cheek - a title that would be easy to remember, but also hard hitting" says Law. Make no mistake: there is nothing inauthentic or hidden or tricky about these talented artists. As they conduct a tour of their studio/gallery collaboration space opening this month, their excitement is palpable, their commitment unwavering, and “sweat equity” is in full evidence on the workbenches, construction tools, new drywall and dust. There’s plenty of reason for them – and the Grand Rapids art community – to be excited, too. The space they are leasing at 1111 Godfrey (Suite 198) is a building complex known for attracting artists and innovation. Con Artist Crew’s mission is to provide local, emerging creatives with the space, community, and encouragement to thrive. Garcia shares, “The Con Artist Crew’s vision is to not only become a gallery, but an artistic center that facilitates a cultural investigation into the minds of both creators and audience. We currently have eight in-house studios with private entry and access and hope to have an additional three or more by June. Artists lease on an annual or semi-annual basis and each artist will have 24-hour access to their space because we know that inspiration can strike at any minute. We want to form a community where we play and work together.” Law and Garcia first met as undergraduates while attending Kendall College of Art and Design. Law graduated in 2010 with a BFA in Graphic Design and studied illustration, public relations, social networking, marketing and advertising.  In addition to the hard work of helping move Con Artist Crew from dream to reality, she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Art Therapy. Garcia graduated in 2011 with a BFA in Sculpture and Functional Arts with multiple studies in drawing, painting, printmaking and screen printing. They have coordinated and shared in all aspects of the space’s renovation and design. Though their disciplines differ, they share a common drive and passion for local art and creativity. As undergrads, both noted students being offered exhibition space at local prominent galleries. When their own invitations weren’t forthcoming, they made what was to become a prophetic decision. Instead of waiting for a gallery to find them – and others - they would create an exhibition space of their own. Garcia shares, “Everybody wants a piece of the spotlight and I want a piece myself. If we work together we can all shine and create something greater for this city.” Law and Garcia maintained connection with each other post-graduation and independently dreamed of creating a space to merge a broad spectrum of aspiring artists together for the purpose of exploring and exhibiting their art. Law contacted Garcia about starting up a group, they met and have been on the same page since. Says Garcia, “Sharing a vision - we knew we had to get a space that would house our intentions.”  In October 2011 Con Artist Crew formed as an LLC. With smiles that light up the space, Garcia and Law declare their willingness to do whatever it takes, for however long it takes, to bring the gallery and studio to life. Law shares, “We aren’t going anywhere. We will eat rice for the next five months if that means creating something we believe in.” We live in an age where the miracle of seeing vacant, historical buildings transformed into artistic centers and innovative offices has become commonplace, and that’s unfortunate. The drywall dust beneath Garcia’s sneakers and Law’s boots speak volumes. Two very talented and dedicated young people are helping to pry open doors to the Grand Rapids creative and entrepreneurial landscape, and undoubtedly, they’ll be changing the lives of aspiring artists for years to come. These Cons are real pros.

BOTTLE CAPS IN BATTLE CREEK
VIKI LORRAINE
THURSDAY APRIL 12, 2012
Sabine LeDieu is an artist who likes to support arts through environmental work. ETC ARTS Studio promotes quality art made by everyday people for everyone, everywhere. Calhoun County Solid Waste Department wants to make a greater impact with recycling throughout the county. The three came together, blended their passions and created Trash2Art, a project that has elementary and middle school kids creating interactive sculptures out of recycled materials. Earth Day 2012 will mark the unveiling of this community art initiative designed to inspire environmental stewardship. “The project is all about connecting art and recycling and kids,” said LeDieu. “Since only 9% of Americans recycle, we wanted to do something that would make an impact on them while they’re still young.” LeDieu, who has worked with ETC ART Studio for about a year to increase community involvement at the studio, elicited the support of ETC and its Sales, Marketing and Communications Director Michelle Sears. “We approached several schools in each community with the idea of finding a champion at that school,” said LeDieu. “The project takes some time and effort, so we needed lots of buy-in. The schools we selected demonstrated the most buy-in.” Riverside Elementary and Springfield Middle Schools in Battle Creek were chosen. Using metal and plastic bottle tops and other recycled or reclaimed articles, the students have created public art sculptures. The student body as well as various community businesses worked together to collect the recycled bottle tops. Each sculpture invites participation by the viewer and also offers tips on recycling. In keeping with the theme of environmental stewardship, each sculpture has a QR code that links to a website where people can see and learn more about the project.  “We didn’t want to have papers or brochures blowing around,” said Sears.  The students have even created a Flickr group for sharing photos of their sculptures and are encouraged to tour the sculptures at other schools. “Its wonderful to watch kids connect on a non-competitive level,” said LeDieu. “The kids have been so appreciative of being able to do something for their community, to be included in a professional community art project,” said LeDieu. “They like the idea of increasing awareness about recycling among their peers. They’re really excited to make a difference” The sculptures will be installed outdoors at the schools so everyone can enjoy the work. “The kids also love being in the studio making art,” said LeDieu. “Their sculptures allow for interaction on many different levels: three dimensional sculptures, kinetic sculptures that move – and there’s always an element of interaction, a physical ability to be with the sculpture.” Empowering youth to beautify their environment with art is one of the goals of the project. “But we’re really hoping to see an increase in community art and an increased awareness of environmental issues,” said LeDieu.  The two women hope to expand the project to include kids of all ages and get additional schools to join in. “We’d like to see other counties come onboard,” said Sears. LeDieu is willing to consult with other organizations and artists interested in starting a similar project. “We want to see the project grow,” said LeDieu. For Battle Creek, it’s bottle caps. For other communities and counties it may be other recyclable objects. Bottom line, this project introduces a creative model calling young people to act on  issues critical to their community while producing professional public art to help build awareness.

LISA LUEVANOS AND THE SWEET RHYTHM OF CLAVE
MARY KATHERINE QUASARANO
THURSDAY APRIL 12th, 2012 Clave (pronounced clah-vay) refers to:

• A specific Latin music rhythm;
• Two hardwood sticks used in Afro-Cuban and Latin ensembles; and
• An organization of educators, artists and activists (Community of Latino  Artists Visionaries and Educators)

The story of Lisa Luevanos moves to this distinctly joyful and Latin rhythm, (one-two…one-two-three) and speaks to the importance of encouragement, example and education in the lives of artists and communities. And, one-two… Luevanos was exposed to the arts from earliest memory. Her mother Mary worked as an informal “artist-in-residence” working from home pursuing photography, clay work and painting. “My mother frequently took me and my siblings to museums, including the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), and we grew up with a strong appreciation for art and the important role it plays in preserving cultural traditions.” These early trips to the DIA (Diego Rivera remains a major influence and favorite artist), and the daily observation of her mother’s work, laid a solid foundation for Lisa’s formation as an artist. Her artistic vision then expanded through her educational experience. She took photography classes at Casa de Unidad, a Southwest Detroit arts and culture organization. Workshops brought guest lecturers that exposed her to an important local photographer Daymon Hartley , and students learned as “working artists” with assignments given and used in El Barrio, a local neighborhood publication.  At Crockett Vocational Tech Center she studied with Mary Kay Aukee, fondly recalling, “She was very generous, helping us with darkroom techniques and visiting local camera shops and encouraging us to keep photographing our neighborhood.” Post-high school education took place at the College for Creative Studies. Luevanos has enjoyed great professional success (she worked as a custom printer and photographer for Ford Motor Company for 22 years) and freelance success (she shoots for a variety of organizations including the Detroit Tigers), and yet the call to give back to community is one that she finds herself responding to time and again. “Working as a professional artist can be rewarding but it’s also challenging to ensure continuity…it is important for me to give back to my community.” …one-two-three To keep arts and culture alive in the community, Luevanos works with CLAVE, and the organization has several community partners. “We’ve had artist talks, poetry readings, Day of the Dead celebrations, movie nights, and Cinco de Mayo events.  We hope to someday have a permanent exhibition space for Latino Arts.  I also work at a local high school on art-infused education with photography. Ultimately, it is very important for me to be able to expose youth to Latino arts and culture.” A brief list of public art projects Luevanos has worked on in recent years: Sol del Barrio: Bandstand in Clark Park where Luevanos obtained a Community Public Art Detroit grant and worked with local Latino artisans, material suppliers, businesses and youth production assistants to rehab an unusable bandstand and landmark. The bandstand now has a new floor, cement platform and repaired walls, and is used extensively. Cesar Chavez Mural, another Community Public Art Detroit project which drew local artisans, students, and businesses. Twenty-five organizations were invited to tile-setting workshops and the final mural is now on display at LA SED (Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development) an organization that has served Detroit’s Latino community for over 40 years. Spirit at Rest: Tile Bench on Vernor/Scotten, this time Luevanos’ co-artist and mother, Mary, led the project. Her mother held 10 weeks of tile workshops, participants made the tiles, and they were assembled inside Lisa’s studio. The bench’s wrought iron frame was created by Diseños Ornamental Iron, a local artisan business.  It was important to both women to spread pride and respect for Latino arts and culture by including community participation (over 200 community members) in the project. Clave also means code or key, as in the key to a mystery or puzzle; or as in keystone, the wedge-shaped stone in the center of an arch that ties the other stones together. Education is the “clave” in Lisa Luevanos’ story as an artist; the keystone that ties all of the other stones in her life (family, community, culture) together.