A Story Of My Mother - Dionta G.

Here are the poems submitted by Free Write Arts & Literacy youth for 2018's Louder Than A Bomb. This year was amazing and it's important to note the first piece "Freedom" by Nakiyah made it all the way to semi-finals. This was the first time in history one of youth made it past the first and second round. Thank you for taking the moment to listen and share.

Louder Than A Bomb 2018

Frankie - Justice

Nakiyah - Freedom

This is Free Write's Louder Than A Bomb Submissions for 2019. Thank you for listening to the young peoples voices.

Dawon- Sometimes

Chanell H -Sister Sister

Keondra - Penal System

Jaemiya - My Mothers Child

Christin G - A Letter To My Mom

The run cycle animations were created in the 2014-2015 visual arts workshops led by Elgin Bokari Smith. The students - Jovanny S., Jeremy D., Marco M., Darian G., Kian M., Kenneth T., and Joshua S. - began by drawing and learning to manipulate a stick figure in side profile. They studied a runner’s range of motion and drew twelve stick figures in various stages of taking strides. They then sketched a body shape to the running stick figures. Then they inked over all their lines to make a clean drawing. They then scanned their images, used Adobe Photoshop, Toon Boom, and Wacom touch tablets to color their runners. The artists then assembled their drawings and rendered them as animation. Finally, they drew backgrounds through which their runner will pass, wrote artist statements, and devised a “baton word” that they wanted to pass on to the next runner.  Elgin said, “They were able to pick up the process so quickly. I felt like I was able to learn and explore along with the students.” For Free Write's 2019 exhibition of student work, In Conversation, original scores were composed by Chicago-based artists Don Crescendo, Jared Brown, Tim Nickless, and Ryan Keesling.

Free Write Arts & Literacy Presents: In Conversation
Opening June 14, 2019
Chicago Art Department
1932 S. Halsted St. #100
6pm-10pm

Please join Free Write Arts & Literacy for a very special exhibition of student work, In Conversation.

In Conversation invites over two dozen internationally recognized artists to create original work in response to Free Write student visual art, poetry, animations, and audio recordings.

For almost 20 years, Free Write has been working inside locked facilities like the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (CCJTDC), offering literacy and arts education to detained youth. As an extension of this programming, Free Write produces regular publications and exhibitions to bring forth student work and stories beyond the walls of the jail and into the public sphere. These efforts serve to celebrate, validate, and elevate the work of our students, while also instigating complex conversations about the carceral system, justice, and community accountability.

This year, we invite artists from Chicago and beyond to be a part of that conversation. Each piece will be exhibited alongside its source material and included in a printed catalogue, forging discourse and dialogue between artists inside and outside of detention.

Alongside the exhibition, Free Write will host its first major fundraising event on June 22, MoneyBall. The original work created in response to Free Write student artwork will be available for purchase at auction to benefit Free Write’s continued programming and advocacy work.

In Conversation is curated by Chelsea Ross, with assistance from Omar Dyette.


IN CONVERSATION CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Marzena Abrahamik
Melissa Castro Almandina
Alexandra Antoine
Jeffrey Michael Austin
Iris Bernblum
Jared Brown
Don Crescendo
Elizabeth De La Piedra
Angela Davis Fegan
Liz Gomez
Cornelius H.
Keshawn H.
Meisha
Shawné Michaelain Hollway
Frankey L.
Monica L.
E’mon Lauren
Damon Locks
Hector M.
Jasmine
Jonathon
Liz McCarthy
Zakkiyyah Najeebah
Patricia Nguyen
Tim Nickless
Tarnynon Onumonu
Destine P.
Nakiyah P.
Greg Pardlo
Emilio Rojas
Chelsea Ross
Nancy Sánchez
STREETZ
Martinez
Mary Scott-Boria
Norman Teague
Adrian W.
Derrick Woods-Morrow
Zamani

Don Crescendo - Run Cycle Animation Score

In Conversation
Opening June 14, 2019
Chicago Art Department
1932 S. Halsted
6pm-10pm

Please join Free Write Arts & Literacy for a very special exhibition of student work, In Conversation.

In Conversation invites over two dozen internationally recognized artists to create original work in response to Free Write student visual art, poetry, animations, and audio recordings.

For almost 20 years, Free Write has been working inside locked facilities like the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (CCJTDC), offering literacy and arts education to detained youth. As an extension of this programming, Free Write produces regular publications and exhibitions to bring forth student work and stories beyond the walls of the jail and into the public sphere. These efforts serve to celebrate, validate, and elevate the work of our students, while also instigating complex conversations about the carceral system, justice, and community accountability.

This year, we invite artists from Chicago and beyond to be a part of that conversation. Each piece will be exhibited alongside its source material and included in a printed catalogue, forging discourse and dialogue between artists inside and outside of detention.

Alongside the exhibition, Free Write will host its first major fundraising event on June 22, MoneyBall. The original work created in response to Free Write student artwork will be available for purchase at auction to benefit Free Write’s continued programming and advocacy work.

In Conversation is curated by Chelsea Ross, with assistance from Omar Dyette.


IN CONVERSATION CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Marzena Abrahamik
Alexandra Antoine
Jeffrey Michael Austin
Iris Bernblum
Don Crescendo
Elizabeth De La Piedra
Angela Davis Fegan
Liz Gomez
Cornelius H.
Keshawn H.
Meisha
Shawné Michaelain Hollway
Frankey L.
Monica L.
E’mon Lauren
Damon Locks
Hector M.
Jasmine
Jonathon
Liz McCarthy
Zakkiyyah Najeebah
Patricia Nguyen
Tim Nickless
Tarnynon Onumonu
Destine P.
Nakiyah P.
Greg Pardlo
Emilio Rojas
Chelsea Ross
Nancy Sánchez
STREETZ
Martinez
Mary Scott-Boria
Norman Teague
Adrian W.
Derrick Woods-Morrow
Zamani

Jared Brown - Run Cycle Animation Score

Free Write Arts & Literacy makes creative spaces for young people who are incarcerated and court involved in Chicago. We engage youth in one-on-one literacy tutoring, workshops in creative writing, visual art, and music production, as well as publishing and public exhibition. www.freewritechicago.org for more information.

Free Write Arts & Literacy

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