VA 4 LIFE

Welcome Back!!

2009-09-09T13:59:00.002-04:00

Welcome back VA! We hope you had an excellent summer enjoying the outdoors, making art, reading, working, and relaxing! We are excited about this school year and all the new things it brings. There is a new schedule which will allow many of you upper house va to participate in programs outside of school. We have a new intern from MassArt, Ms.Sullivan. Across the school we will be focusing on Seriousness of Purpose and what it looks like in our classes. More to come on all these things and more! Get ready for a rigorous and challenging year together!

Sidekick theft awareness design competition

2009-05-27T11:45:00.005-04:00

Mayor Menino's office along with the Boston Police Department held a competition for a Boston Public School student to design a Sidekick theft awareness poster. The winning design will be printed, hung in every Boston Public School, as well as on the MBTA transit system. The Boston Arts Academy Visual Arts department is proud to announce that Ricardo Reid, a 10th grade Visual Artist, has won the design competition. Mayor Menino, Boston Police Commissioner, Transit Police Chief, along with other members of the Boston Police, the 10th grade Visual Art class, and members of our school community all attended a ceremony celebrating BAA's participation and Ricardo's winning design. Please congrtulate Ricardo on his great accomplishment next time you see him!

Maya Lin Opening

2009-05-12T14:03:00.008-04:00

On May 8th Ms.Marsh and Mr.Edwards embarked on a journey to Storm King, a sculpture park located in Mountainville New York, with 5 visual art 9th graders: Amber Torres, Althea Bennett, Andy Beltre, Mimi Phan, and Ras Kassa Ramsey. They bravely crossed the Hudson River at special invitation to the opening of Maya Lin's newest piece, "Waves". Students experienced the entire sculpture park and had the distinct honor of meeting Maya Lin. Please ask these 5 students to share their experiences from their trip!

Artist Philemon Hlungane Visits the 9th grade Visual Artists

2009-04-29T15:34:00.003-04:00

On Thursday April 16th the 9th grade visual artists had a special opportunity to talk with and see the work of South African Artist, Philemon Hlungane. Philemon makes his art at Artist Proof Studio in South Africa, and is in the U.S. doing an artist residency in New York City. He came to the 9th grade class and shared some of his story and his prints with us. He asked the students why they like art, and he shared with them that he can't help but be an artist, it is in his blood. Alida Straut agreed and shared that several of her family members are also artists. It was a fun and exciting conversation for anyone present; including Philemon's thrilling use of scissors, ask anyone who was there! The 9th grade thanks Philemon for coming to BAA to share his work!

VA Senior Show 2009

2009-04-29T15:22:00.003-04:00

Come support our VA Seniors as they exhibit their works of art in the Sandra and Philip Gordon Gallery (on the first floor of BAA)!!

Senior Exhibition 2009
April 30th-May 22nd
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 30th, 5-7pm

Sandra and Philip Gordon Gallery
Boston Arts Academy
174 Ipswich Street
Boston, MA 02215

Gallery Hours
Monday-Friday 8am-4pm

COLLEGE BOUND!!

2009-04-28T15:07:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to our Visual Arts Seniors on their acceptances to college!!

Reno Rosales: UMASS Boston with a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship (Full Tuition Scholarship!)
Josephine Yu: UMASS Boston
Rochester Institute of Technology
California State University at Northridge
Gallaudet University
Yamira Serret: Amherst College (Full Tuition Scholarship!)
Hampshire College (Full Tuition Scholarship!)
Bard College
Smith College
Vassar College
Tufts University (Full Tuition Scholarship!)
School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Antonio Barbosa: UMASS Boston
UMASS Dartmouth
UMASS Lowell
Jared Harrison: Becker College
Johnson and Wales University
Julia Andreasson: Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a $1000 Scholastic
Portfolio Scholarship Award
UMASS Boston with a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship (Full Tuition
Scholarship!)
Johnny Eng: Becker College
Johnson and Wales University
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Jade Thacker: Massachusetts College of Art and Design (Full Tuition!)
School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston with an $18,000 Rosoff Award
School of Visual Art
Pratt
Art Institute of Boston
Tufts University
Emily Rusk: Pratt at Munson-Williams-Proctor
UMASS Dartmouth
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Virginia Commonwealth University
Sarina Mazzella: UMASS Boston
UMASS Lowell
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Ali Ozedmir: Art Institute of Boston
Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a $10,000 Rosoff Award
School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

We are so proud of our seniors for all their accomplishments! Please congratulate them when you see them!

VA students and teachers paint with BSO String Quartet

2009-03-06T16:27:00.004-05:00

On February 24, 2009 10 Visual art students painted alongside a live Boston Symphony Orchestra String Quartet. More photos and information to follow! Congratulations!

Mis-Wonderstood Opening Pictures

2009-01-14T09:51:00.007-05:00

Congratulations to the VA Juniors on their successful opening of Mis-Wonderdstood! The show is still up in the gallery and we invite you to come take a look!

Congratulations to the VA Juniors on their successful opening of Mis-Wonderdstood! The show is still up in the gallery and we invite you to come take a look!

Mis-Wonderstood

2009-01-12T18:08:00.001-05:00

Come Tuesday January 13th to the VA Junior's Art opening, Mis-Wonderstood, in the 4th floor gallery at BAA! The opening will begin at 4:30 and end at 6:30. Please come by and see the hard work they have done over the term!

Juniors visit Michael Mazur's studio

2008-12-09T08:32:00.005-05:00

On Thursday December 4th, the Junior VA class traveled to Cambridge to visit with world renowned painter/printmaker, Michael Mazur. He showed us his newest work and gave us a tour of his studio. Students were able to see the tools he uses to create his work, as well as get a hands on look at his process of printmaking. It was a very exciting afternoon! Ask any Junior VA student for more details about the very special visit they had.

in the news...

2008-12-05T13:07:00.003-05:00

Va Seniors and Mr.Telemaque are featured in an article about their photography collaboration with Winchester High School students. Check it out:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/winchester/fun/entertainment/arts/x541367636/WORTH-1-000-WORDS-PhotoSynthesis-IV

VA Senior Grant Recipient

2008-12-05T12:26:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to Kenny Walker on being a Senior Grant Recipient!
Congratulate Kenny when you see him!

Ms.Aldarondo's and Ms. Higgin's Advisories celebrate Thanksgving together!

2008-12-05T12:16:00.004-05:00

Why not celebrate Thanksgiving as many times as possible? Good company and good food... how could you go wrong? Here are some pictures from Ms.Aldarondo's and Ms. Higgin's advisories having their early Thanksgiving celebration!

Mini-VA Day: Monday November 24th 2008

2008-12-05T12:02:00.007-05:00

Upon the request from students to have more VA days, we decided to create 2 mini-VA days this year in addition to the 2 regular VA days. The first of the two happened on the Monday before Thanksgiving. Students came up to the 4th floor starting at advisory time and stayed through until the end of lunch. VA advisors made a pot luck lunch for the whole department to model how a pot luck is done. Everything was delicious from Mr.Edward's jerk chicken, to Mr. Telemaque's homemade brownies! Thanks VA! You are awesome!

VA students visit Julian Schnable in New York City

2008-12-02T11:35:00.002-05:00

On November 21st, Mr Telemaque and Mr. ADEkoje had the privilege of accompanying several VA and Theater students to New York City. World-renowned painter, Julian Schnabel, whose place in visual art (and film) history is firmly fixed, invited them for a tour of his studio. “I know what you're thinking: Pretty cool, huh? You're right, but more than you know,” said Mr.Telemaque of the visit.

They met a truly warm, passionate man who opened himself up to VA and Theater students for 2 hours! They saw a lot of his current work, in which he talked about the specifics of his process and inspirations. He brought them through his "house" (a 6 floor, self-designed palazzo - no kidding) where, “we witnessed some of the most visionary artwork I have ever seen, including his first broken plate painting”, said Mr.Telemaque. He spoke to us as if we were old friends, detailing some very personal issues he is now dealing with. All in all, they saw a real creative genius, who has been doing it for close to 30 years and is nowhere near being done. But more than that, they glimpsed the child inside Schnabel, full of vulnerabilities, trying to figure it out in his work. In describing the general feeling of the visit, Mr.Telemaque said, “Anyone who knows me, knows I don't go too much for the fluffy talk, but, in the moment, I really felt like something truly special was happening. It was one of those instances we all need, to affirm why we make artwork. We made a great friend that day.”

Please ask any of the VA or Theater students (mostly seniors) for more details and/or personal reactions to the visit. Check out a few photos from their exciting day!

Term 1 Honor roll Assembly 11/18/08

2008-11-20T11:08:00.012-05:00

We are so excited for all of the hard work the VA students have put forth in Term one. We hope to see even more of you receiving recognition for your artist, scholar, citizen achievements in Term two!
Congratulations!

Honorable Mention:
Junior Belfon (11), Quonedell Brown (10), Jayna Clark (10),
Kiah Drayton (10), Simon Hills (9), Tatiana Mesa (11), Mimmi Phan (9),
and Jade Thacker (12)

Honors:
Julia Andreasson (12), Antonio Barbosa(12), Anica Buckson (11),
Hannah Campolo-Rich (12), Simona Clausnitzer (11), Johnny Eng (12),
Yajaira Hernandez (12), Quela Jules (10), Jennifer Marrero (9),
Joshua Pimentel (10), Patricia Rizzo (10), Yoselin Rodriguez (10),
Jose Rosado (11), Reno Rosales (12), Emily Rusk (12), Taylor Saintable (9),
Ianna Thornquist (11), Amber Torres (9), and Josephine Yu (12)

High Honors:
Althea Bennet (9), Jasmine Lee (11), Ali Ozdemir (12), Karen Phung (10),
Gilda Rodrigues (11), and Yamira Serret (12)

Adams Scholars (free tuition to any state college):
David Wang (11), Julia Andreasson (12), Reno Rosales (12),
Yamira Serret (12), and Hannah Campolo-Rich (12)

(Seniors were on a trip, so only David was present to receive his scholarship)

Caught in the Act
This award honors a student, who is reccomended by a teacher, to be
recognized for her/his outstanding citizenship, thoughtfulness, and concern for her/his peers, teachers, and other building staff.
For Term one the award went to new 10th grader Joshua Pimentel

Some pictures from the assembly

What to show off on the blog?

2008-11-19T09:47:00.001-05:00

Email Ms.Osediacz your photos, poems, writing, artwork, va culture articles to kosediacz@bostonartsacademy.org. Also if you are interested in working on murals in BAA, let me know!

2008-11-14T10:14:00.008-05:00

Congratulations to our own
Jia Lin Li who has received
an Artistic Merit Award in the
Arts & Business Council’s
2008 Holiday Card Contest!!
She will be recognized at an
awards ceremony on Thursday,
November 20th from 4:30-6:30pm.
Images of the winning cards are posted on the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts website:
http://www.vlma.org.
Please congratulate her on her accomplishment when you see her!
We are proud of you Jia Lin!

Senior Grant Night 2008- VA!!

2008-11-14T09:23:00.010-05:00

Congratulations to the VA Class of 2009 on a successful Senior Grant Night! We are proud of you!

What is VA all about?

2008-10-07T08:50:00.005-04:00

These questions were posed to the entire VA department: What does it mean to be a VA? How is it different from other majors? Here are some of your inspiring responses.
(These responses may be full articles or excerpts)

Kiah Drayton

I like to think that my visual art's culture is something I celebrate everyday when I draw. My visual art's culture is when I express myself through color pencils, pastels, paint, ink and paper. It doesn't matter what type of paper, all that matters is what I make out of it. My culture is something that can't be taught, but molded into some thing powerful and beautiful. It is practiced everyday, sometimes for hours. Being a visual artist is an amazing feeling. It is challenging but when you break through those challenges you'll find it was worth it every time. When I get to use my imagination and life as my inspiration I am happy, some might say fulfilled. When I see my artwork finished, put together like a puzzle, I smile because I know that I did it and no one else could have. Being a visual art's major is totally different from all of the other art majors because visual arts majors can express themselves freely. The rules are limited by what we as visual artists allow ourselves to do. Other majors are really structured and yes sometimes structure is a good thing, but being a visual art major allows you to take risks and to challenge yourself. To be able to fail and grow from that failure, to learn what it really means to be a visual artist.

Christian Gonzalez
There are many things that make visual art different from other majors but one specific thing is that Visual Art is a bit more liberating in the way one works. In Dance or theater there are certain specifics as to how one has to do things. Like in theater you are not able to read too fast or one gets confused. In dance you have to follow choreography (in most cases) or the entire dance gets thrown off. In visual arts one has the free choice of choosing what movement your
art can take or what words or feelings you wish it to interpret.

Ianna Thornquist
In VA, the work space is respected because each student is sharing the studio amongst twenty others at times. The atmosphere is subtle and quiet when class is in session. Working can be strenuous and teachers understand that, so there is definitely a period of time towards the end of class where students and even the teachers can loosen up a bit.

It feels refreshing to be a VA. I love the atmosphere, most of the students, and all of my teachers. The faculty is just as supportive as my previous years as a music major. However, VA faculty really pushes their students beyond the limits and towards the possibilities. For example, you might turn in a homework assignment that you are proud of and spent a pretty decent time working on it. On the other hand, your teacher can see through what is on paper and encourage you to focus on certain areas you may have missed.

It feels okay to be critiqued by your peers. You don’t get criticized, but you do get help by someone viewing your work from a different perspective. There is also no competitive tension between students. Your work is respected as long as you show your effort through it. You put in what you get out, and everyone in the department can visually understand that.

Patricia Rizzo
Being a VA is a special commitment. This major is so different from the other majors at the Boston Arts Academy because of not what we do physically, but of what we do emotionally. What we do with our talents is fun and also very hard to work at. With being a VA we have many requirements and many commitments to show people at our school we are good and that we deserve to be here to learn from the best.

Yoselin Rodriguez
VA culture means we see things with different eyes, we feel with different hands. In this culture we share the ability of making a simple drawing and a big landscape with the same pencil, also of making a big piece of artwork with clay or any other tool we have to give a big message.

To be a VA is the best thing to be. It makes me feel special because I know that not everybody has the ability that we do; not only draw stick figures, but to put everything we see on a piece of paper. This also makes me feel proud of myself and of the people that share this with me.

Takii Samuels
A Visual Artist is a person with a trained eye who creates art using their mind, body, and spirit. Visual Artists pour their heart into their art... A visual Artist is a story teller, poet, a writer, a director, and more... Every time I make art it's a relief. I feel infatuated with art and being a Visual Artist. It's a gift, a great feeling that I use everyday... Being a Visual Artist is the best feeling I ever felt.

Joshua Pimentel
The definition of a VA to me is a person who expresses his or her feeling through visual art. Visual artists could be anyone in the world. If you have a passion for arts you are considered a VA.

Quela Jules
What's different about being a VA is the social aspect of class. I truly believe that we are a stronger community because we socialize, critique, and respect each other... There is a range of skill in this department. At first it is intimidating, being the best from your old class and facing all new talent. Then you realize it's not a competition. It is not easy to not compare yourself to other people. The best way to improve is to feed off other people's talent.

Quonedell Brown
As a Visual Artist I think our major is way different from other majors. I think we use our minds a little bit more to come up with things more creatively abstract. What we do is not always literal. When you look at a VA's artwork, it can mean many things. You'll have to think a lot to figure it out.

Karen Phung
I feel proud to be a VA. I come to class every morning wondering whats going to happen today. Since there are not many visual artists around, I feel the need to stand out and represent. Plus, being a VA for me is kind of like being in a dream. I'm on a fine line between reality and dreaming.

Visual artists are different from others because it is not a performing art. We showcase our talents through the images we create with our hands. When an audience looks at the work we do, they are not looking at what we can or can't do, but us... It is true that we may not stand in the spotlight. However, we are the shadows that make the world beautiful. We are different because we can make a difference.

Speaking of Blogging

2008-10-02T09:17:00.003-04:00

The Juniors currently in exhibitions are creating their own blogs documenting their work this term. Check them out!

http://stacysblog617.blogspot.com/ (Stacy Arman)

http://vaexibitions2008.blogspot.com/ (Joao Fernandes)

http://vaexhibitions999.blogspot.com/ (Anica Buckson)

http://vaexhibitions15.blogspot.com/ (Simona Clausnitzer)

http://artisi.blogspot.com/ (Aissa Alleyene)

http://vaexhibitions2008.blogspot.com/ (Helen Mei)

http://katrinacolonna.blogspot.com/ (Katie Colonna)

http://vaexhibtion8.blogspot.com/ (Junior Belfon)

http://vaexhibitions.blogspot.com/ (Jia Lin Li)

http://jlvaexhibitions.blogspot.com/ (Jasmine Lee)

Welcome VA!

2008-09-11T10:51:00.000-04:00

Welcome back VA!
We are so excited about this coming year together! This summer many of you participated in amazing programs across the city and state. Many of you traveled in the U.S. and some of you outside the U.S. Many of you had jobs this summer as well. Whatever you did, we are glad to see you all and we are excited for another year of art making together!!

This blog is a new addition to VA this year. Our hope is that it will contain useful information for you and your families about VA events and dates, school wide events and dates, citywide events and dates, and other information. We also plan on using this blog as a way to share your artwork with each other, the school, and the greater community.

Please check back frequently and enjoy!
Have an inspiring Term 1!