Our Stories - Arts for Learning Virginia

Free Family-Friendly Art Series in Hampton

July 7, 2024 By Cindy Sherwood

Utpalasia
Taikoza
Katherine Willet helps children with take-home art.
Curtis Blues
Storyteller Via Goode
Stephanie Lask's Take-Home Poems workshop
Nathan Richardson as Frederick Douglass
Art Song Duo
Rainbow Puppet Productions
Storyteller Dylan Pritchard
Rita Cohen
Harold Wood
Storyteller and actor Valerie Davis

It’s almost time for our favorite family art series, designed especially for the summer! A Splash of the Arts kicks off this Saturday, July 13 from 10am to 4pm at the Hampton History Museum. Admission is free! And this Saturday is just the start—you can enjoy “Splash” on July 20 and July 27 too. With no-repeat programming, be sure to visit all three Saturdays when you’ll have the chance to interact with Arts for Learning’s professional performing and teaching artists.

“Each year Splash of the Arts is the highlight of our summer,” says Aisha Noel, Arts for Learning’s Programs and Community Engagement Manager. “It’s a great way for the community to come together to enjoy learning for the whole family, engage in interactive programs from our artists, and leave with a feeling of togetherness.”

This is the third year Hampton City Schools Fine Arts Department has sponsored A Splash of the Arts, school-age programming that showcases summer learning by Arts for Learning’s musicians, dancers, storytellers, and visual artists.

“A Splash of the Arts is an extension of our elementary arts and literacy program,” says Kelly Dee, Hampton City School’s Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Leader. “We bring Arts for Learning into the schools every year for performances that our students may not have the opportunity to see and hear, and it was a natural growth of what we do in the schools to extend it into summer learning and invite the community to come out and see performances during the summer.”

In addition to being free family entertainment, the educational aspect of “Splash” is paramount.

Arts for Learning is the premier partner to bring in high quality arts performances for our students,” Dee says. “The connections to all areas of learning—math, language arts, social studies, even science—are always present in any performance that we either bring in the school or do in the summer as well.”

So don’t miss this year’s outstanding lineup of artists—as Dee says, “The performances keep on getting better and better and better!”

Here’s a week-by-week breakdown of what you’ll see:

July 13: Move to the Filipino “Dance of the Duck;” celebrate African American history with Frederick Douglass; listen to instruments from around the world; learn the hidden meanings of traditional slave tales; experience spoken word poetry combined with live music; be awed by colorful Rainbow Puppets; or make your own puppets to take home.

July 20: Experience the thunderous rhythms of Japanese taiko drums; listen to classic stories from Mark Twain; sail the Caribbean Sea on the waves of steel drums; step into the world of improvisational theater; explore the impact of music on mental health; dance, sing, and clap to musical stories about friendship; and write and illustrate your own poems to take home.

July 27: Fall under the spell of a tricky magician; explore the legends of Mount Everest through dance and music; laugh out loud to multicultural folktales; be inspired by a powerful story of escape to freedom; get up and dance across the continents; and create your own take-home bookmark or mixed media work of art.

“We’re excited to bring 24 different performances and hands-on workshops by professional artists at no cost to attendees,” Noel says. “We can’t wait for the community to experience different cultures, create take home artwork, and enjoy some good family fun. See you soon at the Hampton History Museum.”

Check out the full schedule of activities and performances here: https://sites.google.com/hampton.k12.va.us/familyarts/home

The Hampton History Museum is located at 120 Old Hampton Lane in Downtown Hampton. There’s free parking in the garage across the street from the museum and there’s no admission fee to the museum during Splash. Snacks will be available in the Great Hall for children and teens 18 and under, while supplies last.

(Almost) Full Circle: Dylan Pritchett Returns to the Hennage Stage at Colonial Williamsburg

May 30, 2024 By Cindy Sherwood

Of the thousands—or more likely tens of thousands—of times Dylan Pritchett has performed as a professional storyteller, his upcoming program at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg is sure to be among the most meaningful. A native of Williamsburg, Dylan returns to the Hennage Stage on June 13, decades after he helped develop and perform Colonial Williamsburg’s first programming focused on African American history.

“What we started could be looked at as the root for all of the fruit that has come forward.”

As Dylan puts it, he’s only had one employer in his life—Colonial Williamsburg, where he started as a member of the Fife and Drum Corps at age 13 and continued past high school and during summers while off from Hampton University. He then accepted a full-time administrative job at Fife and Drum, while continuing to instruct Corps members.

But in 1984, a new phase of Dylan’s career began when his position transitioned to a role in CW’s first African American programming department as an Interpretive Program Specialist. His duties were broader than the title implies. In addition to performing programs at the Hennage and in other places at Colonial Williamsburg—telling stories that illuminated the lives of enslaved children and adults—Dylan wrote programming and supervised other staff members of the African American department.

During his time performing on the Hennage Stage and elsewhere around Colonial Williamsburg, Dylan grew as a storyteller.

“The Hennage gave me a platform to try out new stories… it gave me an audience, it gave me practice to hone my storytelling skills.”

Around that time, Colonial Williamsburg began outreach programs to schools. That’s when Dylan saw an opportunity and began exploring his next career move. After taking a leave of absence for a year to make sure he could support his family, Dylan became a professional storyteller in 1990, performing in more than 100 schools per year, including in areas of rural Virginia.

“It was a time when that was a novelty. For assemblies you had the clown that comes in for the kids and you got the magician and puppeteer. And here’s this guy who tells African American stories. It’s like, wow. And to be real honest, I went into a lot of places where I was probably the only Black performer they had ever seen, of any genre. That meant a lot.”

A later partnership with the Kennedy Center took him all over the country, using his storytelling techniques to do workshops and performances to train educators. And his storytelling was again a novelty in many places. He recalls visiting New Castle, Wyoming—”three hours from nowhere”—and the educator liaison telling him, “These people have never seen a Black person in person. I said, ‘Whaaaaat?’ He said, ‘Yeah, they’ve seen Black people on TV, but they’ve never seen a Black person in person.’”

When Dylan joined Young Audiences/Arts for Learning Virginia, he was able to cut down on travel and perform primarily in Hampton Roads. He remains one of A4L’s most booked artists. Last year, he was also among a select group of artists to become credentialed as a teaching artist for A4L’s new affiliation as Coastal Virginia Wolf Trap.

Thinking about his upcoming program at the Hennage brings back some powerful memories for Dylan. He recalls performing at a festival where he and other storytellers split their program between the Williamsburg Theater and the Hennage Auditorium. It was the first time he’d ever done a program at the theater, a place where both he and his father had worked.

“My father was a custodian at the Williamsburg Theater who passed away in 1977 after I had just graduated from high school,” Dylan says. “I mentioned on the stage that my father was a custodian there, that I was an usher and had spent a lot time at the theater when we showed movies, and that was a moment. And going back to the Hennage is probably such a moment.”

You can see Dylan on Thursday, June 13 at 5:30 pm inside the Hennage Auditorium at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. This is a free, family-friendly program underwritten by the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts. No admission ticket is required for the museum.

“I’ve been thinking about what stories to tell and I think I’m going to do a little hodgepodge. A little bit of what I used to tell there and some stuff I never had. It’s kind of like full circle, but I hope it doesn’t complete the circle because I want to be around to go back later on too.”

In Their Own Words: IDEAL Residency Students Express What They’ve Learned

May 14, 2024 By Cindy Sherwood

Year two of our unique IDEAL after-school residency wrapped up May 9th with a fantastic student showcase, art exhibit, and reception for family and friends at the Chrysler Museum of Art. What a joy to witness the faces of students as they first saw their artwork displayed in the gallery…. and how gratifying to hear what they learned during their ten-week exploration of self-identity through poetry, music, and visual art.

Douglass Park Elementary, Portsmouth

Cameron: “It’s fun being an artist. Whatever you make is good. It’s a masterpiece. You can make anything, and it will still be a piece of artwork. If I accidentally make something bad, I can change it to something else good. I’ve learned from my mistakes.”

Serenity: “I learned I can do art. It’s great. It’s peaceful. When you draw, everything around you is so quiet. I’ve become nicer as a person. I didn’t usually help people, but now I really help people with stuff.”

Inaliyah: “I’ve learned more about who I am and what I want to become. I want to become an artist because I want to tell people how I feel through art. My teachers taught me how to make things more expressive. I think my mind has grown more and my ability to understand others.”

Point O’View Elementary, Virginia Beach

Hayden: “I’ve learned more about myself and my feelings and my identity. I’ve learned that I can express myself through art. I think I’m more confident. I’m able to make new friends more easily now.”

Walter: “The best part of this program is that we tried doing different things, things that we don’t always try. And I feel like I learned more trust in people.”

Jack: “I’ve learned that I can express myself through art and I could draw what I feel and I could have different feelings in my art. As an artist I’ve learned different skills about how to draw. I feel very proud of myself because I did exceptional in my art piece and I’m just very happy [about it being shown at the Chrysler.]”

Southside STEM Academy at Campostella, Norfolk

Jaela: “The art that I created showed me that even if I feel bad, I can be creative. I feel I can be more confident now and more friendly to others. I used to be really shy.”

Mauriyana: “I think I’ve grown more as a person and an artist. My art style is different and the way I communicate is better. I communicate better if I’m comfortable around people. We spoke aloud on how we made our art and how our art helped us and that made me more comfortable communicating.”

Many thanks to Justin C. Mitchell of JB Digital Photography for the wonderful photos.

You can view the IDEAL students’ artwork through June 9 at the Margaret Shepherd Ray Student and Family Gallery at the Chrysler. Admission and parking are free.

An IDEAL Learning Experience for Both Students and a New College Graduate

May 8, 2024 By Cindy Sherwood

The Margaret Shepherd Ray Student and Family Gallery at the Chrysler Museum of Art, which is displaying IDEAL students' artwork through June 9. — The Margaret Shepherd Ray Student and Family Gallery at the Chrysler Museum is displaying IDEAL students’ artwork through June 9.

On Thursday, May 9, the upper elementary students participating in the second year of our IDEAL (Intentional Designs of Expression in Artistic Languages) after-school residency will gather at the Chrysler Museum of Art, sharing their artwork with family and friends in a collaborative exhibit. Participating students came from three elementary schools in three school divisions: Douglass Park in Portsmouth, Point O’View in Virginia Beach, and Southside STEM Academy in Norfolk.

Brandy guides a student while working as a teaching artist at Portsmouth's Douglass Park Elementary. — Brandy guides a student while working as a teaching artist at Portsmouth’s Douglass Park Elementary.

Of the seven teaching artists who have guided students through this residency, there’s one who has learned a great deal herself, gaining valuable experience working with children, shortly after graduating from Norfolk State University.

Brandy Lee started as an Emerging Teaching Artist in the fall, learning various aspects about a career in arts education. Through a partnership with area colleges, Arts for Learning staff members and artists on our roster mentor student artists on classroom management, program development with curriculum preparation, and arts administration practices.

Simone Couther is an Emerging Teaching Artist with Arts for Learning Virginia.

Simone Couther was also named an Emerging Teaching Artist last fall and continues her journey through the program.

Brandy shows her artwork at the James Wise Gallery at Norfolk State.

Brandy, who lives in Virginia Beach, is a mixed media artist. As part of her Fine Arts major, she was required to throw her own art show, along with other NSU seniors. She graduated in December.

As an Emerging Teaching Artist, Brandy credits Aisha Noel, Arts for Learning’s Programs and Community Engagement Manager, for “showing her the ropes.”

“I was very new. I knew that I wanted to teach kids art, and Aisha was there to show me expectations of what I needed to do.”

Brandy working with IDEAL participants in Portsmouth. — Brandy works with IDEAL participants in Portsmouth.

The Emerging Teaching Artist program also benefits Arts for Learning. “It’s a great avenue for helping college students explore post-graduation careers in a supportive and artistic setting,” Aisha says. “I think it’s mutually beneficial—we help the students navigate that scary period between college and the real world, and the students help our organization remain youthful and relevant.”

In February, Brandy began working with students participating in IDEAL at Douglass Park Elementary. Along with teaching artist Tabetha McNeal, Brandy guided students as they explored the question of identity through various forms of visual art, music, and poetry.

Brandy helps a student in the IDEAL residency.

“One thing that was very obvious to me as an Emerging Teaching Artist was that I can’t hold students to the same expectation as those in college or high school,” Brandy says. “They’re just learning how to do these things so you have to learn patience. You have to teach them in the very beginning about techniques and you have to think about, is this student actually interested in art, and if so, how am I going to teach them as they begin their adventure as an artist?”

Brandy calls the IDEAL residency “significant” to children who come from many different backgrounds. “It helps them push the boundaries of what they can really do. In IDEAL, we’re teaching kids identity through pattern, so they can establish their own identity, they can recognize their own identity. I feel that’s pivotal to them, and I’m grateful to be there and help them do that.”

And we’re grateful to Brandy, Tabetha, and the other IDEAL residency teaching artists: Asiko-oluwa Aderin, Jackie Adonis, Cindy Aitken, Jennifer Graham, and Dai Poole, plus Gary “JuJu” Garlic, who taught the music portion of the program for all three schools. Thank you also to the residency stewards from each school.

Student paintings are ready for viewing at the Chrysler Museum of Art.

From now through June 9, you can view the collaborative art exhibit in the Margaret Shepherd Ray Student and Family Gallery at the Chrysler Museum. Art work created by the students who participated in IDEAL is professionally displayed and open to the public. Click here for more details.

Asiko-oluwa Aderin at her art show in April 2024. Photo credit: Silas Morgan

The first student to complete our Emerging Teaching Artist program and join our roster of teaching artists was Asiko-oluwa Aderin. Asiko graduated from Norfolk State University on May 4 with a major in Fine Arts and a concentration in Graphic Design. We’re so proud of Asiko, and we wish her all the best as she pursues her artistic career.

Drawing Upon the Power of Community

April 17, 2024 By Cindy Sherwood

Roberta Lea is both a performing artist at Arts for Learning and a teaching artist. She’s specially trained as one of our Coastal Virginia Wolf Trap Teaching Artists who works in the classroom with young learners. Her performing career has hit high notes recently, both as an individual singer/songwriter and as part of the Black Opry, which was recently featured in this Washington Post article. Our partner, Wolf Trap Education, sat down with Roberta and talked with her about her interest in music education and her artistic inspirations.

Roberta Lea Discusses the Intersection Between Music and Education

There is an African proverb that neo-pop-country singer/songwriter Roberta Lea lives by: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Roberta, who was named one of Country Music Television’s Next Women in Country in 2023, chooses to surround herself with people who nurture her creativity and give her a strong sense of belonging. She believes that the support she has experienced from her community has helped shape her life’s work. Community, she says, is “the key to success.”

Like most artists, Roberta, who grew up in Norfolk, fell in love with music early on, but she also felt a calling to work with young people. After spending several years as a high school Spanish teacher, she recorded her first country-pop project in 2021 and committed to a full-time country music career. But she never forgot her love of teaching. It’s what led her to sign on as a teaching artist with Coastal Virginia Wolf Trap, a program of Arts for Learning Virginia, and today, she shares her love of music both on stage and in Norfolk-area classrooms.

Roberta performed with Black Opry Revue at The Barns at Wolf Trap on March 29. Below, Roberta discusses why the connection between an artist and their community is vital, and how she combines her love of music with her talent for working with children and teachers in the classroom.

Wolf Trap (WT): Share a little about your background. Who are your artistic inspirations?

Roberta Lea (RL): I grew up with a very diverse musical palate. My parents were heavy on smooth jazz and R&B and my mom [loved] to play Gospel music on Sunday mornings. My sisters’ music tastes were on two completely different ends of the spectrum with one leaning heavily into the likes of Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morrissette, and Jewel, while the other was a big fan of ’90s Hip Hop like Tupac and Foxy Brown. I found myself drowning in the soup of all that influence.

My biggest inspirations are Bill Withers, Tina Turner, Shania Twain, and Tracy Chapman. They all represent the idea of pursuing music on one’s own terms and defining success for themselves. As songwriters, their catalogs are completely timeless. That’s the kind of legacy I want to leave behind: good, timeless music.

WT: What made you want to return to education as a teaching artist with Coastal Virginia Wolf Trap, after transitioning full-time to music during the pandemic?

RL: I enjoy being able to inspire the younger generation because creativity is just as important as core curriculum like math and sciences. When the opportunity to teach my passion in a classroom setting was presented, it was a no-brainer.

I also feel this need to stay connected to my local community as much as possible. Traveling the world and walking red carpets can create a disconnect between artists and the communities they’re serving with their music. I’m very intentional about keeping my feet on the local ground.

WT: Why is it important to you to be a member of Black Opry?

RL: The Black Opry represents a movement in the arts for [marginalized] communities to reclaim their space, wherever it may be. To be a member is to be a part of that conversation and a positive change in that narrative.

The synergy and encouragement that Black Opry has provided for me have been pivotal to my growth and success. Being a part of this collective gave me some much-needed confidence to step forward with my gift, grow at my own pace, and gain experience without pressure, debt, or signing my life away. The Black Opry simply said I was enough.

WT: Part of Black Opry’s mission is to bring visibility to Black country musicians, professionals, and fans. Do you think themes like identity are important to bring into classrooms?

RL: The role of the classroom—as well as parents—is to equip each child with the education, principles, and tools they need to become productive citizens of any given community. In general, most of those elements are extremely uniform. All children are going to learn the same basic lessons and be expected to follow the same rules. Their identity is the only unique aspect they get to bring to the table, and each child should be equipped with the confidence that their unique perspective plays a critical role in the functioning of society.

WT: How do you honor the local community in your work?

RL: My identity as a Black artist, a Virginian, a wife, a mother, and a sister color my songwriting. If there was one aspect of my life that was different, the songs I write would probably sing a different tune. I’ve learned to take pride in those aspects of my identity and honor those in my work. The first track on my new album is called “Somewhere in the Tide.” It is an ode to Virginia’s geographic, historic, political, and social diversity. History and humanity can be complicated but I’ll always be proud of who I am and where I’m from, and it will always show up in a song.

To learn more about Roberta Lea and the programs she offers for Arts for Learning, visit https://arts4learningva.org/artist/roberta-lea/. Her personal website can be found at iamrobertalea.com/.

Free Family-Friendly Art Series in Hampton

(Almost) Full Circle: Dylan Pritchett Returns to the Hennage Stage at Colonial Williamsburg

In Their Own Words: IDEAL Residency Students Express What They’ve Learned

An IDEAL Learning Experience for Both Students and a New College Graduate

Drawing Upon the Power of Community

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