16 times • JUNE 9, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com Art for Thought: Ridgewood students display collaborative artwork in Forest Park BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI [email protected] @QueensCourier Students and faculty from Ridgewood’s P.S. 75 gathered on June 6 to celebrate the public exhibition of their artwork at Forest Park. In collaboration with Learning through an Expanded Arts Program (LeAp), sixth-grade students from P.S. 75 worked together to hone their creativity and express their concerns about the issues that affect their community. “The program is an in-school program during the school day,” said LeAp founder Alexandra Leff. “It starts in late January in the school, and our teaching artists work with the classroom teachers to deliver the program.” LeAp’s Public Art Program is in its ninth year and seeks to encourage middle school students in all five boroughs to voice their ideas and interact with their communities through art. P.S. 75 and nearby I.S. 77 were the two Queens schools involved with the project this year. At the beginning of the program, students and teachers discuss what social issues they have observed within their communities and learn about the history of public art as a means of communication. After these discussions, the students decide which issues they would like to tackle and begin their artistic process. “Ultimately, they create these collaborative murals using the surfaces of a cafeteria table to express themselves,” Leff said. “Once they find their issue, they research it, and they come up with a message.” P.S 75’s bench mural, entitled “SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING, DO SOMETHING,” addresses issues of bullying, apathy and gun violence using photography, painting and canvas paper. In collaboration with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, each of the 10 schools involved will have their final arttable pieces displayed in a city park within its neighborhood. “It feels good,” said student-artist Jhamari Joe. “It’s a chance to feel, ‘Finally, we get to shine, and have somebody hear our thoughts.’” Fellow student Elias Melendez also felt empowered by the project. “We’re trying to tell the people, that if you see something, you must say something,” said Melendez. Melendez also said the project has sparked an interest in painting, and he hopes to continue to develop his skills. “It makes me feel confident,” said student-artist Jeremiah Meredith. “When people see the table, I want to express to them how confident you can be if you just do the right thing without having to be reminded or told.” The art table will be on display June through August and can be found by entering the Forest Park Drive and 80th Street entrance of the park. For more information about the program, visit leapnyc.org. RIDGEWOOD TIMES/Photo by Suzanne Monteverdi Students from P.S. 75Q pose at their art benches with school administrators and LeAp Director Alexandra Leff. German Children for Lessons Bilingual German After School Program NY State Accredited Language Program Low Tuition Minimum Age: 4 Years No Previous German Necessary Classes Meet Once a Week Playgroup Age 4-5 From 4:30-6:15 Kindergarten Age 5-6 • Other Classes Ages 7-15 Four convenient locations in the Greater New York Area: Ridgewood, Queens, Manhattan, NY (Upper East Side) Franklin Square, Garden City. Classes start second week in September For more information see: www.German-American-School.org Teaching German for 119 years! or call 212-787-7543 QWIK PACK & SHIP Of Queens NY • Professional Packing • Domestic & International Shipping • Printing & Document Services • Fax Services • Freight & Air Cargo • Computer & Internet Access • Mailbox Rental • Retail & Specialty Items • Ofi ce/Business Services • Utility Bill Payment • Document Shredding • Document Scanning • Signs & Banners • Laminating • We Sell Boxes ONE LOCATION TO GET IT ALL DONE Whether you need a package to get there ASAP, or need a conveniently located business center with a knowledgable staff, we’re here for you. We’ll help you take care of business affordably. $5.OO OFF Regular Priced Purchase Of $25.00 Or More With coupon. Not valid towards stamps purchases and MoneyGram services. Valid only at QPS Queens. Not valid towards stamp purchases or MoneyGramservices. Maximum 1 coupon per customer, per day. Excludes flat rate shipping prices. Store decision is final. 67-43 Myrtle Ave., Glendale, NY 11385 718-366-4175 • www.qpsqueens.com call or visit us online TODAY! Services qwik pack & ship
RT06092016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above