On Location - Locations

"Through His Eyes" Beaufort Middle School DATES: February 23-March 6, 2009

If hard work makes a man, then what makes an artist? For Minister Johnnie Simmons, it's both hard work and his ability to see pictures in the grains of wood. Minister Simmons is a thriving artist who works mainly with Gullah. By using hot, metal tools, he burns wood, creating pictures that show how his life had been like when he was younger. Every word on his pieces is written in Gullah. He is a Gullah artist in the true sense of the word.

Johnnie Simmons is a self-trained Gullah artist, who works primarily with wood. He grew up in a Gullah community on St. Helena Island and uses his art to tell stories that capture his upbringing in the Gullah community, as well as his life experiences and philosophical beliefs.

Woodburning is the art of using a heated tip to burn designs onto wood. Artists create different effects by varying the type of tip used, the temperature, or the way the iron is applied to the wood. Once the design is burned in, the wooden objects are often colored, sometimes boldly or more delicately tinted.

The Lowcountry encompasses South Carolina's coastal counties, some of which are Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton. Beaufort County is actually a series of islands, which includes the more tourist-oriented Hilton Head Island, and the more historian-ecologist-oriented Beaufort. Within the soul of Beaufort County beats the heart of the Gullah culture, a blend of American and West African traditions that have fused over the past three hundred years to create a unique heritage rich in art, music, spirituality, craft and storytelling. Isolated by our Lowcountry barrier islands, the Gullah culture thrived and remained virtually unchanged until the latter half of the twentieth century.

"AMLA" Antonia Pantoja Charter School DATES: March 9-20, 2009

This is a story about Jesse Bermudez. In 1982, Jesse started an organization named AMLA (Artistas y Musicos Latino Americanos). This organization helps students develop their musical talents. Jesse wished for an organization like this when he was a younger, and has now turned his wish into reality. He is proud of his community and the work that he does. We hope you enjoy the documentary about Jesse Bermudez and his Latin culture.

Artistas y Músicos Latino Americanos (AMLA) is an organization that promotes Latin music in Philadelphia and shares Latino culture and history with the community's youth. Since its start, AMLA has trained new Latino artists and opened up major venues for Latino musicians, making Latin music a major part of Philadelphia's music scene.

There are many diverse styles of Latin music that originated from or were made popular by different Latin American countries, including the Puerto Rican Salsa, the Brazilian Samba, and the Argentinean Tango. In general, Latin music is influenced by Spanish song forms, African and Latin rhythms, European classical music, and modern genres such as rock, reggae and hip-hop.

North Philadelphia is special in its own ways. The community believes in many different religions, foods, cultures and arts. It is filled with people from different places, including Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombian, Mexicans, and African American people. A lot of the music we have comes from our Latin culture; and we love to dance in festivals, parades, and at home. Like any other community we also have our movie theater, museums and many other local places.

"The Power of Dance" Anderson Middle School DATES: March 23 - April 3, 2009

The Power of Dance is about discovery. Students were given the privilege to talk with Barbara Selinger, the founder and artistic director of the DDC. She described the purpose of DDC and what they do in schools. This is an interesting way to tell that story. To get the whole story, see the video for yourself. We promise that you won’t be disappointed.

Established in 1980, Detroit Dance Collective (DDC), is a contemporary dance company dedicated to producing visually striking dance performances that express important social themes. The company is widely recognized for its innovative use of video, unusual costuming, diverse selections of music, and spectacular set décor.

Modern dance was developed in the early 20th century as a contrast to the structured techniques and costumes characteristic of ballet. It is a more relaxed, free style of dancing that focuses on creative self-express and centers on the dancer’s own interpretations.

The Detroit Metropolitan Area is an arts-minded community bursting with artistic pride. Marshall Fredricks created the sculpture, “Spirit of Detroit.” Music buffs recognize many blues, jazz, and MoTown artists. The Detroit Opera, Fox Theater, Cranbrook, the Detroit Institute of Arts, plus countless other galleries, music halls and theaters all provide spaces for artists’ creations. Even the layout of Detroit exhibits artistic design. Designed to represent the spokes of a car’s wheel, the streets paved the way for countless car companies, hence the nickname Motor City.

"Ricky Trione's
Inspirational Art" Foley Middle School DATES: April 20 - May 1, 2009

Can a man who became blind in the middle of his life turn his disability into something great? Come and find out while watching Ricky Trione share his special talent of painting without sight. Filmed in the southern part of Alabama, where Ricky Trione grew up, the film shows how he remembers events as a child and then feels his way through the painting technique. This movie will both inspire you and touch your heart.

Artist Ricky Trione spent his earlier years creating pen and ink drawings until two different, unfortunate accidents left him without his eyesight. With help from his fellow local artists, Ricky was able to master a new technique of painting by touch. Today, he creates bold, colorful artwork that reflects his Gulf Coast upbringing and his positive outlook on life.

Painting is the art of applying different kinds of paint (acrylic, oil pastel, watercolor, etc.) and other mediums to a surface. It is a visual art form that allows artists to express their ideas or emotions, tell a story, document reality as they see it, or simply create work they find visually pleasing.

Our community is named "the Forward City". Foley was named after John Burton Foley who moved here and built the first railroad. Foley is located in the southern region of Baldwin County and hosts a variety of arts and crafts events, as well as serves as home to key museums for the region. For example, Art in the Park, The Shrimp Festival, and the L&N Deport Museum. Foley is less than 10 minutes away from the Gulf of Mexico, which inspires and attracts many artists to the area. Foley is a wonderful secret.

"Putting the ART in cARThage" Thomas Jefferson Independent
Day School DATES: May 4-15, 2009

In a shady valley in Carthage, Missouri one will find one of our nation's most respected artists; Bob Tommey. Finding inspiration in western culture, Mr. Tommey has worked to preserve this heritage through sculpture and painting. By bringing his unique gifts to Carthage, Mr. Tommey has helped to craft the town's artistic reputation.

Bob Tommey is a painter and sculptor best known for his western art. He is an admired and respected artist and teacher whose work is recognized for its composition, color, and unique use of light and textures. Bob has received numerous national awards, started several arts organizations, and developed the talents of many successful artists.

Art of the American West is often referred to as Western Art. This relatively new category of art includes paintings, sculptures, and sometimes Native American crafts. Common themes and images of Western Art include 19th century American west culture, such as American Indians, cowboys, pioneers, cattle, horses, and landscapes.

A small community of about 14,000 people, Carthage, the county seat of Jasper County, is located in the southwestern corner of Missouri. Also known as the Maple Leaf City due to its beautiful fall maple foliage, it is located along historic Route 66. By the turn of the century, marble mined in Carthage was used in building projects across the country. On the third Saturday in October, the Maple Leaf Festival is host to many local schools and talents in this eight-day festival, featuring arts and crafts, a petting zoo, an auto show, a dog show, live entertainment, and family-style fun. Visit Carthage and enjoy a city that is reminiscent of days gone by.

"Welcome to D.C." Arts and Technology Academy DATES: January 7-22, 2009

Many people outside of D.C. have never heard of Go-go music or Mambo Sauce, but this is about to change! Follow along as Alfred “Black Boo” Duncan explains the bands unique style of music and lets us in on “The Recipe” behind their success. We hope you enjoy hearing the sounds of this new flavor of Go-go music.

Mambo Sauce is a D.C.-based band that started in 2005. Made up of six young musicians, Mambo Sauce blends together old-Soul and new school Hip-Hop with Rock and the percussions of traditional Go-go music to create their own sound. The band, popular in and around Washington, D.C., hopes to take their style of music to audiences around the world.

Go-go is a kind of funk music that originated in the Washington, D.C., area during the mid- to late-1970s. It relies heavily on drums, congas and other percussion instruments to create a continuous groove and keep audiences dancing to the music. Go-go bands also use “call-and-response” and invite audience members to sing parts of the song.

Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, offers many unique opportunities to learn about America’s rich history and engage with world cultures. As the home to major museums, cultural organizations, and theaters, it attracts many people from all over the world to view monuments and memorials and see dance, theater, live music, and visual art. Washington also has an active music scene. Many of the city’s musicians are well known for their contributions to Jazz, Bluegrass, Punk, and Go-go.

"Mosaic Journey" Samuel S. Gaines Academy DATES: February 9-20, 2009

Ms. Prentice, a self taught artist, takes much of her inspiration from the colorful, costal community which she has called home for more than 20 years. MOSAIC JOURNEY takes us into the soul of an artist who has made a major impact on the arts in her city and continues to grow a love in the arts for the next generation. Watch the video and discover what drives her to create her work and why she believes that she has found a place in the ultimate artistic community.

Anita Prentice is a self-trained visual artist who works in glass. She’s spent 10 years travelling the world, studying art and art history along the way. The beauty of her artwork, from her furniture pieces to her portraits and sculptures, comes from her passion to create and her desire to honor the community’s historic roots.

Mosaic is the art of creating designs or pictures with small pieces of colored glass, stone or other material. Mosaic artists use these small fragments, known as tessearae, to create a variety of artwork from wall hangings to ceiling decorations and sculptures. This ancient art form can be traced as far back as 4th century B.C.

Fort Pierce is a town on the southeast coast of Florida in a region that is known as the Treasure Coast. The name comes from the great amount of sunken treasure that lies off the coastal waters. Although this town is one of the oldest in Florida, it has enjoyed major growth in the past several years. The diverse groups of people who live here spend much of their time going to the beaches, fishing, and enjoying the beautiful natural wildlife. You can find lots to do and a rich history Has a rich history in this self-proclaimed ‘community on the rise'. .

"Exploring Creativity" Meacham Middle School DATES: May 18-29, 2009

Students from all areas of Fort Worth, Texas are learning that the theatre can be a way to make their voices and opinions heard. Under the direction of Rob Bosquez, members of the Artes de la Rosa Teen Troupe at the Rose Marine Theatre are encouraged to write and perform plays. Through these original plays the teens are able to explore and share their problems and the concerns they face in and out of school.

Teatro de la Rosa's Teen Troupe is a group of a dozen teenage actors, best known for their award winning, cutting edge play productions. Troupe members create original storylines based on real world issues and themes they find personally meaningful. They also participate in all the various stages of production, from writing the scripts to designing costumes and building sets.

Theater is an art form where actors perform stories in front of an audience, using a combination of speech, gestures, music, dance, and sound to bring the story to life. Theater can be dated back to 2500 B.C., and is rooted in the human tradition of storytelling. Most forms of theater include the key storytelling elements of dialogue, setting, character, and plot.

Fort Worth, Texas, has a proud western heritage dating from cattle drives of the late 1800s to the stockyards of the 1900s. Today, the western theme is continued in the Stockyards area of north Fort Worth which is a popular tourist destination. In addition to the Stockyards, the Northside neighborhood houses the historic Rose Marine Theater and a thriving Hispanic community. Fort Worth is also known for its rich arts district that includes the Kimbell Art Museum, the Amon Carter Museum, and The Modern Art Museum.

"Glass’a’nooga" Normal Park Museum Magnet School DATES: April 6-17, 2009

Glass'a'nooga is the story of how stained glass artist Dee Mays Lewis works with Normal Park Museum Magnet students through the complicated, and sometimes dangerous, process of creating stained glass mosaics. The artist and students share what makes the experience worthwhile, and how the process engages the community as they sit around a table trying to find “the perfect piece” to create their collective vision in a mural depicting their studies at a museum school.

Accomplished artist Dee Mays Lewis has been working with stained glass for 26 years. Her artwork can be seen in churches, art galleries, and installations around Chattanooga. Dee also shares her love for glass art as well as her spirit of exploration and determination by teaching workshops and classes across the country.

Stained glass artists arrange pieces of colored glass to form patterns or pictures. Throughout its thousand-year history, stained glass art most often appeared as windows in churches and other significant buildings. Today modern glass artists are creating three-dimensional structures, and are experimenting with new techniques and styles.

Since the revitalization of the downtown area as a museum district, Chattanooga has returned to its moniker "the Scenic City". The community recognizes the restorative power of embracing the arts and humanities in all their forms. At Normal Park Museum Magnet school, students feel a strong sense of their purpose and place in the history of Chattanooga: "Chattanooga is a different kind of town. Normal Park is a different kind of school. I guess that's why we do all our exhibits and travel journals, to kind of encourage others in the community to be creative."