pari valad

Organization: Jubilee Arts, Baltimore, MD

Course: Intro to Video 2014

Grade Level: Middle School/High School 

These images are stills taken from a group video project. The objective of this class was to collectively work together to create a video PSA in conjunction with an issue facing the Baltimore community. As a class we went to several community meetings to research the type of issues that could be the source material for the subject of the PSA. The students decided to make a video about the Baltimore Food Drought, which simply explained is that it is very difficult to be able to find nutritious and whole foods in Baltimore because there are so few grocery stores. This makes the temptation to consume unhealthy options very high. The class decided to focus on this aspect of the Food Drought, and decided to write a parody of popular Rap about making healthy food choices. They recorded and editing the audio, and filmed and edited the material. Certain students took this opportunity to expand on interests they had artistically outside of video making, such as drawing and painting. Some students worked on creating props, and others animation to be used as the background of the video. The video was then screened at a community gathering and for several other events promoting positive change in the Baltimore community.

Organization: The Young School, Columbia, MD

Course: Art Studio 2015

Grade Level: Pre-K

The above photo features the entire preschool class of the Young School, a private institution in Columbia, Maryland. As an art teacher there I really wanted to employ an importance of conservation and sustainability. This meant utilizing recycling in the classroom. We started a recycling drive and practiced collecting and reusing materials in our art work. The students became very excited and interested in this practice. Around the same time I had a colleague who was organizing a massive art installation with activist and artist Bridget Parlato. The project called for participants to bring in their recyclables to be used to create a “river” through an urban landscape in Baltimore City. I thought this was a great way to get my students engaged in community art, and learn more about recycling. This is one of my more impressive feats as an educator as I had to orchestrate a field trip for 40 five year olds. I was told by administration that I was one of the first teachers in almost 10 years to organize a field trip outside of the curriculum. Overall the entire event went smoothly, and the students ended up with a full page photo in Paper the next day.