EDUCATION

Contact aaacinfo@artspiral.org. or call 212.233.2154 / 917.923.8118.
Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri 12:30 - 6:30pm

STORIES OF CHINATOWN
The American public has little access to the history, perspective or personal stories of an Asian enclave. If Americans are to get to know each other, as E.B.Du Bois has counseled, these stories, as interpreted by the eyes of youth, can be an important asset in changing the lives of those who see it and particularly those who take part in realizing this project. The Arts Centre is part of the growing cultural infrastructure to ensure the efficacy and authenticity of this process.

The Asian American Arts Centre is the lead organization for "Stories of Chinatown," a long term project in collaboration with Elders Share the Arts. This will be the fifth year of this intergenerational project for 7th and 8th Graders, bringing Chinatown seniors together with high school youth to share their lives and stories, and together creating artwork on hand made clay tiles that they learn to fire and glaze. The goal of imparting a truly educational experience is complemented by infusing the gathered stories through the eyes of youth into a form that will present the unknown stories of New York's Chinatown on a permanent public wall. Ultimately over the years with many elders and youth participating, this accumulative wall art piece, guided and designed by participating teachers, artists, and a Feng Shui master, will become an attractive site for New Yorkers and visitors alike. It will generate local and city-wide interest and pride in the history and stories of Chinatown, and will promote the cultural life and economic growth of the area.

Stories & accompanying artwork:



Various other images:

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COOL CULTURE: Crafting The Teachable Moment

AAAC education programs will be featured at Cool Culture from 9am to 130pm on March 26 at South St Seaport called Crafting the Teachable Moment. Come and experience AAAC culturally diverse approach to art education. Or book a tour of AAAC gallery directly through aaainfo@artspiral.org

By encouraging an encounter with an art work in relation to one's own background, a viewer can become conscious of what is learned visually, intuitively. Doing this with young children for over a dozen years has demonstrated how diversity and visual games can be integrated seamlessly as a valid and enriching addition to education. You can become conscious of what is learned visually.

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SUNDAY CHILDREN ART CLASSES

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AAAC STEP-BY-STEP ART EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Step-by-Step method at the AAAC is a creative learning program of art concepts and techniques. It features use of an assortment of media such as pastel, pencil, crayon, watercolor, printmaking, collage, and clay. Classes are kept small and interactive. Basic fundamentals in drawing, watercolor, sumie ink etc. are taught as the children explore shapes, colors, lines, and image-making in specially selected themes.

The program for the older children focuses on portfolio-building with an emphasis on advanced techniques. The lesson plan for this age group is a systematic way to prepare for teenagers interested in entering specialized high schools. To further assist the students, individual personal instruction by the Centre's art educator and curator is available by special request.

For children under the age of ten, the Step-by-Step curriculum aims at providing the creative experience of learning art-making, a specially designed program to stimulate the students' creativity and capacity to explore their own artistic originality as well as understand their cultural background. Various materials and media will be introduced in structured art activities.

AAAC Art School Faculty: Chi Lee (School Administrator & Art Teacher), Angiola Churchill, Curriculum Consultant (Education Professor Emeritus NYU), Robert Lee (Director & Curator), Ling-Yi Chien (Curriculum Consultant; Teachers College, Columbia University)