Pictures from the Theater Reunion Show! Courtesy of Mr. Esposito

Creative Writing "Phresh Content 2017" Performance Photos

It Really Was a Night to Remember
Review of Strings Concert by Alexandria Muniz
     Last night was amazing--I was able to come and support my friends, Khady and Audrey, at their “A Night to Remember” strings concert. I got to the theater early, making sure to sit in the perfect seat in row three, so I could record the performance.
     One of my favorite songs that they played was Downton Abbey. As I watched everyone play so swiftly with soft strokes against their strings, I couldn't help but sway my head along with the melodies. At times, Khady’s face was plastered with complete concentration, as she focused on each note and struck the strings in sync with others around her. Even from afar, I could see her eyes wander around her sheet music--the music she became.
     I was so proud of everyone who played and took part in last night's event; it takes talent, practice, and skill to play with the passion our musicians do. I am honored to attend an arts school with other students who take pride in their art--it's truly beautiful.

Photos from 'Urinetown'

All photos by Mr. Esposito

Smart People (Review)
By Ashaliegh Carrington
     The play that I witnessed at Long Wharf Theater last Saturday was a magnificent display of real life and art working hand in hand. It depicts common interactions while blending in humor. The cast diversity in itself shows how the story’s events could happen anywhere in America. That’s what really sells the tale of Smart People, the idea that  it can happen anywhere. There was not one character that didn't have inner conflict, some with what they were trying to prove and others with past judgments from peers. The play doesn’t need a big shocking conclusion that often hits the stage nowadays. Instead, what the ending reveals is what we already know, that secrets that we try to hide often come out. So, if you were thinking of seeing this production, please do. It’s treatment of a modern issue is one for all of us to see in this time of conflicting morals.

Photos from "Ruined"

Congratulations to Mr. McAfee and the actors, tech crew, and all who contributed to such a powerful school play

Photos by Mr. Esposito

Photos from Parking Day!

Photos by Ashaliegh Carrington

Interview with artist William Villalongo
By Alumni Kayla Salters
 
Ever since I became an apprentice for the Jerome Project at ArtSpace, I began to have a deeper respect for the art world, and all of the hard work artists put into their pieces. If I hadn’t joined ArtSpace’s summer program, I would have never made any connections and long-lasting friendships with various artists, facilitators, and curators.
 
During the year after my apprenticeship, I visited the Yale University Art Gallery (YUAG), performed in the Arresting Patterns Conference for the YUAG, and attended the Game Recognize Game Conference at the YUAG.
 
During the summer I worked with artist Camille Hoffman, who took me and another student to the 32 EdgeWood Art Gallery in New Haven. She explained that artists and curators William Villalongo and Mark Gibson were showcasing the Black Pulp! Exhibition and that we should pay a visit. I'm glad I did, because I was shocked at the way that they presented the artwork, and I feel blessed that I was able to view the pieces that they were choosing for the show. I visited this gallery three times before I really understood what each piece meant.
 
Camille Hoffman invited me to the New Genealogies closing reception at the Yale School of Art, and I had the honor of meeting William Villalongo. We spoke for a while, and eventually, I asked if I could interview him for my school newspaper. He agreed, and the following is our interview.
 
Me: Would you mind telling us about your artistic background?
William: I am a painter primarily, but I like to make other things sometimes, such as collages, videos, and sculptures. I have a Bachelor's Degree from Cooper Union School of Art and a Master's Degree from Tyler School of Art at Temple University. My paintings feature figures in natural landscapes trying to build a world for themselves. I use references from history and current events.
 
Me: What is it like being a curator?
William: I had a great experience making this show with Mark Gibson. Being a curator is not any more difficult than being an artist. Curating takes a collaboration with a lot of people and a lot of patience. It also involves learning about new things and letting that information shape and strengthen your ideas. I spent a lot of time looking at rare books and reading about history. I also spent a lot of time talking to the artists in the show about their work, trying to understand it more.
 
Me: How long did it take for you to organize the Black Pulp! Exhibition?
William: Mark and I spent one year organizing the show.
 
Me: Who designed the poster outside the EdgeWood Gallery?
William: The poster was designed by Jerome Harris. Jerome is a current Master’s Degree candidate at the Yale School of Art. He will receive his M.F.A. in Graphic Design this year. Jerome is also from New Haven, and he is a really great guy!
 
Me: How hard was it to select the art pieces for the gallery?
William: Selecting works takes a lot of consideration. We wanted to represent a range of art mediums and we wanted to include artists that were older and younger. We wanted artists who were really well-known and some who have been working for a while, but were less-known. We also wanted to represent artists who had recently graduated from Yale. With the space we had, this was a lot to try to do. We know that there could have easily been twenty more artists in the show, but we choose artwork that shared similarities to the historic print media. We gave ourselves a limited number of artists as a goal, and we decided to ask for smaller works so we could fit in as much art as possible. We did research and asked artists to send five images to choose from. It was very hard, but also really interesting, to see all of the works.
 
Me: Do you have a favorite piece?
William: My favorite item in the show is a double-page spread of Esquire Magazine from 1939. It features illustrations of the Black dances from the 1930’s and 1940’s. The illustrations were made by the African American illustrator E. Simms Campbell.
 
Me: What was your initial reaction when you first met Emory Douglas and John Wesley Carlos?
William: I thought the earth stopped rotating! It was a great moment for me because I grew up having a great respect and admiration for what these men believe in and their courage to speak up for Black people and all people suffering in poverty and oppression around the world. Very inspiring!
 
Me: How did you feel when the Game Recognize Game event successfully ended? Did you feel relief?
William: I think the Game Recognize Game was probably one of the only educational panel discussions that I've been to (and I've been to many), that actually got something done. While many are interesting and informative, Game Recognize Game made a major difference on the Yale Campus and allowed for a conversation to be had that many found difficult. It also brought together many of the people in the New Haven community with the Yale community in a meaningful way.
 
Me: What projects are you working on now?
William: I will have some of my collage works on display at the Brooklyn Museum this spring. I am also looking forward to finishing the courses I teach at Yale. Black Pulp! will be traveling to N.Y.C. this fall. It will be on view at the international Print Center of New York.
 
Me: Do you have an ‘Arts Superhero,’ or someone you look to for inspiration?
William: My ‘Arts Superhero’ is the artist Robert Colescott. He made beautiful paintings that mixed history and humor.
 
Me: What advice could you offer to high school students hoping to pursue a career in art?
William: Make artwork and draw all the time, even if it is unpopular or annoys your friends and family. Keep a sketchbook always. Work hard on developing skills such as drawing from life. Go look at a lot of art. Don't just look at books. Go to local art museums. When you see art that knocks your socks off, immediately find more information to read about it or the artist who made it. In your sophomore and junior years, think about the types of art you want to pursue, talk to your teachers about it. Start looking for liberal arts colleges and art schools that have strong programs in the areas you're interested in. Understand what you will need to do to prepare for and attend these college and universities after high school. Do these things as if your life depends on it! Get help with this from your family members or teachers, especially the ones who supports your pursuit! Most of all, keep learning to make art!

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AP Art History Class Visits MOMA in NYC

Photos by Ashaliegh Carrington

Visual artist John Aponte shows his "Memory Art"