Our plan
We had just taught a screen printing class to a group of kids through the University of Wisconsin. It was well-received, and we enjoyed working with youth. Despite the fact that screen printed posters were becoming very popular around town, we noticed that there were not any posters for the shows at our local teen center, even though they were hosting national acts. The teen center had an empty room off of the kitchen that was no longer being used. It would be suitable for a little studio, so we approached the center and asked if we could set up a screen printing studio so that students could print posters for the bands they were coming to see.
What we did
We spoke with fellow designers, teachers and teen center staff and together we wrote a grant to the Madison Arts Commission. The commission gives grants to artists that are willing to partner with community groups. We were very happy to learn that we received a small grant that would buy enough supplies for a couple of poster runs. We sold some of the posters at concerts and gallery shows. Sales funded more posters and eventually we branched out into t-shirts, too. Our main goal was not to just make posters for the shows, but to introduce high school students to the art of graphic design and the process of silk screening posters. The class continues today, six years later.
Our results
The students attending our class learned how art could be used as a means of expressing themselves and being a part of a show that normally they would have just bought a ticket to see. The community center benefited from the free promotional material being produced. Probably most effected were the designers acting as mentors for the kids. It was good to be giving back, but the greater benefit came from seeing the perspectives that the non-jaded kids had towards art. Through the years many of our students have gone on to art school or careers in art. Even those who have gone into other occupations or fields of study now have an appreciation of what it takes to produce original art.
Cheers Lee
It's one of the most fantastic educational experiments. I'd like to join you and share my ideas contantly.
charlie
nothing for adults ? would like to learn screen printing can't find any classes for adults, any help you could give would be appreciated thanks, chas