PROJECTS
Project | 01
TMA 2011 | Billy the Cow
Every year I encouraged my students to participate in local and national art competitions. In the 6th Annual National Lucerne “The Art of Dairy" Art Contest students in grades 9-12 across the country are given an opportunity to compete for $20,000 to use toward art supplies and college studies. In 2011 my student Moriah Nelson became the first student finalist ever selected out of Washington, D.C., for this exciting competition. The company shipped a life sized cow to our campus where she prepared her design on the entire sculpture. Ultimately, Moriah was not named the winner, however the experience she gained in participating in the process was one that will help prepare her for the challenge of life's successes and failures. Moriah named the cow “Billy” and she still sits in the TMA outdoor garden.
Project | 02
COR 2013 | The Harlem Renaissance:
re-mixed & re-imagined
In its third consecutive year Celebrating Our Roots had enjoyed great success; teaching, inspiring and entertaining the TMA campus and community. This year’s theme brought together an exciting cast of characters to showcase the artistry of the Harlem Renaissance. TMA students and faculty, as well as professional performers transported the audience to Harlem, New York circa 1920, when a rebirth of African-American visual art, music, dance and literature changed the face of American culture. This year we proudly featured the professional talents of the Star Makers Academy of Dance and the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra.
Project | 03
TMA 2013 | East of the River Grant
The East of the River Grant was one of many successfully secured grants on my behalf while teaching at TMA. This grant request was in support of the project “The Great G-ART-en of Anacostia” at Thurgood Marshall Academy. The school is home to “The Great Garden of Anacostia,” the second largest school garden in DC and the largest organic garden “East of the River.” The garden provides an open, green space for youth from both Thurgood Marshall Academy and neighboring Savoy Elementary School to enjoy; helps students and their families learn about healthy eating choices, local and sustainable agriculture; and serves as a site for innovative, garden-based lessons in subjects such as math, science, Spanish, and health.
“The Great G-ART-en of Anacostia” will open the garden to collaboration with student artists at Thurgood Marshall Academy, who will install sculptures on school grounds and transform the garden into a space for student-led community arts projects. Art Club students will design, create, and install mural, two sculptures made from recycled materials on the school grounds inspired by D.C. artist Manatho Shumba Masani, and one motif picnic bench inspired by the work of artist Faith Ringgold.
Project | 04
COR 2014 | Nawlins' Style!
Thurgood Marshall Academy celebrates it's 4th Annual Black History Month Celebration. This year’s extravaganza was entitled, “Celebrating Our Roots: Nawlins’ Style!” Celebrating Our Roots aims to provide an avenue for our students and the greater community to celebrate African and African-American culture and heritage through visual and performing art in an exciting and interactive event. On this day we celebrated all things New Orleans, where we took our guests on a journey that shares the origins of the rich history and cultural influences of New Orleans, Louisiana. This year we proudly featured the professional talents of the DuPont Brass Band, Star Makers Academy of Dance and Janice the Griot.
Project | 05
2017 | Commissioned Mural
The Rock Solid Fitness in Baltimore, MD was my second home. After a conversation about the stark white walls and revelation to the owner that I was an artist, she immediately commissioned me to design and complete a inspirational mural in the lobby of the center. I was happy to oblige and the result was a more than satisfied client.