Graphic design students at World Journalism Preparatory School have been working on murals and benches that express their feelings on modern issues that are currently affecting youth all around the globe. Such issues include, but are not limited to; bullying, cyber abuse, child abuse, school shootings and gun laws, racism, LGBTQ rights, and equality for all.
World Journalism Preparatory School worked with the Learning Through Expanded Arts Program or simply LEAP, to give seventh and tenth grade students this educational opportunity.
The murals and benches were on display for the public on Wednesday, March 29th, 2019 in Union Square Park located in Manhattan. The artwork will soon be transferred to the participating schools local areas. WJPS’ artwork will be on display in Auburndale Park in Flushing, Queens and on WJPS campus in the near future.
Ms. Meneses, graphic design teacher at WJPS oversaw the project and the students who contributed.
“This was a great experience all around and I had a lot of fun helping students and seeing what they were able to come up with. It’s always so rewarding watching them apply the artistic concepts we learn in class into something as powerful as social justice and other related themes that many of the students felt strongly about,” she said.
Ms. Surmanek, a teaching artist with the LEAP program also oversaw the project, and led class discussions with graphic design students on issues that resonated among each individual classes.
She also aided students with unlocking their artistic abilities and incorporating them into the thematic artwork created in class. Surmanek states that “although each class had many different themes, the biggest ones I noticed were child abuse, online harassment, gun violence, gay rights, and immigration.”
Students from across New York City attended the unveiling of their artwork at Union Square Park. Zachery Hernandez, middle school student at Intermediate School 77 in Ridgewood, Queens was among the many artists who attended the event to admire their work.
“Seeing my work in the middle of Manhattan for everyone to see feels really amazing. It’s awesome how bypassers look at our work and take our work as an example of the themes and issues that stick out to children and young people today. If I had the choice to participate in this program again I would. I love the faces of people walking past my classes work and them telling me that they love it,” he said.
Overall, the partnership between New York City Public Schools and the Learning Through Expanded Arts Program has been welcomed by dozens of students and many anticipate a continuation of the program next school year.
“This is an experience that I truly will never forget. I’m so happy that society is taking steps to allow young people to express themselves freely through the arts and give us the chance to have our voices heard. I really hope LEAP comes back to WJPS next year,” said WJPS sophomore David Montanez.
