After School Student

Persaphanie’s Return to Summer Academy

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“Mr. Christopher, you know that I am coming to the Summer program.”

“Yes, Persaphanie, I know you will.”

“Mr. Christopher, you know that I am going to come here every year.”

“Yes, Persaphanie, we are here for you.”

“Mr. Christopher, you know that I am going to work here someday.”

“Yes, Persaphanie, we want you to.”

This was the gist of just one conversation, one of many, which I have had with Persaphanie, the precocious first grader, a few weeks ago. I believe each one of you reading this right now has had the good fortune to meet a youngster like Persaphanie; if you bought a raffle ticket at our Feast for the Senses auction benefit, you will know who she is.  A young person who, like the Persephone of Greek myth, brings with her and plants vibrant pulses of goodness wherever she trods.

Our good fortune blew in on a calm and cool breeze last July when Persaphanie walked from her morning summer program at Macdonough school.  Regardless of the heat outside, she had a smile on her face. Actually, almost every student walked in with a smile on their face, but it was the smile that they carried home that mattered the most to their families and us.  It was probably that smile that Persaphanie used to convince her older brother and her two cousins to attend our After School program this past Fall.

Now, remember if you have not met one of these Persaphanies lately in your own life, please take some time out of your busy day to come down to our Summer Academy in July and you will meet at least one by name and many others with that lively smile.  I hope that you will also catch a glimpse of students engaging their creative energies while making ice cream, solving problems with partners, designing artwork, dancing and singing, or walking back from the North End Farmer’s Market with sacks of fruits and vegetables.  Many years from now, Persaphanie may write her own blog entry about her own students greening Middletown in some way I cannot even imagine today.  I can only hope.

Submitted by Christopher Aceto, Youth Programs Education Supervisor

Summer Youth Programs

Summer Arts & Science Academy Registration
Register by June 15th
Students entering grades 1-6
July 5th to August 4th, 12:45pm to 3:00pm

Young Women’s Leadership Institute Registration
Register by June 15th
Students entering grades 5-7
July 5th to August 4th, 3:00pm to 5:15pm

Join the vibrant community of arts and science students at Green Street for our special 5-week summer programs. Students can sign up for one program or both! Summer Academy classes include Exciting Science Experiments, Music and Sound Exploration with African Drums, Movement and Motion, Community Science Field Trips, and the Science of Visual Art. The Young Women’s Leadership Institute is designed to explore creativity and present young women with the opportunities to meet and learn from local female scientists, artists, business leaders, and professionals.

Scholarships up to 90% off of tuition are available for families on free/reduced lunch. For more information call Sarah-Jane at 860-685-7860 or click here.

A Feast for the Senses: A Sensational Success

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Green Street’s Caribbean-themed A Feast for the Senses benefit auction held on Friday, April 8th was both sensational and successful.  Middletown community members, Wesleyan faculty, staff, and students, Green Street staff and volunteers, and many more filled the building on Friday night to bid on auction items and support students in Green Street’s Summer Arts and Science Academy and, the Young Women’s Leadership Institute.

Upon entering 51 Green Street, guests were met with the sweet sounds of steel pans from musical duo Mimosa. Melodies from Mento drifted from the second floor to accompany the anticipation in the tropically-colored rooms.  The event buzzed with excitement as attendees sampled Attendees browsing auction items.delicious hors d’houvres, perused the auction, and excitedly bid on their favorite items. While the online auction had already garnered $7,000 for Green Street’s Summer Youth Programs, guests still sought out spectacular items such as a Nintendo Wii with various games, wine baskets, Mets tickets, hand-crafted jewelry and scarves that handsomely adorned the tables.

During the program Managing Director Jessica Carso welcomed guests as they gathered in the Performance Studio to listen to heartfelt testimonials by 2011 Young Women’s Leadership Institute Coordinator Shamar Chin ‘13 and 2010 Summer Academy Science Teacher Julie Kastenbaum’09.  Many were especially touched when nine year-old student Kayla talked about “dealing with bad days” and just how Green Street has helped her “reach [her] full potential.” These inspiring speeches and the encouraging words of celebrity host and Master of Ceremonies Ray Hardman from WNPR made the “raise your paddle” portion of the event so successful: we raised $4,700 and ultimately surpassed our goal and raised a total of $43,000 to support the students enrolled in our Summer Youth Programs.

None of this would have been possible without our generous presenting sponsors Mary Beth and Stephen S. Daniel ’82. A special thank you to our additional supporters: Citizens Bank, IT Direct LLC., Shipman & Goodwin LLP, Done On the Run LLC, A.R. Mazzotta Employment Specialists, The Inn at Middletown, Middlesex Hospital, Centerbrook Architects and Planners, The Peach Pit Foundation, Terry Eastman, Barbara-Jan Wilson, Christine Pina, and Marlisa Simonson.

An especially heartfelt thank you to all who attended and made the event such a success: we would be nothing without our dedicated supporters!

 

If you weren’t able to join us, don’t worry, we are already planning our next big benefit event. Be sure to mark your calendars for the Tierney Sutton Jazz Band Performance, a benefit concert for our After School Arts & Science Program, on Friday, May 20, 2011.

‘Twas a Green Street Holiday

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Green Street has some fantastic gift ideas for the holidays, and what better way to share them with you than to the tune of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”  We hope this gives you some ideas and gets you into the holiday spirit.  After reading this, we hope you’ll check out our Facebook page to view pictures from our Omnidenominational Holiday Celebration on December 3rd and the Winter Solstice on December 10th.
Enjoy!

‘Twas the night before the Omnidenominational Holiday Celebration, when all through the Center

Every creature was stirring, even the presenters;

The lights were focused in the Performance Space,

In the hopes that Buru Style would soon take their place.Arsean Breakdancing

The children all practiced breakdance and ballet;

While teachers were putting artwork on display.

The staff was all ready for winter to start;

With classes like Tai Chi, Writing, and Acrylic Art.

When suddenly the phone rang with a loud bleat

A staffer picked it up, and said “Green Street!”

“Have you any classes for someone age two?

“Or something after school for kids to do?”Anna Skates, Receptionist

“My co-worker Lisa’s interested in art,”

“And Claudia would like her lesson to restart.”

“I’m happy to assist you,” the staffer replied;

Her voice clearly showing organizational pride.

“We’ve something for Lisa, and Claudia too.

And an After School Program you cannot outdo.Membership Cards

There’s Private Lessons in violin and guitar.

With a Gift Certificate, you can really go far.

Use them for classes, lessons, or events.

They will take care of your holiday presents.”

The caller was intrigued, she asked to hear more.

About the great gifts Green Street had in store.Buru Style at the Omnidenominational Holiday Celebration

“There are Memberships!  Class Cards!  Tickets galore!

Treat yourself to a night out, don’t be a bore.”

The customer then smiled to find she was done

With all the holiday shopping that she’d just begun.

The staffer was pleased to have served one and all

And Buru Style took their place in the hall.Ceramics Work by After School Students

The students performed their ballet and breakdance.

And the artwork received a second, or third, glance.

With a look through the Center, the staffer declared

“This is the best time of year!” and that opinion was shared.

Happy Holidays
From Green Street

Submitted by Rachel Roccoberton Griffin

Give the Gift of the Arts this Holiday Season. Whether for yourself, a friend, a loved one, or someone else that will enjoy the experience of active creativity, Green Street makes giving art easy.  Click here to view more information.  To purchase any of these great items call (860) 685-7871 or email gsac@wesleyan.edu.

After School Students Shine at Winter Solstice

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Camille and studentsMy name is Camille Martin and for the past few months I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing Green Street Arts Center’s After School Arts and Science Program.  I started at Green Street as an intern through Middlesex Community College.  I would come and work with the After School students as a support staff member, assisting several classrooms, participating in dance classes, and greeting students when they arrived.

After a month I became part of the staff working Monday through Friday taking care of attendance and dismissal, visiting class rooms, and tutoring kids during our Academic Enrichment hour.  I’ve watched the children flourish into mature, talented individuals thanks to the support of dedicated staff.

Breakdancing ArseanJust last week one of our students showed me her detailed watercolor painting, something she wouldn’t have been able to do four months ago.  The teaching artists and support staff have worked very hard over these months to empower the students to do their very best in the classroom and in life.  Each child has grown dramatically in character, as well as in talent, in their selected fields.  Helping kids develop skills in their young life that will carry them into their adult life has been such a rewarding experience.  From breakdancing to arts and science, our kids truly shine.  It has been an immense pleasure to be a part of the After School Arts and Science Program.

Submitted by Camille Martin, After School Support Staff

Come see all our students shine in our annual winter show.

After School Stars: Winter Solstice
Friday, December 10 | 6-8pm | Free

Students in BalletJoin us for our annual evening of performances, art exhibits, and multi-media presentations by the After School program. Enjoy performances by Breakdancing, Ballet, African Drumming, Songwriting, Storytelling, ThoroEnergy Hip Hop, and Videography classes, as well as exhibitions from Art and Science, Comic Book Drawing, and Creative Writing classes. Your support of local arts begins with our young artists—stop by and be amazed by the talent that surrounds you!

“It’s only half way through our After School Program year, but it is truly astonishing at how far our students have come and how much they have to share. Between the Cave Art and Dinosaur Sculpture exhibit from the Art and Science classes to the Beginning Breakdance Battle, our Winter Solstice event is a don’t-miss-opportunity for family, friends and neighbors to come and support Middletown’s youngest most creative minds.”— Sarah-Jane Ripa, Artistic and Education Coordinator

From Cosby to Hawai’i and Back

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Wesleyan University’s Green Street Arts Center’s Homecoming/Family Weekend events were an enormous success. The building was bustling with community members and Wesleyan families, thank you to all who participated during this weekend of wonderful events.

On Friday, the entire neighborhood hummed with excitement, as jazz wafted from Green Street’s entry way out into the cool, Fall night. The space at 51 Green St. was transformed to a warm and inviting autumn oasis of rich browns and crisp oranges for a night with the one and only Dr. Bill Cosby. With the arrival of Dr. Cosby, a line quickly formed of people waiting to meet, shake hands, and take pictures with the famous comedian, actor, author, and educator. Guests were treated to delicious food, marvelous entertainment, and fine art as they enjoyed the event. After the reception, guests were treated to Dr. Cosby’s on-campus performance at the Center for the Arts.

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Saturday afternoon, Green Street hosted an Open House and welcomed over 125 attendees. Popular Wesleyan band Buru Style filled the Performance Studio with fun and entertainment, while Jocelyn Pleasant and Lovette Caesar-Johnson lead guests in the sounds and rhythms of West African drumming and dance in the Dance Studio. Later on, Green Street’s resident salsero, Jason Pepin, introduced people to the sultry sounds of salsa dance and music. The community drum circle was also a popular choice for all ages as was the visual arts projects. This event was featured in an article in The Middletown Press.

Our Sunday Salon Series continued with Professor J. Kehaulani Kauanui’s “Hawaiian Nationhood & Indigenous Rights”.  With 30 attendees, this intriguing event offered insight into the outstanding Hawaiian independence claim and persistent issue of sovereignty facing the Kanaka Maoli (indigenous Hawaiian) people. Said one participant, “This was a fascinating topic and a dynamic presentation. Kehaulani truly engaged the audience in an intellectual and passionate conversation void of pretension. I was riveted the entire time.”

Dine & Donate, Green Street’s delicious weekend-long fundraiser, provided Homecoming/Family Weekend attendees with a great excuse to sample many different Middletown restaurants. In a true show of community partnership, seven local restaurants (Esca, Fiore, Mikado, New England Emporium, Puerto Vallarta, Thai Gardens, and Typhoon) generously agreed to donate a portion of their weekend proceeds to Green Street Arts Center.

If you weren’t able to join us this weekend, don’t worry, we are already planning our next big benefit event. Be sure to mark your calendars for “A Feast for the Senses”, our second annual auction benefit, on Thursday, February 17.

Submitted by Lisa Bruno, Development Assistant

Future Animators Shaped At Green Street

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“Working at Green Street, in the After School program, has given me the chance to show our students how current technology can be a creative tool that they can use to express themselves.  I try to help them see how relatively easy it is for them to create sophisticated content, and put it out into the community and further into the world. In some sense, I want to convert them from passive consumers of online content into creative producers.” -Shawn Hill

For the past few years I’ve been teaching Digital Video Animation to Green Street’s After School students and helping them create animated shorts (cartoons).  Students draw images on the computer and then move those images to a new location on the screen.  The computer then infills the motion necessary to move from the initial location to the new one, and creates the sense of motion over time.Student Animator

Animating in this way gives the students immediate feedback on their drawings and brings them to life through motion.  Each student is typically able to create a short animated section of about 3-6 seconds in length during an hour-long class.  And, while spending an hour to create 5 seconds of a cartoon may sound like a lot of time, when you consider that 5 seconds represents 120 frames, you can imagine how much time it would have taken even the most talented classic Disney animators to draw 120 subtly different drawings in order to add up to 5 seconds of final film!

Each semester our class settles on a theme – over the years we’ve done global warming, exercising, Middletown, and science.  In each class I introduce and demonstrate a new skill or technique in Anime Studio.  The students then go off to their own computer to draw, and then animate some part of the semester’s theme, using the new skill/technique.

Each week the students create their clips independently, and the beginning of the following class is often a great chance for them to see the creativity and skill of their peers By mid-semester we begin to assemble the best clips into a class video.  We work on titles and credits, and typically end-up with a final class video of about 6 minutes in length.  Students in Green Street’s Sound Recording class then create soundtracks that we add to the final cartoon.

Submitted by Shawn Hill, Wesleyan Staff & Green Street teaching artist

Here is a video students made called “Go Out and Play”.  Click here to see more videos and get a sense of the great work our After School students have created.

A little bit about After School:
Green Street’s After School Arts and Science Program offers outstanding classes with published writers, professional dancers and visual artists that represent the diversity of our community and the breadth of our experience.  Classes are offered for grades 1-9, Monday through Thursday and grades K-5 on Fridays.  Students can take classes in digital animation, African drumming, comic book creation, breakdance, sound recording and more.  Our After School Program begins on September 13, 2010.

Registration closes at noon on September 8th, or once the program has reached maximum enrollment, so don’t wait!  In order to enroll in the program, you and your child must register with us in person to sign our Parent Handbook, complete financial aid paperwork, and/or make payments. Please call ahead – (860) 685-7871 – to schedule an appointment; drop-ins will only be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.  Registration appointments are currently being scheduled at the following times:

Monday, August 30th and Tuesday August 31st – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Wednesday, September 1st and Friday, September 3rd – 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Thursday, September 2nd and Tuesday, September 7th – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Green Street’s New Mural Brings The Community Together

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“It’s fun.  It’s different.  We’re starting with nothing and making something beautiful.” – Gary Cain, volunteer

Green Street is surrounded by revitalization this summer.  More than 5 neighboring houses are being remodeled, gardens are being planted, and across the street at St. Vincent DePaul Place, the community is coming together to bring color and meaning to the North End.

In 2009, Green Street partnered with Citizen’s Bank to put a mural on the corner of Green and Main Street.  With this success, Green Street and mural artist Marela Zacarias were eager to continue beautifying the community.  When Ron Krum of St. Vincent DePaul Place expressed interest in the project, funding was secured from Lego’s Children Fund and the design process began.

In preparation for the project, Marela held four educational workshops for Green Street students in which she discussed the importance of murals.  Ron then gave the kids the background of St. Vincent DePaul Place and its impact on the community.  It was obvious that the students had been inspired; at the next mural meeting, there were dozens of design ideas.  The final mural design is a culmination of Green Street student drawings, St. Vincent DePaul Place’s vision, and Marela’s artistic guidance.

It’s not just the familiar images of North End landmarks that make this mural a community collaboration; St. Vincent de Paul volunteers Gary, Bill, and John have been working tirelessly alongside Marela throughout the painting process.  These three men, all with their own story, have come together to give something back to the community and, in doing so, have formed friendships.  This dedication has inspired Marela to include their faces in the mural to give the community a stronger sense of ownership.

Marela sees the Community Mural Project as an act of kindness, something to show community support.  “That corner is the corner where hardship lives,” she says, “and the fact that we’re making that corner, specifically, beautiful and colorful and full of hope, is bringing healing to the community.”

If you are interested in supporting and helping our community revitalization efforts please contact us at (860) 685-7871 or gsac@wesleyan.edu

Submitted by Lisa Bruno, Development Assistant

Green Street’s 6th Annual Arts Fest: from Popcorn to “Pickles”

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Popcorn Arts Fest '10On Saturday, June 12th, the Green Street Arts Center was filled with excitement.  The 6th Annual Arts Festival took place and, despite the rain, was a great success.  With performances like “Pickles” from the Songwriting class and the debut of “Middletown: Our Town”, an animated video created by the Digital Animation class, the entertainment was energetic, captivating, and certainly inspiring.

Even before entering the building, the festival’s energy was already evident.  Teaching artist Anna had a line of eager kids waiting to get their faces painted, the neighborhood ice cream truck was popular as ever, and Frank was busily handing out free popcorn.  Upon entering Green Street, you could already smell delicious food provided by our partners at Esca Restaurant & Wine Bar, Iguanas Ranas Taqueria, and Firehouse Steakhouse.  Jerry’s Pizza had a table with free pizza that was always surrounded by hungry Arts Fest attendees.  Broad Street Books brought a great assortment of arts supplies and books, and DeFabrica Therapeutic Massage was very popular, constantly providing people with refreshing massages.

Arts Fest Drumming '10
Drumming at Arts Fest '10

After satisfying their hunger, guests could choose from a variety of amusements.  The African Drumming classes were set up in the Multipurpose Room, providing hours of rhythmic entertainment.  Adults and kids alike were invited to do arts and crafts in both the Wet and Dry Arts Rooms.  Meanwhile, across the hall in the Performance Studio there was constant action, with breakdancing, musical performances, salsa dancing, animated videos, hip-hop, and more, continuously provided enjoyment for an exuberant audience.

Students in the Breakdancing class staged a breakdance battle to showcase their unbelievable moves.  Young musicians displayed their talents in solo performances, as well as collectively in the Songwriting class’s amusing song “Pickles”.  The salsa class inspired the audience to move and grove to Latin beats, and the Digital Animation class highlighted their skills with a video called “Middletown: Our Town”.  ThoroEnergy also wowed the audience with a dramatic and engaging hip-hop performance.

Breakdancer
Breakdancing Battle

When Arts Fest ended, attendees left with smiles on their faces, students left with a sense of pride in their accomplishments, and the staff were pleased with the success of the event and happy to have made new friends.

For more great pictures of the event, check out our Facebook page here.

If you are interested in learning more about how your child can get involved in one of these (or other) great classes, call us at (860) 685-7871 or email gsac@wesleyan.edu. For more information on upcoming events and classes, visit our website at www.greenstreetartscenter.org.

Submitted by Lisa Bruno, Development Assistant

Arts Fest: Thoroughly Obsessed

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Arts Fest postcardGreen Street’s Annual Arts Festival is something I, and all of Green Street’s friends, look forward to each year.  This year’s Arts Fest will take place on Saturday, June 12 and is sure to be an afternoon filled with creativity, excitement, food, and fun.  ArtsFest is a great way for our students to showcase their hard work and successes throughout the year, and for the community to join us and participate in the fun as well.

This year features performances from Fresh Obsessed

Salsa Dancers
Salsa Dancers Arts Fest '09

breakdancing crew, ThoroEnergy hip hop crew, salsa students, and music classes.  I am especially excited for the West African Djembe Orchestra- a diverse group of people ages 7 to 57 from the After School program, adult class, and Cromwell Children’s Home residency program who will be performing together.  With the strong lead of teachers Jocelyn and Aaron, the group will rock out the beats of Lamban, Makru, and Yankadi.

For the first time, our outside attractions will include delicious food from partners in our membership program.  We are pleased to welcome Esca Restaurant & Wine Bar, Iguanas Ranas Taqueria, Jerry’s Pizza, Broad Street Books, and DeFabrica Therapeutic Massage to the festivities.

Painting Green Street
Facepainting Arts Fest '09

While enjoying live performances and great food, you will also be able to meander through the building to view the artwork, stop by a classroom for a free mini-class in Salsa or visual arts.  You can enter a raffle to win a free Green Street class or even plants from Starlight Gardens in Durham.  Don’t miss out on a chance to sign up for Summer classes right on the spot.

In addition to this scintillating array of amusements, mural artist Marela Zacarias will begin painting the new mural, designed by Green Street students, across the street at St. Vincent dePaul’s Place. All community members are welcome and encouraged to help out.

By the way, have I mentioned that all of this is free?  It is!  I hope to see you there!

Green Street Arts Festival & Open House
Saturday, June 12, 2010
1-3pm
FREE
51 Green Street, Middletown, CT 06457
www.greenstreetartscenter.org

Submitted by Rachel Roccoberton Griffin, Administrative Assistant

Volunteering at Green Street as a Vocation

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Jean & Biff offer snacks.

It wasn’t meant to be that way.

In 2005, Jean started volunteering at the after school program. At first thejob entailed helping with the snacks that are given to the children when they arrive, followed by assisting with the homework assignments. The hardest part was adjusting to the confusion, as 40-50 lively students hopped off the bus and were eager to begin another afternoon program at Green Street.  Anything beyond fourth grade mathematics was a challenge as they don’t teach it the way the Shaws were taught. After the dust settled (thanks to Cookie’s handling of the initial chaos… a distinctive and ever-present voice) things went more smoothly. The most rewarding part of this venture was making new friends and watching as the students grew and began to work together. Just a “please” or “thank you” was a big reward.

Reaching for "the regular."

It was in the fall of 2006 that Biff started to hang out with Jean … just to see what it was all about.  Little did he expect that a casual drop-by would become a regular part of the weekly calendar. Helping with snack was easy and sometimes fun.  Mentoring was hard and many times just plain boggling. Reading for comprehension was a challenge and adding and subtracting using one’s fingers or checkmarks on a page is a long way from rote learning done 70 years ago.

We persevered and the kids, while baffled by our inability to understand their way of learning, were really very patient with us – sometimes more patient than we were with them or with our own frustration.

It wasn’t until 2009, when a dedicated corps of Wesleyan students and others took charge of mentoring, did we hit our stride.  Since then we have concentrated on food “service” and service it has become. Special orders are the call of the day. The old “some like it hot – some like it cold” has become our signature. We have learned who likes only peanut butter on peanut butter and jelly days, and who prefers a turkey and cheese without cheese.  The students obviously appreciate it.  They show it in many ways and if we have gained nothing more than their respect and a semblance of good manners … we feel we have achieved our goals.

As a result, it really didn’t end up so much a vocation, as a labor of love.

Submitted by Jean and Biff Shaw, After School Volunteers

Even as we begin to wrap up the After School year, Green Street still relies heavily on its volunteers!  There are a number of After School and non-After School volunteering opportunities available.  If you are interested in getting involved, or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to email us at gsac@wesleyan.edu or call us at (860) 685-7871.  We hope to hear from you soon!