Unconventional Spaces Artist
Three focus points
THE TEACHING ARTISTS COHORT
Selected Cleveland artists will join Unconventional Spaces and work to develop/co-create a youth-based interactive art program and present an original performance for the community.
Youth & Family Based Programming
Teaching Artists selected with expertise in different art mediums (i.e. dance, drawing, painting, photography, music, acting, etc) to lead in school or after-school programming teaching youth about the importance of nutrition.
Community Pop-Up Performances
This project will develop and produce a series of pop-up performances in Cleveland highlighting issues that affect our communities the most. Through their own original pieces, local artists will shed light on food health and security to spread awareness and advocacy on these issues utilizing different mediums of dance, spoken word, and music.
OUR SPACES
Local Spaces
Expose Cleveland residents to local gems in the community.
Original pieces created at Urban Farms, Gardens and markets in the area.
FOOD, ART, AND THE COMMUNITY
The connection
Many artists and organizations today combine food and art to promote humanitarian issues like food sustainability, environmental health, and social justice. This is an opportunity to get students and their families to lean into their artistic side and learn about the importance of healthy food choices and issues related to food and nutrition.
As local residents have created space for gardens and new opportunities to encompass the community. Performances led in these neighborhoods will be an impactful way to educate and bring people together and an important piece to the Unconventional Space project.
The artist connection
Snapshot of Youth based Program & Pop-Up Performances
Teaching Artists will partner with schools to facilitate and lead an 8-week in-school or after-school art and nutrition program:
- 6 Local Cleveland Artist
- 4 types of artistic mediums presented
- 2 schools and 2 youth based organizations
- Outcomes captured
Stay tuned for the sign-up sheets and welcome meetings!
syrmylin r. cartwright, aka chef sugar bear
Syrmylin R. Cartwright has a background in theatre and the culinary arts. His journey started as a costume designer and a ballet dancer. He attributes his interest in the creative arts to his sisters and mother, who gave him the space to create and explore his creative interests. This past spring, Syrmylin had the opportunity to participate in the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning's professional development training that has assisted the artist and educator with new and innovative ways to engage with youth of this generation. He currently works with children at CMSD's John F. Kennedy high school in theatre residency where he teaches students the ins and outs of putting on a show.
ALANA JOHNS
Alana Johns is a sophomore at Case Western Reserve University where they study religious studies, bioethics and medical humanities, and public health. They are interested in pursuing a career in maternal and child health promotion. They knew at a young age that they wanted to pursue a career that would enrich the lives of children. Growing up, their grandmother worked at a non-profit summer camp and this is where they were first introduced to child care. This experience exposed them to childhood poverty and food insecurity and it taught them the importance of community outreach. Alana spends their free time longboarding, rock climbing, and reading.
“I am excited to work as the Unconventional Spaces Artist Ambassador! This is an exciting opportunity to teach children in our community about the importance of their nutrition.”
RaShawn Carter
Working predominantly with ink, acrylic, and watercolor paint, artist RaShawn Carter has been able to contribute their take on themes regarding color and mental health through their ongoing practice. Most noted for his exploration and use of vibrant color and light, Carter has occupied a number of physical spaces including East Tech High School, John Adams High School, and the Old South End of Toledo, OH.
Nikki dickerson
Bio Coming Soon
Sequoia Bostick
Sequoia Bostick is an Illustrator, maker, and designer living in Cleveland, Ohio.
After earning her BFA in Illustration from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2014, she pursued a career as a resident teaching artist where she works with local youth to grow their visual art skills all while growing her own artistic practice as a multi-disciplinary freelancer. She is a project-oriented artist and loves working with others on large assignments.
Shay
Shay is a self-taught dancer born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. During her junior year in high school, she took her first Jazz funk class in Akron, Ohio & continued on her dance & fitness journey.
After high school, Shay became an assistant choreographer for dance conventions where she got to travel around the US. That is where she found her love for teaching kids & adults of all ages about dance, fitness, and living a healthy lifestyle. Shortly after training with dance conventions, she pursued her talents in Los Angeles, California. She’s trained in Jazz, ballet, hip hop, Afro, and heels.
For more information CONTACT US!
The program is currently closed
Instagram: unconventional_spaces_cfac