Detroit Neighborhood Arts Corps Update!

Dear Parents and friends of DNAC students…

The Detroit Neighborhood Arts Corps (DNAC) is off and running on/in what appears to be so far, a very innovative and creative new year! The purpose of this online newsletter is to keep you informed as to what DNAC is doing and to hopefully gain your support and encouragement with the process of keeping your child/student active in both productivity and attendance. Do not hesitate to contact any of our staff directly at any time for additional information or resources you may need to keep DNAC strong and forward moving.

Our main project for this DNAC season is the installation of a mural at the Redford Branch of the Detroit Public library. This commissioned public art project is focused on encouraging young patrons of the library to become lifelong readers & and users of this gem of a public library. The development of this mural will be the complete design and artistic work of the DNAC students. There will also be input from the Redford community patrons, library staff and other skilled artisans from our communities.

During the last three weeks the DNAC students have studied and practiced under master artist/educators; Joye Ofei and Odette-Duke Holley . The DNAC students have covered:

• Thumbnail sketching; principles & practices

• Paintbrush styles and techniques

• Best practices for the usage of acrylic paints

• The beginning dynamics and essentials of portrait paintings; to include monochromatic value formats

• Cross-hatch color lines

• Color transitioning from dark to light

• 3D illusionary techniques in painting

• Study of geometric and organic shapes on a flat surface

• Abstract background design in colors

In the coming week, the DNAC students will meet at the Redford branch library to do site study work and analysis of the mural project.

Check out our programs for 2010!

Detroit Neighborhood Arts Corps (DNAC)

For High School students

Classes are ongoing. Saturdays 1:00–5:00pm

College for Creative Studies, Taubman Center, Room 604

460 W. Baltimore, Detroit, MI 48202

Detroit Neighborhood Arts Workshops (DNAW) EAST

For grades 6-9

Classes are ongoing. Saturdays 2:00–4:30pm

Matrix Center · 13560 E. McNichols, Detroit, MI 48205

Detroit Neighborhood Arts Workshops (DNAW) WEST

For grades 6-9

Classes are ongoing. Saturdays 10:30am–1:00pm

Detroit Public Library, Redford Branch

21200 Grand River, Detroit, MI 48219

For information or to sign up for any of the above programs, contact Lawrence Lunsford at 313-664-1550 or lmlunsford@gmail.com

Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Bring 2-3 pieces of the students best quality artwork to the first day of class. Parents: Please plan to fill out a registration form.

Here are some photos of our kids in action!

CAP in the New York Times!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/us/22detroit.html

A recent New York Times article discusses several programs from CAP and our partners.

"What It Means To Me" By Ben Wright

Entering high school as a skinny fourteen-year old could have been a traumatizing experience for me. But I discovered a that my love and talent in visual arts could be therapeutic and comforting to me, when the world was codand did not feel how I was expressing myself. It was my artwork which became very personal and I pulled further and further away from sharing my work with others. Knowing this, my Mother pulled me from beneath my bed sheets and brought me to the DNAW art class.

Not only did I grow as a visual artist, during these secessions of creative exposure I met and worked with established artists . The majority of the classes were instructed by Vera Smith, our interactions forced me to I grow an community citizen. She encouraged to to see my art in all phases of my life. The work that I did strengthened both my artistic skills and my appropriation for all art forms but it also restored my confidence as an individual. I believe that this unique program is capable in building character, a since of responsibility, and a since of value in this city's youngsters. While identifying the spectrum which radiates all the colors in the relationships and life.

In times of economic hardships, the arts flourish... and I have witness the life changing experience that this program offers each and every one of its students first hand... being one of them and all. -Ben Wright