The Mural: Reaction + Response The Frank Sinatra School Of The Arts
Look up! Pushing boundaries and redefining experience, the mural has become the great equalizer for expression in public spaces, transforming sometimes forgotten and underutilized areas into a venue for artistic experiences. Narratives weave together, revealing a greater story of shared passion and commitment to nurturing environments where the benefits of access to the arts can be witnessed each and every day. A global movement, organized collaboratives and mural projects abound across small towns and big cities infusing society with unspoken messages that mirror our collective consciousness, establishing equity and voice for a diverse population of artists.
In The Faith Of Graffiti (1973), Norman Mailer captures the pulse of the movement for a generation lost within a world of economic and urban decline. The veiled vulnerability of renegade artists and their crews opened a pathway to expression. Today as the genre has been co-opted as a signifier of gentrification, the “Faith of Graffiti� continues to manifest momentum through the individual and collective efforts of artists who thrive within a culture of reciprocity and generosity.
Over the past 2 years we have had the opportunity to meet up with some amazing artists in NYC and Memphis. Working close to home or far away, the artists we have interviewed share a commitment to supporting youth within their communities and beyond. Please join us as we speak with a new wave of artists and their mentor as they explore the collaborative process in Queens, New York.
Public education at its best, provides students with an enriched aesthetic experience that rivals the most elite independent institutions. Built upon mission and dedication, educators devote their skills towards providing multiple pathways to mastery. This ethos is the cornerstone of The Frank Sinatra School of The Arts. One of NYC’s specialized high schools, the unique program focuses on visual and performing arts within the humanities. Inspired leadership coupled with progressive pedagogy has opened new vistas for students for whom the arts were merely a dream. A few weeks ago we met up with Dr. Jane Kahn and her students as they partnered for the creation and installation of a collective mural project under the direction of renowned mural artist Lady Pink at Kaufman Studios in Astoria, NY. Raised in Astoria, NY, Lady Pink reflected upon her own practice, her success in the fine art world, and her involvement with FSSA; “Giving back whenever I can is really important to me...I remember being a young artist, and how someone took the time to mentor me…it’s my way of bringing it forward.”
We would like to thank Dr. Jane Kahn, Mr. Gideon Frankel, Lady Pink, and the students featured in this presentation for their generosity and candor. The brief interviews and captivating photographs offer a portrait of youth at its best. We would also like to shine a light on the visionary leadership of the individuals, who year after year, continue to support current and future generations of artists, providing access and means to expression; Ms. Cheri Walsh of Exploring the Arts and the founding visionaries of both the ETA and The Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, Mr. Tony Bennet and Ms. Susan Benedtto. The ETA is the non-profit entity that provides funding for FSSA, and 17 other schools. A picture is worth a thousand words. In this case we have tens of thousands to share. Gay and David
Amaya Summerbill tag: AS
Age: 17 Grade: Senior Preferred Gender Pronouns: She/Her College Plans: Queens College Intended Major: Literature Favorite Author: JD Sallinger Can you provide 3 words about this experience? “Fun, Inspiring, Messy.” What was the best part of FSSA? “Art every year - it was essential to my education! Being around kids with talent in a cool, safe school community-an open environment was so different for me.” Have you ever painted on this scale before? “This is my 1st large scale painting and my1st mural. I just discovered Pastels in my art class this year- that had a major impact on my work in terms of color.”
Iliana Lara tag IXL
Age :17 Grade: Junior Preferred Gender Pronouns: She/Her College Plans: Copper Union Can you provide 3 words about this experience? “Collaboration, Introspective, Expressive.” Who would you choose to paint your portrait? “Basquiat - I like his use of text within iconography. The written word has real meaning for me. I use Mayan hieroglyphs as inspiration.”
Harley Vazquez tag HV Age: 17 Grade: Senior Preferred Gender Pronouns: She/Her College Plans: Paris College of Art Can you provide 3 words about this experience? “Fun, Amazing, Different, Growth.” Have you ever painted on this scale before? “This is my 1st large scale work.” What’s your favorite color? “Pink!” Your Hometown? “I live over there, in Maspeth.”
Giselle Bravo tag Bravo Age: 17 Grade: Senior Preferred Gender Pronouns: She/Her College Plans: “I’m figuring it out.” Which artist is your inspiration? “Banksy!” What’s your favorite color? “Purple.” Have you ever painted on this scale before? “Painting on a large scale was a new experience. I really enjoyed it.”
Jacqueline Chokpaporm tag GB Age: 15 Grade: Sophomore Preferred Gender Pronouns: She/Her Which painting is yours? “Lotus Goddess, over here. I relate to her.” Can you tell me 3 words describing FSSA school? “Unique, Opportunities, Collaborative.” Have you ever painted on this scale before? “This is my 1st mural. I really love using a pixar style in my work.”
Alexandra Montana tag AMS Age: 17 Grade: Senior Preferred Gender Pronouns: She/Her College Plans: Hofstra Major: Art Therapy How do you see art in therapeutic terms? “Thinking about Freud and identity, arts based educationwhen it is embedded into each day, it helps students find themselves, helps students let themselves go. Fully forming identity by getting in touch with yourself. That’s been my experience.” Can you tell me 3 words describing FSSA school? “3 words? Unique, expressive, new.” Who would paint your portrait? “Matisse.” What’s your favorite color? “Green.”
Angela SZE tag SZE
Age: 19 Grade: Senior College Plans: Laguardia Fine Arts Can you tell me 3 words describing FSSA school? “Exciting, fun collaboration.” Favorite Artist? “Van Gogh.”
Jessica Kataev tag PJI Age:17 Grade: Senior Preferred Gender Pronouns: She/Her College Plans:Queens College: “I will continue my practice, but will major in psychology.” How did you experience at FSSA effect you? “Arts opened a whole range of self discovery...I always look forward to going to school.” Your Inspiration? ”Pop Music and Vampire Diaries.” Describe the community of school: “Open, ideas, exchange, supportive.” Your favorite ice cream? “Mint chocolate chip.”
Naima Ryan tag NR Age: 17 Grade: Junior Preferred Gender Pronouns: He/Him/His College Plans: Thinking about MICA. Interested in merging fine art and graphic design. Tell me about the collaboration: “It was fun; I’m not used to muralmerging themes together was a challenge.” 3 words to describe the experience? “Inspiring, Fun, Informative.”
Zelinette Estrada tag ZE Age: 18 Grade: Senior Preferred Gender Pronouns: She/Her College Plans: Pratt- fine art Who would paint your portrait? ” Thomas Eakins” Who is your favorite artist? ”Jenny Seville.” Tell me about your art making experience so far and how did you like working with Lady Pink? “This was my 1st mural . Working with Lady Pink? In a word, EXCITING!” Did you see the Biennial yet? ” Yes, I loved the current Biennial: exhilarating!“
Nelson Ramirez tag Nel R
Age: 17 Grade: Senior College Plans: Gap Year - Maybe FIT, Parsons or Pratt Which artist or movement inspires you? “Picasso and the Fauves.” How would you describe your experience at FSSA and working with Lady Pink? “It was surreal...I went to k-2 school with no windows, FSSA has been incredible, it is filled with light. This project was also amazing, sort of a full circle. Lady Pink did a mural at my old school and now I had the opportunity to work with her!” What 3 words best describe your time at FSSA? “Freedom, expression, vibrant.“
Jasmine Jong tag JH Age:18 Grade: Senior Preferred Gender Pronouns: She/Her College Plans: Adelphi - Nursing “I will always be an artist at heart” Was this your first experience working in such a large format? “Yes, this is my 1st mural. It was time consuming, the planning was hard but, WOW! Look at what we created!” How would you describe your experience at FSSA? “Arts opened me up to different parts of society.” What music are you listening to? ”BTS”
Cyndia Mosley tag CYN
Age: 18 Grade: Senior Preferred Gender Pronouns: She/Her Tell me about your art making experience so far and how did you like working with Lady Pink? “This is my 1st mural/ tribal painting. I am focused on topics of race and identity.” What is your preferred medium? “Watercolor - discovery of different media opened my mind.” College Plans: MICA- Interior Design Where are you from? “Queens” If you had a word of advice for your younger self? “Follow your passion” Favorite Ice Cream: “Cookie Dough.” 3 words to describe your experience at FSSA? “Expressive, Free, Different.”
Maxine Ibanez tag MI Age:18 Grade: Senior College Plans: Parsons A word of advice to a younger student? “Keep going with you passion.” Favorite Ice Cream? “ Mint Chocolate Chip.” If one artists could take your portrait, who would it be? “Irving Penn.“ What are you watching on TV? “What We Do In The Shadows.” How would you describe your experience at FSSA? “Fun and Convivial, Natural.” Your Favorite Artist? “Dave McKeen is my favorite artist.”
Mya Singh-Johal tag Mya SJ Age: 18 Grade: Senior College Plans: Cornell Law/Labor Relations/Social Justice Where is home? Grew up in a shelter How would you describe your experience at FSSA? “Motivating + Inspiring.” Who is your favorite painter? “Jackson Pollock” Who would you choose to paint your portrait? “Frida Khalo.” What is your favorite color? “Black and Blue.”
Nya Marchena tag Nya M Age: 17 Grade: Senior College Plans: St. John’s Preferred Gender Pronouns: She/Her What 3 words would describe your experience at FSSA? “Challenging, collaboration, empowering.”
Dr. Jane Kahn
MA Art Education : Teachers’ College PhD: Columbia University Dissertation: The Growing Sense of Self as Artist in the Journey of Six High School Art Students, 2012
Your students are articulate, self aware, and driven by curiosity. It is clear that you share an incredible bond with each of them. What would you like to share about this amazing group of artists? FSSA focuses on 7 disciplines: visual arts, voal, drama, instrumental, dance, film,and stage craft. ”Approximately 50% of visual art students do go on to study art in college; we in the art department are very proud of this statistic.” In Dr. Kahn’s words “...the importance of expression, personal voice, what the students have to say, giving freedom to voice, to choice, to break through is what this environment fosters.” In her 18 years as an educator, Dr. Kahn has mentored countless students, preparing them to apply for college in the arts and every other discipline. How does language and literacy factor into the planning of visuals? “Language acquisition and literacy play a major role in the arts. Visual expression, direction and meaning may take symbolic forms that inspire interpretation. Words and images foster literacy. We also work towards creating artist statements that truly express the individual with intention and purpose. Thinking about the notion of Panopticon Gaze* and finding a means to effectively communicate the push pull of adolescence increases self confidence.” *(the idea of a silent, unknown overseer in the society such as the government that subconsciously controlled all aspects of life. It symbolizes extreme transparency within the society where the rulers or leaders can look down and know, being able to see exactly what is going on, influencing the actions of every individual. Milan Kundera used this idea in his fictional novel about the Soviet Invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, The Unbearable Lightness of Being.
What 5 words would you use to describe this experience with Lady Pink and your students? Excited: Working with Sherri Wolf and Exploring the Arts is one of the most exciting partnerships we have developed. I am always looking for big opportunities for students to be recognized. Overwhelmed: Reconnecting with Lady Pink brings so much much value. The synergy and support, mentorship and enthusiasm, the students feel it instinctively. Bonding and Community Building: building relationships artist to artist. Mentorship Pride: Supporting art through contemplative partnerships that enhance our department and help realize our long term goals by publicizing the value, the work, and the students. Favorite Ice Cream: Chocolate Music: Samuel Barber Adagio for Strings Vision for the Academic Year: Working with Seniors again for the 2019-2020 academic year will allow me to develop their portfolios and applications with a 360 degree view of who they are and where they are going.
The Mural: Reaction + Response is a project created and developed by The Human Experience Project. Mission Statement: The goal of THEP is to create visual and narrative content that supports the mission of organizations, institutions, and individuals who work to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen our communities. Please visit www.thehumanexperienceproject.net
The Human Experience Project
GAY FELDMAN: Co-Founder + Executive Director A native New Yorker, Gay Feldman has been involved in commercial and fine art photography for over three decades. Her formal background as an art historian and experience working alongside some of the most recognizable names in design and creative direction, have allowed her to guide and nurture the careers for a notable coterie of creatives. In 2015, Gay began a new chapter in her life devoted towards creating content in support of mission-based organizations. Her dedication to education and public access to the arts has supported independent schools, community-based initiatives, and other non profit entities. A rising candidtate for MSEd in Museum Education at Bank Street College of Education, Gay continues to combine passion for the arts with her entrepreneurial acumen on a daily basis through curriculum development, curation and exhibition design. DAVID KATZENSTEIN: Co-Founder + Photography Over the past 30 years New York City based photographer David Katzenstein has traveled extensively throughout the world creating narrative imagery for ne art exhibitions, global corporate giants and philanthropic organizations. Steeped in the tradition established by documentary and reportage photographers such as Cartier-Bresson and Josef Koudelka, David imbues all his work with emotional engagement and a deep respect for humanity. Spontaneous, authentic, and bold, his lens captures the essence of each moment providing the viewer with an intimate view of the world around us. All photography by David Katzenstein All editorial content by Gay Feldman