Middle school students head to Art Tank for class series
Youth will study two artists' work, use inspiration to create their own
For the next four Saturdays, twelve students from Asbury Park Middle School will learn about the life and inspirations of two contemporary fine artists during a four-week class series at the Collective Art Tank, according to release from their public relations firm, M Studio.
Led by professional artists John Viggiano and Marta Kepka, the class series will delve into the life and work of acclaimed artists Vik Muniz and Kehindle Wiley. Both artists’ work is rooted in social commentary. Muniz earned international acclaim for recreating famous imagery from art history and pop culture with unexpected, everyday objects. Two classes in January will focus on the work of Muniz, with students creating a collaged portrait, scape or event description of their choosing made out of found, collected or acquired materials, the release stated.
Wiley is a painter who is known for his portraits of African American men that combine modern culture with the work of the old masters. The two February classes will focus on the context of Wiley’s work in relation to contemporary social and cultural concerns, as well as historical references and symbolism in his paintings. The students will choose from a selection of French Rococo or Baroque stencils and use them to create a repeated pattern background for their paintings, according to the release.
“Making art accessible is a cornerstone of The Collective Art Tank’s mission in Asbury Park,” John Viggiano, founder of the Collective Art Tank said in the release. “Engaging local youth in the study of contemporary art and igniting their creative passion is a benefit to us all. Marta and I are excited to work with this select group of students and look forward to many more partnerships with ArtsCAP.”
Sponsored by ArtsCAP, the program aims to expose Asbury Park youth to the various creative outlets available to them in the city’s downtown. With an already successful series of children’s classes on their roster, the Collective Art Tank’s collaboration with ArtsCAP will focus on an elevated fine art experience aimed at inspiring adolescent artists and cultivating opportunities for their creative growth and development, according to the release.
“ArtsCAP is committed to promoting the arts as a positive force for growth in Asbury Park,” Ginny Otley, ArtsCAP president said in the release. “This includes outreach with community youth to identify and encourage opportunities for art education and creative development. Inspiring our next generation of art advocates is integral to Asbury Park’s development as well as our city’s role in the Monmouth Arts Corridor.”
A gallery opening showcasing the students’ work over the four-week series will be held on Feb. 8, immediately following the final class.
The Collective Art Tank is the collaboration of John Viggiano, an Asbury Park-based artist and graphic designer, and industry leaders in fine arts materials Liquitex, Conté á Paris, and Winsor & Newton. The education-based collective aims to support artists in Asbury Park and surrounding areas with technique-based demos, workshops and classes, samples of art materials, and exhibition opportunities. The Collective Art Tank is also committed to community outreach by working with and supporting local arts groups in an effort to make Asbury Park and Monmouth County an art destination in the tri-state area. For more information, visit www.CollectiveArtTank.com.
ArtsCAP was founded in 2005 by a group of artists and citizens as an outgrowth of countywide focus groups initiated by the Monmouth County Arts Council. This also led to the creation of the Asbury Park Cultural Arts Plan, which was accepted by the City Council in 2006. Since then, ArtsCAP has been involved in a number of arts initiatives which include a partnership with Interfaith Neighbors and Asbury Park High School which created, funded and nurtured a new after school theater program that is now self-sustaining. For additional information about ArtsCAP programs, visit www.ArtsCAP.org
The Collective Art Tank is located at 529 Bangs Ave.
[Photo at top is from a previous art class held at the Art Tank.]
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