ArtReach Master Class Students

Deja   Alex   Nahji   Courtney   Aneia   Christian   Malik   Kayla Amina

Deja, Age 14, Ninth Grade
Deja has been in the program two years. She began in 2010.

What is your favorite medium to work with? How would you describe your style?

My favorite medium to work with is sketching with all types of drawing material. My style is abstract, cartoon people, landscapes, and lettering.

What do you like most about the ArtReach program?

I like that we were able to create a mural, meet a great artist named Nina Chanel Abney, and the field trips to the Corcoran Art Gallery.

What did you like about working with Nina Chanel Abney and the mural project?

I liked that we actually got to meet her and work with her on a project.

Did working with Nina Chanel Abney change the way you think about art?

Working with her made me look at art from a professional artist point of view and made me understand it more.

Do you have your ArtReach artwork hung up at home?

I do have my art from the ArtReach hung up on the walls around my home. It was also featured at the Corcoran Art gallery.

What was your favorite part of the field trip to the Corcoran Gallery of Art?

I like the painting by Kerry James Marshall.

What part of your experience with the ArtReach program are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the chance I get to express myself through sketching and painting.

What would you tell a friend about the ArtReach program?

I would tell my friends that it’s a great opportunity to be able to experience different types of art and different ways of making your art.

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“Art allows me to express myself, master a skill that I love, and soothe my soul.” - Alex

Alex, Age 13, Eighth Grade

I have been in the ArtReach program for a year now.  I started in August 2010.

What is your favorite medium to work with? How would you describe your style?

My favorite medium to work with is a tie between acrylic and watercolor.  My style is bright, fun, laid back, and adventurous.

What do you like most about the ArtReach program?

I learn more about technique and different styles of art.  I also like that I get to meet other kids who share the same interest as me.

What did you like about working with Nina Chanel Abney and the mural project?

The best thing about working with Miss Nina Chanel Abney on the mural was that she showed me how to mix paint to create the ideal skin color for different races.

Did working with Nina Chanel Abney change the way you think about art?

Working with Nina, I discovered that your art may mean so much more to people if there is a meaning behind a certain part of your painting. Like a signature.

Where is your ArtReach artwork hung?

My art is hung up at THEARC in the gallery.

What was your favorite part of the field trip to the Corcoran Gallery of Art?

My favorite part of the field trip to the Corcoran Art Gallery was seeing the blaxploitation exhibit.

What part of your experience with the ArtReach program are you most proud of?

I would have to be most proud of my neighborhood piece, mainly because I have gotten so many compliments.

What would you tell a friend about the ArtReach program?

I would tell a friend that there is opportunity here.

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“Its genetic and I love to draw and paint.” – Nahji

Nahji,  Age 13, Tenth Grade

Nahji began in the fall of 2010.

What is your favorite medium to work with? How would you describe your style?

Drawing, sketching, and painting.  When I painted on the canvas I used the colors that expressed my personality and who I am.

What do you like most about the ArtReach program?

Learning different types of art and how to make enhancing my skill and learning more about art.

What did you like about working with Nina Chanel Abney and the mural project?

Learning about Nina’s artwork and inspiration and how she got started in art.

Do you have your ArtReach artwork hung up at home?

I don’t have work hung up yet, but I’m going to get frames for everything.

What was your favorite part of the field trip to the Corcoran Gallery of Art?

Getting to see all the different art pieces and what they meant and how they were inspired.

What part of your experience with the ArtReach program are you most proud of?

I liked using the canvas.

What would you tell a friend about the ArtReach program?

Being in ArtReach teaches more about different types of mediums, you get to go on field trips to the art gallery and meet artists and get to learn more about art.

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“I get to express myself through art.” – Courtney

Courtney, Age 17, Eleventh Grade

Courtney began in 2006 and has been in the program for five years.

What is your favorite medium to work with? How would you describe your style?

My favorite medium of art to work with is a pencil.  I would describe my style as cartoonish.

What are three things you like most about the ArtReach program?

I can express myself, I can make a lot of different pieces of art with different mediums, and I get to have my art displayed in the gallery.

What did you like about working with Nina Chanel Abney and the mural project?

I like that Nina incorporated my classmates into her piece.

What was your favorite part of the field trip to the Corcoran Gallery of Art?

The college, because of the computer lab. I took animation classes in at the Corcoran during the summer.

What part of your experience with the ArtReach program are you most proud of?

When I sold my first painting.

What would you tell a friend about the ArtReach program?

If you like art and want a chance to explore it more, you should come.

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Aneia Grayton, Age 13, Seventh Grade

Aneia has been in the program for two years

How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as creative, colorful, and enjoying.

What did you like about working with Nina Chanel Abney and the mural project?

I never thought I would ever be able to do anything like it.

Do you have your ArtReach artwork hung up at home?

Yes.  In my room on my wall.

What was your favorite part of the field trip to the Corcoran Gallery of Art?

30 Americans.

What part of your experience with the ArtReach program are you most proud of?

All of my work and paintings.

What would you tell a friend about the ArtReach program?

I would tell them what you do and what I like about it and say that they should join.

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Christian, 12 years old, 7th grade

Christian has been in the program for two years.  

What is your favorite medium to work with and how would you describe your style?

My favorite medium is pencils. My favorite style is abstract because of my style. My style is stylish and childish at the same time. 

What are three things you like most about the ArtReach program?

The trips, the experiences (Corcoran Gallery Trip) and Ms Tara.

What did you like about working with Nina Channel Abney and the mural project?

I liked how she wasn't mean and she would stop and answer questions even when she was so close to her deadline.

Did working with Nina Chanel Abney change the way you think about art?

No because it is very hard to change my mind.

Do you have your ArtReach artwork hung up at home?  Is it hung somewhere else?

It is not at home but it is in the art gallery downstairs. 

What was your favorite part of the fieldtrip to the Corcoran Gallery of Art?

Seeing the huge 40 foot paintings.

What part of your experience with the ArtReach program are you most proud of?

How much I have improved. 

What would you tell a friend about the ArtReach program? 

That if you can color/sketch all day, this is the place for you.

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Malik, 13 years old, 7th grade

Malik has been in the program for 6 years.  He joined ArtReach in 2005.

What is your favorite medium to work with and how would you describe your style? 

Acrylic. Cartooning is my style

What are three things you like most about the ArtReach program?

Working with others people such as students & teachers. Learning about different artists and working on various projects. Having exposure to the historic Corcoran museum and having my art exhibit every year.

What did you like about working with Nina Chanel Abney and the mural project?

Great opportunity learning her style and her giving feed back on how to be a successful artist.

Did working with Nina Chanel Abney change the way you think about art? 

No, but she did influence me if you work hard enough and believe in yourself that you can achieve your dreams/goals.

Do you have your ArtReach artwork hung up at home?  Is it hung somewhere else? 

Yes, also the former Director Paul Greenhalgh brought a painting of mine and took it to Europe with him.

What was your favorite part of the fieldtrip to the Corcoran Gallery of Art? 

Seeing other artist work and different styles of art.

What part of your experience with the ArtReach program are you most proud of?  

That the Former Director Paul Greenhalgh was inspired by my painting and felt compelled to purchase it at a nice price

What would you tell a friend about the ArtReach program?  

That it's a great program, they will learn so much and get lots of exposure as an artist.

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“I like art because it can take you anywhere.  However you’re feeling you can express yourself.” – Kayla

Kayla, Age 14, Ninth Grade
Kayla has been in the ArtReach program for 3 years.

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Amina, Age 13, Grade 8

Amina has been in the program for three years. She began in 2009. 

What is your favorite medium to work with and how would you describe your style?

I like to sketch and sometimes fill the picture with watercolor. I would describe my style as kind of cute and neat (sometimes) and also small. 

What are three things you like most about the ArtReach program?

I like how they teach us different styles and techniques with painting and drawing. 
They let us express ourselves through our pictures.
We are always having fun.

What did you like about working with Nina Channel Abney and the mural project?

I liked the fact that they gave us random partners (at THEARC) to paint and draw for, that’s what makes it feel like a challenge. 

Did working with Nina Chanel Abney change the way you think about art?

I still think the same way but there were some changes in style and form. For example, while painting, the art leaked down the wall. It looked much cooler. 

Do you have your ArtReach artwork hung up at home? Is it hung somewhere else?

No. 

What was your favorite part of the fieldtrip to the Corcoran Gallery of Art?

My favorite part was seeing the black mural (by Kara Walker) that went across the wall in sequence. 

What part of your experience with the ArtReach program are you most proud of?

Finding a new way to create things by using one thing and slashing it with another, like a crossover. 

What would you tell a friend about the ArtReach program?

I would tell them that we are always learning new things and we have fun. 

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