Historical April 1992 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Young Artists Hands On Opportunities (YAHOO) program is based on activities developed in New Orleans to involve inner city youth in art-related projects.
The Regional Arts Commission is helping to fund a trial project now in SkinkerDeBaliviere through the auspices of the West End Arts Council. Sculptor Bill Christman is in charge of the classes. Six students are participating on an active basis at the present time.
These students all attend different schools: Metro, Junior Classical Academy, Incarnate Word, Rosati-Kain, St. Louis University High School, John Burroughs, but all live within three blocks of one another. Classes currently meet on Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and there is an optional workshop on Saturday.
The classes are held at Christman’s Studio, 6014 Kingsbury. Christman is very impressed with the students’ enthusiasm.
For example, all attended on President’s Day even though regular school classes were not held.
The students have begun working in pairs on a vertical pylon sculpture that will be three-dimensional and will incorporate both light and time-keeping functions.
The students began with verbal exploration and the random design of letter forms.
They also are working on individual projects creating light boxes. Christman teaches two young males and four females.
He tries to give them encouragement and validation and especially credit for the ability to think.
The students have ideas; he provides technical skills.
In the future, Christman is planning on field trips.
They can go to a hardware store to look for unusual objects. “When you look at materials, you can find something that will carry your idea further.” He also plans to have the students meet with other neighborhood artists.
This trial program will run through May for a total of four months.
According to Christman, the focus has been on the present, not the future.
This has been a new experience for everybody. How this trial turns out will determine the future course. YAHOO differs from its counterpart in New Orleans. Skinker- DeBaliviere is a more diverse neighborhood and the students reflect that YAHOO will reflect the needs of young adults in this neighborhood and will allow young adults who attend different schools to know each other as well.
Original photograph caption
Some students participating in YAHOO show recent works-in-progress: from left, Jon Micheal Vinson, David Gioia, Lucy Griesbach and Mary Wiltenburg. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April 1992.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1992_04.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
