December 21, 2011

Dear Friends,

A year ago this week Pros Arts Studio staff walked into its office and discovered that it had been burglarized—gone was the entire computer lab that served youth, adults and seniors in our community.  In a whirlwind of activity from a police investigation to getting the word out to the media we made a few discoveries: bad news travel faster than good news and there will always be good people ready to provide a hand to help you back up.  Supporters from all over the city, nearby suburbs and as far as Texas sent contributions, or dropped by to donate computer equipment to ensure our winter programs were not affected.  As a result of this support we were able to rebuild our youth and mobile lab and provide the following computer art programs in 2011:

-FREE weeklong access to our computer lab which provides additional homework and job application support for youth and adults.
-Journey, Migrations and the Document a digital photography After School Matters teen apprenticeship program.
-Blogging and instructional videos created by our teens in our Tejer y Poder (knit and crochet, fiber-arts classes).  
-Can you hear my world? The spring and fall classes where youth created soundscapes and animations of Pilsen.   

In collaboration with neighboring organizations like Yollocalli, Rudy Lozano Leadership Academy and The Resurrection Project we were able to provide the following classes:  
-Tweens created short animation videos that were aired on CAN-TV.
-Teens learned about documentary production.
-Seniors learned the foundation of computer and internet use.

Serving over 600 unduplicated participants, these programs are not only creative opportunities for the community we serve, they are also critical resources that build on 21st Century technology skills empowering our youth and continuing to eliminate the digital divide.  

As you finalize your end-of-year giving, consider continuing to support our programs with a gift, it will bring us closer to our ambitious goal of $15,000 in new donor dollars.  Thank you for your continuous support and may this new year bring renewed hope and change!

Sincerely,
Pros Arts Studio

Fall Schedule 2011
Weekly Class offerings run Sept 9th - Dec 16th. 

Community Youth Arts Programs

Ideas en Arcilla: Clay Studio @ Dvorak Park
09.23.11 to 12.09.11
Youth Classes (ages 6 to 12) Friday, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Community Classes (all ages) Friday, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Clay studio @ Dvorak Park Basement. Participants create clay projects as they explore Dia de los Muertos tradition and later learn about the history of corn.

Este Otoño los estudiantes de Ideas en Arcilla aprenderan a crear objetos que reflejan la tradición del Dia de los Muertos y la historia del maíz en Mesoamerica.

Calavera Circus
09.19.11 to 11.28.11
(ages 8 and up) Tuesday & Thursday, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Fall participants are immersed into the world of circus arts and performance, exploring the tradition of Dia de los Muertos while learning to juggle, and spin plates. Returning students explore advanced dexterity skills on uni-cycles, stilt-walking and more. Final showcase is on November 2nd for the 32nd annual Pros Arts Studio, Muertos de la Risa Community
Procession.

Para el Otoño los participantes aprenden las artes del circo y exploran la tradición del Día de los Muertos, mientras que aprenden a malabarear platos, a montar el uni-ciclo, a caminar en zancos y mucho más. El evento final tomará lugar el 2 de Noviembre en Dvorak Park, donde los estudiantes participan en una presentación al público de la cominudad y en la procesión annual de Muertos de la Risa.

Can you hear my world?
10.03.11 to 12.12.11
(ages 6-11) Monday & Tuesday 4:00-6:00 p.m.
When you are asked to describe where you live in Chicago, what do you say? Do you describe the homes, stores, or restaurants? Do you describe the people? All of these things are important in truly knowing a place, but what about sound? Come join the hunt as we use still photography
and soundscapes to discover this place called Pilsen. Learn how to use sound recording equipment and Photoshop to create your own soundscape that shows Pilsen through your ears, eyes, and creative mind.

¿Qué dices cuando tienes que describir el lugar donde vives en Chicago? Describes las casas, las tiendas o los restaurates? Describes a la gente? Todas esas cosas importantes que se reconocen de un lugar, pero que hay de los sonidos? Ven y unete a la busqueda, usando el arte fotográfico y los paisajes sonoros para descubrir este lugar llamado Pilsen. Aprende a usar equipo de audio y photoshop para crear tu propio paisaje sonoro y pinta a Pilsen con ondas auditivas, visuales y mentes creativas.

Download the Fall 2011 class schedule and registration form. Click here for PDF.

After School Matters @ PAS:
Teens should begin their application for ASM apprenticeships at Pros Arts Studios by visiting www.afterschoolmatters.org and looking up and selecting the titles of programs listed below.

Fall 2011 programs:

Tejer y Poder
Description: Tejer y Poder is a knit/crochet program where apprentices learn and practice traditional and contemporary forms as a means to explore cultural identity, labor and social issues. In addition, apprentices document knitters/crocheters in their community and families via writing and digital photography. Throughout the summer, apprentices will learn and apply concepts sequentially, allowing them to evolve artistically while exploring the fiber arts world and Do-It-Yourself culture. The final project will be a collaborative, large-scale, art installation that teens will conceptualize, design and create.
Instructor(s): Adriana Baltazar, Thelma Uranga
Schedule:

Journeys/Migrations and the Document: A digital photography program
Instructor: Anthony Rea
Schedule: 

J-Def Peace Project
Description: Teens will be introduced to the documentary film "19 and a Day: Life and Times of Jeff Abbey Maldonado Jr". The project will consist of creating a mural where teens will explore their experiences of loss and healing in an effort to raise awareness of peace and conflict resolution.
Instructor(s): Denise Carrasco, Jeff Abbey Maldonado
Schedule:

For more info on ASM programs at Pros Arts Studio: 312.226.7767.

• Wanted: mentors and teen participants. 
  
• Upcoming event: Youth Cafe-Building a Portfolio (two-part session: 9.28.10 & 10.05.10) will give students the basics of building a portfolio, selecting work, preparing a works sample page, and ultimately preparing for the upcoming National Portfolio Day at the School of the Art Institute (Oct. 24). Intended for HS juniors and seniors, this is a great opportunity for anyone thinking about art after high school and as a career.  Location TBA. 
  
• Each One/Reach One information packet.
  

Pros Arts Studio' Mission
For over thirty years Pros Arts Studio has used the arts as a catalyst for youth development. A dedicated cadre of teaching artists and youth inspire and support each other as art makers and active citizens. We create youth-activated safe spaces through three core programs: In-School Residencies, Out-of-School-Time Programs, and Community Celebrations.  In our vision of the future, Pros Arts Studio animates and elevates the quality of life for every citizen in our community through equal access to the arts.

Join the PAS Network

A donation in any amount will allow us to continue to provide free programming to the youth in our schools and community centers and ensure that together we pave a brighter future for them.

Help us get funding through IIC at no cost to you! Click to learn more about IIC.

 

For more information:

In Residency at Dvorak Park  1119 W Cullerton Chicago, IL 60608

Mailing Address: PO Box 08191 Chicago, IL 60608  Phone: (312) 226-7767 Fax: (312) 226-7012 Email: info@prosarts.org