LITERACY THROUGH THE ARTS

By mixing paint and catalysts I recreate the push-pull forces
found in nature that shape and mold all things,
to create satellite views of this planet and places
scattered throughout the universe.

These are abstracts waiting to be called realistic, when technology "catches up".

STRUCTURED AND TAUGHT BY:
Ken Cro-Ken, environmental artist, composer
and Matt Sullivan, oboe, composer

LITERACY THROUGH THE ARTS

When able to, I have always enjoyed teaching children and transferring the passion of the arts to them. From Kindergarten to College, inner city to suburban, hearing and deaf, physically and/or emotionally challenged youth... The arts bring a balance and fill a void like nothing else. Students may think that the arts are the main focus for what they are doing but the reality is,
every creative project begins and ends with writing. Participants become engaged in what interests them and learn to appreciate the importance of the Language Arts as they apply reading, writing, speaking... to all they create.

So, long before the phrase "literacy through the arts" was uttered by others,
we had already integrated the arts and own the .com for it.

After the events of 9/11/01, two high school, located a few buildings south of the former World Trade Center moved up town while their schools and the area were being cleaned. I was honored to take all my knowledge, talent and experience and lay down the foundation for a multi-media experience for these students after school. They were able to take what they learned during the day and finally have a place to put their own knowledge and talents into use. As the Creative Arts Coordinator I work practically around the clock, donating half my time, in preparation for their return downtown and next door to the American Stock Exchange.

This program was created with "future focus" in mind to help these students most directly affected by the events of 9/11, to think of their future and the knowledge and talent out there that make life a joy to look forward to. Finally, students had a place where they could take what they learned and create in a free environment with professional help in getting them started in creating their own groups. They created projects that they could put on their resumes. One project was "THE GALLERY EXPERIENCE". They learned every aspect of: creating a theme, the art for such a theme, promotion, Opening preparation and hang the show. In essence, they learned every aspect of the gallery experience.

Other projects created were: The Desi Group for Pakistani, Indian and Bangladesh students to present their classical and contemporary culture in a performance at the end of each semester. The Video Makers Club, Fashion, The Latin Club, J.P. Morgan Internships, The Investment Club... and so much more... student based and student driven! A culminating experience gave these studens focus, a goal and a deadline!

Professional artists and musicians serve as living examples;
and participants realize that anyone who develops an idea
has a chance to become anyone they want to be.

EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER!!!

One strength in the arts will lead someone through their weaknesses. In turn, this strengthens the educational
and emotional development of these young people.

First, students create a visual composition that serves as a visual catalyst for students to consider the sounds that they will create for the video. This footage can be filmed by them or drawn upon by Ken Cro-Ken's video archive. Along with the sounds students will create, they will also choose from a variety of musical phrases created by Matt Sullivan on oboe and english horn. There will also be musical phrases created by other well accomplished musician.

This project is integrated with the administrative staff and teachers to recognize and celebrate the talents of that community. Everyone can also learn an empowering lesson about potential and opportunity when talent is used to create funds. A performance can also be a fund-raiser so that students can also learn about marketing and how to successfully bring the “art world” and the “real world” together.

All ideas are reinforced and expanded upon in the classroom. Students learn to cooperate with others while learning to become more self-expressive and self-empowered. Since we believe that the basic definition of an artist is “anyone who develops an idea”, students can take what they learn and apply it to anything that they are interested in with a greater chance to believe and succeed within it. Sociology says that the greater control one feels in life, the less frustration they can potentially feel. Let us be a part of your organization’s mission to enrich the lives of our young people.

Learning and sharing what I've learned is a very key element to my life.

WWW.LITERACYTHROUGHTHEARTS.COM

If there is time to create a short or long term project, that may or may not include creating a performance and/or video, let's tailor a project that develops the arts and literacy while transferring the greatest gift of all- PASSION!!!

Together, we can pool talents and surprise everyone involved.