Finally: A Studio Art Elective at RRG

Ever since I've started here at RRGHST I've been pushing for students to have an elective art class. The amount of students asking me why they can never take art again after freshmen year was overwhelming..... and I never had an answer for them. As an artist and somebody who found little interest in any subject matter other than art, I can't imagine going through high school taking one introductory art class and never taking art again. School would be boring for a visual learner like myself. Not having that offered is a disservice to students anywhere, especially in a city like a New York. I can't stand hearing "well art isn't a priority in one's education". That a bunch of BS. Visual literacy and creative thinking is more important now more than ever for our from advertising, to phone apps , to emojis, to fine art, dancing, music, designing, critical thinking, to overall academic performance..... the list goes on. Visual literacy and math are the only languages that everybody can translate from all cultures worldwide or without knowing any specific language.
This is the first year our students have been offered a second year art course. Hopefully it's just the beginning of more to come and not a one year deal. Here are some light and shadow studies we did during the first week using a piece of masking tape and pencils. These kids are amazing. #nycdoeproblems #rrg #rrghst #brianbachisin #rrgartnyc #rrgart

Night of the Arts 2017

Night of the Arts 2017

Night of the Arts 2017

Night of the Arts 2017

Self portraits, some in progress

Coffee Can Still Life

Some amazing still life work from RRG Freshmen students 2016-17. These are 1st year art students. A perfect example of why students should have the option to take art throughout high school, not only one year. Talent like this needs to built and encouraged in school, not exposed then thrown away. Unfortunately, these students of mine will not be taking art ever again in high school after their freshmen year unless they pursue it on their own time, take it privately, or switch schools. The schools in NYC that offer advanced art classes with required prerequisites are scarce and often difficult to get into. These are Title 1 students and do not have the finances to pursue art privately. Would you believe art is not an option to all students once they complete one year of it in public schools? NYC is one of the art capitals of the world. This is not equality for all students. #equalityforallstudents #brianbachisin #rrghst
#rrgart #highschoolart #nycart

Mixed Media Workshop

Consistent and constant communication is essential in the working relationship between teachers, parents, and students and leads to a smoother roadway to success for students. RRGHST offered an art workshop for parents that I was fortunate enough to facilitate. We had a peaceful evening of creating art together and got to all go home with a masterpiece!

Abstract/ POP Projects

By Carmen, Samayah, Hannah, and Chioma

By Oleksii

Dimitri, Rachel, and Kiara with some powerful imagery

Work by Melissa, Thania, Gardenia, and Adlin

Frida, Alejandra, Angel, and Mario layering bursts of color and gradation


 

Here are some finished products of the Abstract / POP Projects done in Studio Art 1. Seeing these in a photo does not do them justice because the actual size of most of these are 48"x 24" where the contrasting colors really pop. The individual projects are a smaller size of 12"x 18" or paired projects at 24"x 18".
Doing this project for numerous years I get to see how popular influences on our students change, differ, and have stayed the same since I was a kid. Such influences include super heroes old and new, musical tastes, fads, clothing lines, technology, television, film, and literature. The personal statements students made through their artwork range from happiness to humorous to dramatic to terrifying.
Some powerful images include our presidential candidates as villains surrounded by superheroes. A faceless black man in a hoodie in broken chains with a gun pointed at his head encapsulates the discrimination and violence we encounter too often in the present day. Biggee, Tupac, an old boom box, headphones, and a Compton lid are exhibited to let us know that old school hip hop culture hasn't been lost by this generation. Minions are funny enough as is, but a blue minion with fangs? Who doesn't like minions? Darth Vader riding T-Rex and Clifford the Dog being jumped by anime characters would make a fantastic story line too. There is a little something for everybody in these projects. Way to go RRG artists and thank you for collaborating, staying on task, following through, and delighting us with these amazing works of art.