Art on Purpose Announces Remington Youth Community Radio Project's CD Release of RYCR: Portrait of a Neighborhood
For Immediate Release
Press Contact:
Beth Barbush
410-322-7080
MEDIA ALERT
Art on Purpose in partnership with Greater Remington Improvement Association announces: Remington Youth Community Radio Project's CD release of RYCR: Portrait of a Neighborhood: Artwork and audio created for and by Remington residents.
Join us for the free community art event Remington Stories: Images from the past and visions for the future on Saturday June 19, 2010
Art on Purpose in partnership with Greater Remington Improvement Association (GRIA) announces the 2nd annual community art event Remington Stories: Images from the past and visions for the future on Saturday June 19th.
Remington Stories is a one-day community art exhibition held in the Remington community from 1:00 - 5:00pm at 2800 Remington Avenue Baltimore MD. This exhibition features artwork and audio from Art on Purpose's Remington Youth Community Radio project (RYCR), as well as historical photographs and archival imagery of the Remington community. At this event, Art on Purpose will release the CD, and audio-visual map, RYCR: Portrait of A Neighborhood. This double disc ready for radio compilation includes interviews, stories, and recorded reflections collected by the RYCR youth participants about Remington; it's residents, it's businesses, and neighborhood character.
Art on Purpose started Remington Youth Community Radio (RYCR) in 2008. The program was created and directed by Art on Purpose's program director, community artist, and GRIA board member Beth Barbush. RYCR is a youth development, community building and civic engagement project in which youth ages 9 -17 learn basic audio recording, editing and photography skills. Approximately 20 Remington youth participated during its 2nd season, some meeting in Tuesday night weekly class sessions and others during the week outside of class for independent interview sessions. RYCR participants discussed and reflected upon community issues and exercises in self-expression through writing, recording, drawing and photographing.
RYCR: Portrait of a Neighborhood is comprised of nearly 40 separate tracks, edited together by Barbush from interviews that were conceived, conducted, and recorded by youth. Topics range from residents reminiscing about the during the Depression, to youth sharing their perspectives on their homes, favorite places, crime and safety concerns. to their personal visions for Remington's future. Listeners learn about current community businesses, neighborhood greening initiatives, and an underground music venue called "The Zoo." A 9 year-old musician named Lennon shares his rock star musical talent, and 91 year-old woman shares her memories and experiences at the community's Church of the Guardian Angel. The double-CD also features an audio essay by historian and Johns Hopkins University professor Melanie Shell-Weiss, who provides insights on qualities of Remington that are ingredients for any healthy neighborhood.
RYCR youth participants describe the project best, 12-year-old Maria Kelly says, "It's about getting to know our neighborhood better, the people in it, and the history and the businesses." Fellow participant, Arianna Clatterbuck feels this about participating in RYCR "We are getting people involved and aware in Remington and are making our mark." Deandre Jones adds, "I want something positive out of myself. I love interviewing people. I want to be on the news and make my grandma proud."
RYCR is just one of many community programs that GRIA supports and implements. It is well known and received in Remington for providing a consistent after school youth program as well as creating opportunities for residents to meet, speak and listen to each other. GRIA uses the RYCR interview sessions, audio/visual product, and community gatherings around this program, to encourage residents of all ages to interact with one another and become aware of community issues, concerns and improvement projects. Program facilitator Barbush says "The collected stories and perspectives mirror many urban neighborhoods -our issues are not unique to us, but our way of listening and talking to others through interviews and art is a new way of engaging residents in the community with their immediate environment and their neighbors. We hope this project can model for others what they too can do in their communities."
The public is invited to GRIA's annual Remington Stories event between 1pm and 3pm, you will have the opportunity to view artwork, listen to the youth radio pieces, record your own community story, participate in an audio visual neighborhood walking tour, and speak directly with the residents. Between 3pm and 5pm, entertainment and refreshments will be provided by local Remington musicians and residents. RYCR: Portrait of a Neighborhood double-CDs and audio-visual maps will be distributed free to the first 100 attendees. The Greater Remington Improvement Association will also be placing the RYCR audio tracks on line at www.griaonline.org. Please go to the GRIA website for more info and directions.
Art on Purpose is a 501(c)3 non-profit community arts organization that enriches, inspires, and informs Baltimore communities by using, making, and sharing art to bring people together around issues that matter to them. Founded in 2005, the organization has provided art workshops, exhibitions, and events for thousands, serving individuals, organizations, and neighborhoods throughout Baltimore.
GRIA is an independent, resident-based group that provides an open forum for the development and discussion of Remington community issues and neighborhood improvement initiatives. GRIA aims to facilitate resident-led projects, promote intergenerational collaboration, provide support, resources, and information to neighbors, and build partnerships to strengthen Remington. Through these efforts, GRIA hopes to make Remington a safer, greener, more vibrant and socially connected community within Baltimore.
