Sunday, April 03, 2011
Peace Drum Project News - Spring 2011
Peace Drum at AAMARP
Paintings line the hallway, and sculptures sit on pedestals around the gallery. As the teens drift in to their afternoon activities, they are surround by art and artists. This year the Peace Drum Project resides at AAMARP Studios in Jamaica Plain. AAMARP - The African American Master Artists in Residence Program of Northeastern University - is located on Atherton Street. The outside does not hint at all the creative work and mastery that's inside, but the teens in the project are truly privileged to be part of this creative environment. Last year, the teens interviewed three of the AAMARP artists about their lives; and, other AAMARP artists have worked with the teens in recent years, so there are many familiar faces around.
The teens enjoy the "clubhouse" feel of the space, and are most appreciative of the inspiration around every corner. Our space is twice as large as any we've had in past years, and it is easily converted to accommodate both performing and visual arts activities.
Throughout this year, the teens will be visiting artist's studios and having workshops with some of the artists onsite. Also, as they embark on several exciting visual arts projects (see Activities), the teens will benefit from both the expertise and experience of CAI artists like Susan, Curtis, and Wyoma, and the abundant advice and inspiration from the very talented and experienced artists at AAMARP.
Peace Drum News
Teens Meet Elders
In February, the teens met the elders we will be working with this year. Most of them live at the Amory Street Apartments in Roxbury. They all started getting to know each other by adding new photos and information to our 2011 Peace Drum Scrapbook, and by starting to share stories from their lives.
Working together, they learn from each other and gain understanding about how many common threads run through their lives and experiences.Over the next several months, they will continue to meet to conduct interviews, share stories, and create drums together. This exchange offers such an enormous benefit to both the teens and the elders!
There is such delight on the faces of the elders as the teens arrive to meet them, and the teens learn from the elders that even the most difficult struggles can be overcome - and that happiness is possible. We're all looking forward to our next session coming up next week and to new discoveries to be made about the past, present, and future life of our community.
Explorations In The Arts
In addition to working on their journals and making their drums, the teens hve been engaged this year in Dance workshops with Wyoma, a CAI Program Developer and well known African dance performer and teacher. Danielle Moran a graduate intern from Simmons College engaged the teens in Improv and theater workshops to help them develop confidence and an improved awareness of the physical world. Curtis Jones, CAI lead percussion artist, will continue his drumming workshops with the teens throughout the year.
The teens recently took part in the annual Art Journal Challenge - the only competitive activity we do each year in the project. They must complete a one-age collage work in one hour that expresses something important or personal about themselves. Although there were three winners, all of the collages were very expressive and personal this year, and the panel of judges had a very hard time coming to a final decision.
Creative Partnerships
This year, the Peace Drum partnership with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum will help the teens develop 'pop ups' that reflect the museum's collection, and in particular, the courtyard. Susan (Porter) will be working with the teens to design and execute their creations. The final works will be on exhibit at AAMARP after the Community Creations Opening in June. The teens took part in a basic pop-ups workshop in February, and their creations were fun and experimental.
Another exciting partnership this year involves the Institute for Urban Health Research at Northeastern University. The IUHR is sponsoring a challenge for the teens to create new works on canvas that express My Hopes and Dreams. The Institute is supplying material support and will host a reception for the exhibition of the paintings at Northeastern in May. Prizes will be given, and the teens will be given the opportunity to have their works on permanent exhibit at IUHR offices
What Is the Peace Drum Project?
This project is Cooperative Artists Institute's after-school teen leadership initiative that combines performing and visual arts in a fun, exciting process that helps teens become a greater asset to their own community. Boston teens learn important life and leadership skills like critical-thinking and problem-solving,communication, listening, creativity, empathy and understanding.
This 30-week project brings teens together with elders in the community to help them recall and record their life stories. After interviewing the elders, the teens make a personalized Peace Drum for each elder reflecting their life story. This sharing of stories builds common ground and connects the two generations with each other in a positive and lasting way. The blending of the Arts with the community service helps the teens develop maturity and build supportive, positive peer relationships.
For more information check out
http://tribal-rhythms.org/drum_exhibit.html
"I do this because it's fun and it keeps me out of trouble. I've made great new friends here too." Joseph Ruiz, Teen participant
End of Year Celebration!
Please join us for our end-of-year
Celebration & Awards Ceremony
See our drums. Hear our stories.
Meet the participants and help us celebrate
their accomplishments on
Friday, June 3
5:00-7:00 PM
at AAMARP Studios,
76 Atherton Street in Jamaica Plain.
For more information or to volunteer to help, contact
Susan Porter at 617-524-6378.
Special Thanks
Very special thanks to: The Janey Fund, Boston Cultural Council, Alice Willard Dorr Foundation, and to the many individual contributors who made the project possible this year
Your contribution to support The Peace Drum Project will ensure that we can continue to provide this one-of-a-kind experience to help at-risk youth transform their lives through the arts and their connection with elders in the community.
Donate Now!
Related Links
What is the Peace Drum Project?
Over 80 Elder Stories on CAI's website
Intergenerational Connections Through the Arts
Peace Drum Project Bridges Generations
Cooperative Artists Institute (CAI)
Cooperative Artists Institute
The Peace Drum Project is an initiative of the Cooperative Artists Institute
which has a 40-year track record of using the arts to create positive change in Boston. In 2009, over 15,000 children and adults took part in CAI's community-building multicultural art programs, and many others visited our website.
For more information, or to make a donation, call Susan Porter at
(617) 524-6378 or mail to: 311 Forest Hills St, Jamaica Plain MA 02130-3605.
Paintings line the hallway, and sculptures sit on pedestals around the gallery. As the teens drift in to their afternoon activities, they are surround by art and artists. This year the Peace Drum Project resides at AAMARP Studios in Jamaica Plain. AAMARP - The African American Master Artists in Residence Program of Northeastern University - is located on Atherton Street. The outside does not hint at all the creative work and mastery that's inside, but the teens in the project are truly privileged to be part of this creative environment. Last year, the teens interviewed three of the AAMARP artists about their lives; and, other AAMARP artists have worked with the teens in recent years, so there are many familiar faces around.
The teens enjoy the "clubhouse" feel of the space, and are most appreciative of the inspiration around every corner. Our space is twice as large as any we've had in past years, and it is easily converted to accommodate both performing and visual arts activities.
Throughout this year, the teens will be visiting artist's studios and having workshops with some of the artists onsite. Also, as they embark on several exciting visual arts projects (see Activities), the teens will benefit from both the expertise and experience of CAI artists like Susan, Curtis, and Wyoma, and the abundant advice and inspiration from the very talented and experienced artists at AAMARP.
Peace Drum News
Teens Meet Elders
In February, the teens met the elders we will be working with this year. Most of them live at the Amory Street Apartments in Roxbury. They all started getting to know each other by adding new photos and information to our 2011 Peace Drum Scrapbook, and by starting to share stories from their lives.
Working together, they learn from each other and gain understanding about how many common threads run through their lives and experiences.Over the next several months, they will continue to meet to conduct interviews, share stories, and create drums together. This exchange offers such an enormous benefit to both the teens and the elders!
There is such delight on the faces of the elders as the teens arrive to meet them, and the teens learn from the elders that even the most difficult struggles can be overcome - and that happiness is possible. We're all looking forward to our next session coming up next week and to new discoveries to be made about the past, present, and future life of our community.
Explorations In The Arts
In addition to working on their journals and making their drums, the teens hve been engaged this year in Dance workshops with Wyoma, a CAI Program Developer and well known African dance performer and teacher. Danielle Moran a graduate intern from Simmons College engaged the teens in Improv and theater workshops to help them develop confidence and an improved awareness of the physical world. Curtis Jones, CAI lead percussion artist, will continue his drumming workshops with the teens throughout the year.
The teens recently took part in the annual Art Journal Challenge - the only competitive activity we do each year in the project. They must complete a one-age collage work in one hour that expresses something important or personal about themselves. Although there were three winners, all of the collages were very expressive and personal this year, and the panel of judges had a very hard time coming to a final decision.
Creative Partnerships
This year, the Peace Drum partnership with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum will help the teens develop 'pop ups' that reflect the museum's collection, and in particular, the courtyard. Susan (Porter) will be working with the teens to design and execute their creations. The final works will be on exhibit at AAMARP after the Community Creations Opening in June. The teens took part in a basic pop-ups workshop in February, and their creations were fun and experimental.
Another exciting partnership this year involves the Institute for Urban Health Research at Northeastern University. The IUHR is sponsoring a challenge for the teens to create new works on canvas that express My Hopes and Dreams. The Institute is supplying material support and will host a reception for the exhibition of the paintings at Northeastern in May. Prizes will be given, and the teens will be given the opportunity to have their works on permanent exhibit at IUHR offices
This project is Cooperative Artists Institute's after-school teen leadership initiative that combines performing and visual arts in a fun, exciting process that helps teens become a greater asset to their own community. Boston teens learn important life and leadership skills like critical-thinking and problem-solving,communication, listening, creativity, empathy and understanding.
This 30-week project brings teens together with elders in the community to help them recall and record their life stories. After interviewing the elders, the teens make a personalized Peace Drum for each elder reflecting their life story. This sharing of stories builds common ground and connects the two generations with each other in a positive and lasting way. The blending of the Arts with the community service helps the teens develop maturity and build supportive, positive peer relationships.
For more information check out
http://tribal-rhythms.org/drum_exhibit.html
"I do this because it's fun and it keeps me out of trouble. I've made great new friends here too." Joseph Ruiz, Teen participant
End of Year Celebration!
Please join us for our end-of-year
Celebration & Awards Ceremony
See our drums. Hear our stories.
Meet the participants and help us celebrate
their accomplishments on
Friday, June 3
5:00-7:00 PM
at AAMARP Studios,
76 Atherton Street in Jamaica Plain.
For more information or to volunteer to help, contact
Susan Porter at 617-524-6378.
Special Thanks
Very special thanks to: The Janey Fund, Boston Cultural Council, Alice Willard Dorr Foundation, and to the many individual contributors who made the project possible this year
Your contribution to support The Peace Drum Project will ensure that we can continue to provide this one-of-a-kind experience to help at-risk youth transform their lives through the arts and their connection with elders in the community.
Donate Now!
Related Links
What is the Peace Drum Project?
Over 80 Elder Stories on CAI's website
Intergenerational Connections Through the Arts
Peace Drum Project Bridges Generations
Cooperative Artists Institute (CAI)
Cooperative Artists Institute
The Peace Drum Project is an initiative of the Cooperative Artists Institute
which has a 40-year track record of using the arts to create positive change in Boston. In 2009, over 15,000 children and adults took part in CAI's community-building multicultural art programs, and many others visited our website.
For more information, or to make a donation, call Susan Porter at
(617) 524-6378 or mail to: 311 Forest Hills St, Jamaica Plain MA 02130-3605.
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