Day 12: Critical mass

The artists provided constructive criticism on one another's vertical paintings, and then made finishing touches accordingly. Also, Daiyna took home the prize for employee of the week. Congrats to the JAMS crew for three weeks of hard work, environmental awareness and creative expression!

Day 11: Down by the river

JAMS artists wondered along the Kansas River (a.k.a. "the Kaw") to find items for their eco-sculptures. They came back with sticks, glass bottles and other sundry treasures. By the way, the friendly lady in shades is volunteer extraordinaire Susan. Volunteers play a big role in keeping JAMS jamming.





Then Nancy from CMEF (Community Mercantile Education Foundation) stopped by to share some nutrition info and whip up tasty treats. The Merc, Lawrence's local food co-op, is a long-time friend to Van Go!

Day 10: Professional artists

Social work intern Amy shared images of artwork similar to the current JAMS project-- "found objects" re-invented as creative masterpieces. And JAMS artists finished up those vertical storytelling paintings.

Day 9: Do something

JAMS artists started Week 3 of the spring program by making personal pledges to recycle selected items. Danielle pledged to use the blank side of used printer-paper when possible. Laticha pledged to recycle newspapers from her home. Midori pledged to recycle clothing--sock rags, anyone? Most artists pledged to collect pop cans and get them to a local recycling spot.

But wait, there's a twist! Artists will incorporate their chosen recyclables into their individidual eco-sculptures.

By the way, this is Lauren, who lends her creative skills and fun personality to the JAMS operation. On a given day this spring, she might pick up JAMS artists after school, lead a reading-discussion on recycling, and help participants with their paintings. She can also cycle a mountain bike faster than you can drive your car.

Cement is fun!

Two weeks of the JAMS program behind them, art director Cathy and JAMS director Mr. Jim spent Friday afternoon playing with cement. They're trying to fashion a solid foundation for the JAMS artists' eco-sculptures. Since the artists don't work on Fridays, it's the perfect day for staff to tackle these sorts of tasks.

Day 8: More paintin'

Pop quiz: What did JAMS artist Kyle do today?
a. Wear a cardboard cylinder on his head.
b. Lead a discussion with the question, "If you were a giant clam, what color would you be?"
c. Win employee of the week.
ANSWER: All of the above.




Meanwhile, the group continued working on their awesome vertical paintings of symbols representing themselves and our planet.

Day 7: Small world

JAMS artists viewed a cool website that whittles the world down to 100 people. As in, if you have a bed, closet and roof over your head, you're richer than 75 other people in the world. Check it out: www.miniature-earth.com.

Out on "the floor," artists got back to painting vertical storylines.





Mr. Jim to the rescue! He specializes in tough love.

Day 6: Personal symbols

JAMS artists begin and end each day in a circle. They discuss JAMS tasks at hand, and have a chance to share personal stuff during the "stress-o-meter." Each artist gives a number, 0-10, to represent his or her stress level that day. What's your number at the moment, fair blog reader?



Now, on to business! JAMS artists finished painting their personal symbols, which include everything from the natural elements to smiley faces to broken hearts.




This is art director Cathy showing off some sweet symbol action.



This is program director Jim, a.k.a. Mr. Jim. He is the "boss" of the JAMS work experience. Isn't he scary? Just kidding.

Day 5: Deep thoughts

The spring JAMS art project is coming into focus as individual totem-ish structures of "found objects," embodying artists' ideas of themselves and the world around them. You know, who are you and why are you on this planet and could you please interpret that with a 3-D art piece preferably made of trash? No small feat, but the JAMS artists are up to the challenge. Yesterday art director Cathy led a painting exercise on "vertical storytelling"--a ladder of symbols that tells a tale, as with totem poles. And on-staff literary maven Jane led a writing exercise: describe your favorite place without naming it. Here's what apprentice artist Randall, age 15, wrote:

"All of these gateways opening and closing before my eyes. The comfort in the chairs and the safety of the walls. So many ways to escape this place but still be safely here. Tethered here but gone so far away. So intense you can taste the food, smell the aromas. I can hear the voices of the people of those places. The excitement, the fear, the depression and joy--you feel them all. And just know that, if you so choose, you can take one gateway with you."

Randall's favorite place? The library.

Day 4: Beauty is in the eye of the trash beholder.

Valentine's Day was a perfect time for a field trip to the home of East Lawrence artist KT Walsh, whose front yard is a love letter to objects others would toss. ("Dear defunct bath tub, I fancy your lovely porcelain curves. Will you be my flower planter forever? Yours, KT") JAMS artists got a kick out of KT's wild, found-object artistry, which inspired some ideas for the current JAMS mission--to recycle sundry items into sculptural, self-reflective art pieces. (Photo of KT Walsh stolen from Lawrence.com. Thanks.)

Day 3: R-E-S-P-E-C-T

On Wednesday, February 13, apprentice artists talked about respect--in the workplace, for the environment, and of themselves. Maren, the Van Go social worker, led a discussion of respectful behaviors at work. Later, artists brainstormed ways to reduce the carbon footprints they had calculated. And Cathy, the Van Go art director, led youth in painting personal symbols that honor their identities and later will be incorporated into large, eco-themed art projects. Sock it to me!

Day 2: What's your footprint?

On the second day of the spring JAMS session, apprentice artists took quizzes to determine their "carbon footprints." Things like meat consumption, transportation habits and trash creation contribute to this "footprint," which is essentially how much havoc you wreak on Mother Earth.

Overheard: "It takes 37 acres to sustain my lifestyle. I had sort of an epiphany today: I need to make some changes." --Sam, 18, apprentice artist

Spring JAMS: Van Go Green

Welcome! The spring session of JAMS kicked off yesterday with 21 awesome young people. They learned their mission for the next eight weeks: to create three-dimensional structures from "found objects," better known as "junk." By using plastic bottles, aluminum cans and all sorts of items that would end up in landfills, their art projects will embody the spirit of environmentalism. Throughout their artistic journey, JAMS youth will learn from local eco-experts how to reduce their own "footprints" on the world around them. Check back for (practically) daily updates on the spring JAMS journey through junk yards, informative exercises and creative expression.