YUCA staff and students gather for a pose.

Some of you may be wondering what YUCA has been up to over the past year. Aside from our regular, weekly classes, we’ve been extremely busy providing art workshops to youth in a number of Bronx neighborhoods. Here is a recap of some of the events we launched, wonderful venues which gave our students an opportunity to show off their talents!

Schyler proudly points to his entry wearing
 a YUCA t-shirt saying Educate, Inspire, and Defend.

Last May YUCA took part in the second annual Highbridge Community Fair. Aside from helping to organize the event alongside the Public Library and various CBOs, YUCA collaborated with Bridge Builders, and focused most of its attention on sponsoring a citywide skateboard design contest. The event was a tremendous success! Youth from as far out as Brooklyn submitted skate decks; some pieces were elaborately hand painted, while others were less complicated designs. 1st, 2^nd, and 3^rd prizes were awarded to the most outstanding entries, and no one walked away empty-handed. Certificates and YUCA T-shirts were handed out to all who participated. Local artists helped judge the competition. After the winning contestants were announced, there was much talk among those who were in attendance to hold the contest again this coming Spring. 

Sisters, Mina and Marybeth get busy painting the mural.

One of the most exciting YUCA venture to date has to be the mural project we initiated this past summer. Staff and students spent well over 10 weeks at a community garden in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx creating a 20’ x 30’ foot mural honoring local community activist Joe Perez. 

Mural at Bronx garden on 146th St & Willis Ave.

The idea was born out of a real need to honor one of our own, a community organizer who gave so much to the neighborhood he obviously loved. Joe played an instrumental role fighting for environmental justice in the South Bronx, not to mention advocating on behalf the city's youth. If it had something to do with righting wrongs, you’d find him in the front lines ready to lead the way. The mural was our small way of giving back to someone we came to respect, love, and admire. YUCA also felt the project would be a great way to connect with local residents by getting them involved in a worth while initiative, get more youth involved in YUCA art classes, and celebrate the community Joe spent most of his life fighting to protect. 

YUCA students and volunteers work side by side.

The mural also offered our students a chance to develop new skills. Youth spent a couple of weeks working with artisan Henry Peña who guided them on how to properly construct a wall; they got a kick out of using power tools to complete the wooden structure before the painting actually began. The remaining time was spent designing, sketching and painting the final piece. When it was all done, we invited many of Joe’s friends and family members to dedicate the mural and participate in a community wide, traditional style barbecue celebration. We even roasted a large pig!

Muralists take a break to re-energize and strike a pose!

The entire project would not have been possible without the tremendous support YUCA received from our partners. It was a collaboration involving Community Connections for Youth, Inc. (CCFY) and the New York Restorative Project (NYRP). In fact, it was through NYRP’s efforts, we were able to identify the Willis Avenue community garden as the location where the mural would eventually reside. Be sure to check out the mural once the garden reopens in May.

Talent show poster inviting the community to participate.

Tony Pantoja shares his poetry.

YUCA students receive certificates.

Another huge success was the “Mix on 146,” a multi-discipline, art talent show YUCA spearheaded last December. The event took place at the Mott Haven Reformed Church, thanks to Senior Pastor, Patricia Sealy who was super gung ho about the idea since its inception. She volunteered to allow area youth to use her church as the venue for showcasing the broad spectrum of talent. Musicians, Poets, Graphic Artists, Painters and Graf artists, all came out, performed, and lent their support to what turned out to be an all day extravaganza. In addition to the great performances, art vendors were permitted to sell their crafts, artists exhibited work, and plenty of food and refreshments were provided. We look forward to being able to have a similar event later in the year.

Youth were encouraged to share their art!

If you feel a bit left out, don’t despair! We currently have a YUCA workshop for you that is bound to get your artistic juices flowing … “Not Your Grandma’s Quilt” workshop got underway two weeks ago and has already drawn much praise form its participants. The workshop shows novice and expert quilters alike new ways of planning, designing, and constructing a contemporary quilt. 

But that’s not all … once designed, the quilt pieces will then be sent to Gandia, Spain to be constructed by Art I Mes club de Patchwork, a group of women quilters who come together each week and share their experiences with the community. Once these master craftspeople finish sewing the quilt, the piece will exhibit in Spain before heading back to the Bronx. YUCA staff members are already making arrangements with local galleries and museums about providing a venue for exhibiting the quilt once it arrives. So don't miss out on the fun ... get involved! For more information about participating in this project, please call 646.573.4461, or download an event flyer from our website at yucaarts.org. Interested students will be required to register for the class. Registration forms are also available on the website. Artists are also welcomed to participate.

Two must see exhibits this month

YUCA is encouraging its students to start the new year right by taking in a couple of must see exhibits. The first is a local photo exhibit on display a few blocks away from where we had our talent show last December in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. “Sies del Sur”, opened today on Courtlandt Avenue and will be there until March 8th, 2013. It brilliantly showcases the talent of six Puerto Rican photographers who have been busy documenting the South Bronx for decades. The artists decided a group show was past due, and as a consequence birthed this collaboration. The photography captures a slice of Bronx life in a very intimate way, during a very tumultuous period in the Boro's history. We encourage everyone to make it a point to get to the gallery and see the world through the eyes of these talented artists before the show closes.

 The other show features three visual arts working in various mediums, painting, drawing, and sculpture. Earlier today, YUCA students and staff were able get into Manhattan, the Rush gallery on 26th street (Chelsea section of Manhattan) and listen in as the exhibiting artists engaged their audience in a panel discussion unpacking personal backgrounds and the motivation behind their work. It was standing room only but well worth the inconvenience. As the lead curator put it, the works are “exhibitions of visual interventions: pulsations of sorts that capture a deep nostalgia for home shared by some of the most moving artists of the black diaspora”. Try to get out there this week since this exhibit will show only through January 25th, 2013. 

YUCA online presence gets a facelift 2013

Be on the lookout for a overhaul of the YUCA website in 2013. The new site launches in late January. That's www.yucaarts.org ... check it out and tell us what you think. We're also making every effort to reach our community partners, educators, artists, and most importantly, our youth by developing and maintaining a stronger social media presence online. Help us out by checking out our Facebook fan page and liking us; and follow us on Twitter and share events of interest. You can also give us feedback on utube, and/or our website blogs. In turn, we'll keep you abreast of YUCA events, contests, and activities throughout the year, as well as invite you to collaborate with us in forthcoming community initiatives. Look forward to sharing a powerful and transformative year. All things are possible if you only believe!  

YUCA Artists Celebrate Community Fair

More than 50 community organizations, political representatives, health care agencies, churches, and volunteer groups turned out Saturday for the Highbridge Community Fair. Organized by a  team of CBOs which included YUCA and the Highbridge Library Council, the Community Fair especially gave YUCA students, faculty, and staff a chance to let the Highbridge community know what our art program has to offer.

The well-prepared, YUCA artists arrived early, at 8:30 a.m. when the neighborhood was being cleared for the event. By doing so, they were able to set up their respective tables well before the event kick-off. YUCA youngsters were joined by other Bronx artists. A special shout out goes to artist Alejandra Delfin and her team of artists from the Point, a non-profit located in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx. Their participation added to the creative mix, making the event all the more special. 

All the artists did a phenomenal job of packaging and branding t-shirts, skateboard designs, paintings, crafts, etc. Some students actually set up tents and displays surrounding their tables,  a strategic move in order to attract passerbys. There were also plenty of giveaways handed out to local residents. Yankee ballcaps and t-shirts, books, and giftcards. Free food and refreshments were also provided.
Ximena Rua-Merkin, Senior Consultant at Community Resource Exchange, hopes to build on the momentum generated at the Community Fair. "I'd like to see community organizations come together in a possible networking breakfast where the planning of future joint community activities might be explored,'" she said. Her organization had staff members manning a table at the fair.

Most everyone in the Highbridge community were blown away with the wonderful activities. Residents said there was so much going on on every level. They loved the entertainment, provided by an extensive list of musicians, dancers, singers, and the Highbridge choir!
Kudos to the librarian at the Highbridge library, Margaret Fleesak who did a wonderful job of hosting most of the planning sessions, and providing space within the library for YUCA's electronic display. Thanks to those who attended for your unwavering support and participation!

2011 Highbridge Community Fair

The High Bridge Library Council and the YUCA Arts Program in collaboration with several community organizations, civic and business leaders, and clergy are  sponsoring a community-wide Library/Health/Art Fair on May 21st, 2011 from  9am to 5pm. The purpose of the Fair is to promote the Highbridge Library re-opening, to increase health awareness through education and prevention, and celebrate the artistic talent of our youth as we empower them through the visual arts. 
All the participating organizations believe the Fair will provide a valuable service to our community. We are asking all New York City residents to come out and join the festivities. We also extend a warm invitation to community leaders and their respective organizations to get involved. Your participation will help us in our efforts. We want to provide (basic health screenings, and blood pressure checks) as well as a variety of informational booths designed to help the community become aware of the many  programs, services, and providers located in the surrounding Highbridge community. The fair will also include giveaways, food, an art exhibit by local young artists, enteritainment, and much more!
The Fair will be open to the entire Highbridge community. We anticipate an attendance of approximately well over 1,000 people. We are asking community leaders that each participant provide some form of information/educational materials, demonstration, or service for the Event.
The fair will take place this spring both inside the Highbridge Library as well as in Martin Luther King Triangle, which is the park property directly across the street from the Highbridge Library.  We would ask you and your organization to consider participating and tabling in this event and to help in the planning for this event by attending our next planning meeting March 16^th at 10am in the Highbridge Library at 78 West 168^th Street. We are excited about providing this event to our community and look forward to all of you being there.

Phipps Beacon & YUCA Offer Free After School Program

Free graphic design classes are now being offered through a Phipps Beacon and YUCA collaboration. The first class began this week and will continue twice weekly over the next 18 weeks at the Urban Assembly CIVIC school located at 650 Hollywood Avenue, Bronx, NY 10456. 
This after school course is designed to help students learn about graphic design as a commercial art form as well as reinforce the themes and topics covered in class. Students will learn about traditional techniques, including typography, page layout, and color theory. They will also have an opportunity to transform themselves into the motifs and designs that will be reflected in three class projects. All students will be required to creat a class portfolio of their work. 

An underlying goal of these projects is to help students think critically about art, history, culture, and design, how it is constructed, presented, and interpreted. In addition, students will gain an understanding of the process involved in developing commercial art ventures such as posters, t-shirts, brochures, and silk screened t-shirts from beginning to end.
It's is a great way for someone who is considering going into graphic design as a career to get started. You will have a chance to get your “feet wet” and see if pursuing a career in graphic design is right for you. Come out, Tuesday and Thursday, from 6pm - 8pm to see what you can learn and how well you grasp working with Photoshop, and Illustrator. The classes are taught using  new Apple Imac computers and running the latest version of Adobe's Creative Suite (CS5). 
For those who have their sight set on college, this program can jump start you into graphic designing and prepare you for more formal educational pursuits in the future. Give us a call if you're a Teenager, age 14 - 19, and are looking for something cool to get into for the next 18 weeks. 646.573.4461 or email william@yucaarts.org.  Seats are limited so an application must be completed before joining the class. You can also drop by any Tuesday or Thursday to speak to the instructor and request an application in person.

Replace Spofford with viable community based programs

Join the United to Stop Spofford campaign on March 23rd, 4-6pm as it gathers to demand the City close Spofford. Once the jail is permanently shut down, we are proposing the facility be turned over to the South Bronx community, and social programs be supported that ensure the success of our youth. 

Our kids need a variety of training initiatives. In addition to programs which offer classes in resume writing, interviewing skills, time management, many of our youngsters need basic life skills preparation. For example, training on how to communicate with adults, how to dress for an interview, and how to be on time. Computer literacy is also a programming area that would help them succeed. YUCA is presently providing technology and art training to students and hopes to extend this training to youth in or recently released from incarceration.

Young people who have been incarcerated are more likely to be repeat offenders as adults. Communities have a responsibility to try and help youth to ensure that this doesn't happen.Thus, various programming that will help them succeed is critically needed and, even desired by youth themselves. Educators, parents, community organizations, and clergy working together have a great opportunity to stem the tide and help high-risk youngster reach their God-given potential.

The rally will take place outside of the Bridges Juvenile Detention Center (formerly known as Spofford), located at 1221 Spofford Ave (Between Tiffany and Casanova Streets) in the Bronx.

For more information contact Avery Irons at 212-697-2323.