Come join Main Street Birmingham & North Birmingham
as we celebrate Martin Luther King Day of Service!

Monday, January 16, 2012
10 am – 3pm

Bring a brown bag lunch and help us paint the community mural.
Meeting location: North Birmingham EcoScape
2619 30th Avenue North
(Next to Wells Fargo Bank)

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“The Game” by Noel Johnson, Laurie Ann Kramer and 4th Grader’s from Hill Elementary, Birmingham, AL

What is your artwork about?:
Through a unique art integration program community artist Laurie Ann Kramer and musician Noel Johnson collaborated with three very talented teachers at Hill Elem. To engage their students in learning similes and metaphors through the arts they painted this quilt square, designed their CD cover art and wrote then recorded their own RAP song!

Participants: Laurie Ann Kramer – visual artist, Noel Johnson – musician.

The 4th grade classes of Mrs. Givens, Mrs. Parker, and Mrs. Rainey collaborated on the Painting with Poetry Hip Hop Metaphor and Simile quilt square and CD.

The students participating: Walter, Maleek, Tionne, Aryanna, Donell, Lanicia, Travontae, Darius,Ronald,Jackie,Adrian,Rickia,Sanchez, Markeatta, Osas. Jaylen, Kenterra, Laila, Jeremaih, Arnold, Quiara, Ny’Keira, Laqueon,Jonia, Jamerra, Terriyka, Zakariya, Destiny, Antonio, Shaniah, Jy’yAH, Jannet, Zharia, Daniel, Derius, Diamond, Joshua, Kayla, Brandon, Jeremy, Brian, Micah, John, Ana, Amaiaya, Antonio, Jaquontiea, Trinity, Zion, Raphael, Jonathan ,Keavon, Jalen, Ja’Cory ,Makayla, Nelson, Lenhart, Arianna, Cortario, Chanelle

What other projects could the IFC do? The gymnasium at our school.

What is the Dream Rocket Project? Individuals & Groups around the world are contributing to a monumental public art project. They have been submitting artwork to be included in a massive cover in which will wrap a 365’ foot Saturn V Moon Rocket at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Artworks & their stories are being placed on display in public venues around the United States prior to & after the wrapping the Saturn V. To date we have over 641 groups & schools from approximately 34 states & 17 countries submitting artwork for this wrap & tour.

The International Fiber Collaborative is a growing voice for collaborative public art projects around the world, we are dedicated to promoting understanding and appreciation of contemporary art & craft through educational experiences. We are committed to developing vital educational programs that elevate, expand, modernize and enhance the image of collaboration and education today. We are a new organization that was founded on the belief that connecting art & education through cross community collaborative projects can give individuals of all socio-economic, gender and age groups an opportunity to stimulate public dialogue about civic issues, give a national voice to our participant’s artwork and expand cross cultural understanding.

The founder of this organization saw the need and desire by individuals around the world to connect and engage with the broader world through art in a collaborative & educational spirit, this resulted in enriching the spirit & understanding of social issues and education in these regions around the world.

Sign up to participate in the Dream Rocket project at www.thedreamrocket.com.

Painting Poetry Hip Hop Metaphor and Simile

Title: Painting with Poetry Hip Hop Metaphor and Simile
Dream Theme: Imagination
Organizer: Laurie Ann Kramer

As a teaching artist working in the schools I am partnering with The Southern Environmental Center at Birmingham Southern to bring a unique art education opportunity to your students. Participation in this art contest is extended to schools in the Birmingham area.

Your School, and your students could earn cash awards. There is an Individual Category where students can create a T-shirt design and a Group/classroom Category creating sculpture with recycled materials. See  Watercress Darter Festival page (link) for guidelines.

The Freshwater Land Trust has committed to giving cash prizes to winning students and their classrooms in the following way:
1st Prize – $750
2nd Prize – $500
3rd Prize – $250

Awards will be presented at The 1st Annual Watercress Darter Festival in April. I would be glad to come out and give a presentation or work with your lead teachers.

Please let me know in what way I can help your school participate.

Supporting Education Through the Arts,
Mrs. Kramer

Currently participating in The Dream Rocket Exhibit at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library from January 1 – March 1 of 2011.

In Search Of Nature, We Find Family

By the Fresh Air Family after school Program at
St. Barnabus School in Birmingham, Alabama
Organized by Laurie Ann Kramer
Title – “In Search of Nature, We find Family.”-Verna Gates
Dream Theme – Nature & Family

What is Your Group’s Artwork About? The children enjoyed exploring their creative instincts as they squished blueberries to color bits of fabric. Others dipped leaves into pans of color. The students all took turns sharing pastels, pencils, paints and curious recycled materials from the red art trunk.

Everyone was there to provide education and encouragement to the talented young people participating. Being part of The Dream Rocket Project is a great experience. It provides a unique opportunity for today’s children to, not only express themselves, but also connect through the Dream Rocket to other children around the globe who share the common desire to be heard as they express their ideas for a brighter tomorrow.  ~Laurie Ann Kramer

For more information, visit The Dream Rocket website.

Visit The Dream Rocket website to learn how you can participate in this global art & education project! Director Jennifer Marsh has created an opportunity that captures the imagination of children (ages 1 to 101) Daring us to dream!

In Search Of Nature We Find Family Montevallo Middle School

Fresh Air Family’s After School Program
Montevallo Middle School

The students created art with our theme in mind, some painted, some with colored pencils, some used leaves and made prints & patterns, recycled materials were also combined in their art (check out the piece of pipe cleaner on the tree). The quilt square was a unique collaboration of many pieces of artwork becoming one.  Photographer Laura Brookhart used all of the art the students made to create this unique photo montage. As the students worked they shared the stories behind their art work, it was inspiring to collaborate with artist/musician Daniel Long, photographer Laura Brookhart, the teachers/mentors from Fresh Air Family and all the talented young artists.