Art in Action: See What Art Can Do! Celebrate the Work of Milwaukee’s Youth
Safe & Sound, Inc. together with its collaborating partners – WCS-Project Excel and ArtWorks for Milwaukee – unveiled the first in a series of anti-violence t-shirts designed and produced by youth working as artist apprentices. The t-shirts were revealed at a party celebrating what art can do, and showcasing the important missions of these local agencies.
Art In Action: See What Art Can Do! took place on June 12, 2009 at the Water Street Garage, which houses the main offices and art gallery for ArtWorks. The event featured an auction of pieces created through other programs of ArtWorks and Safe & Sound, and included a rap performance by young people from the John C. Cudahy YMCA, another of Safe & Sound’s Safe Places for youth, live music by Frankie LaCoste, a raffle with a wide variety of amazing prizes and an Interactive Art Activity that all attendees were encouraged to participate in. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks were served on ArtWorks’ patio overlooking Milwaukee’s beautiful river at this event to remember.
The event was also a fundraiser for ArtWorks for Milwaukee and Safe & Sound, Inc. Proceeds are used to support ArtWorks for Milwaukee’s mission to provide meaningful employment to Milwaukee area ‘at-risk’ local youth. High school students with and without disabilities are recruited to work as paid Apprentice Artists under the guidance of professional Lead Artists from our community. The valuable soft job skills training program administered by ArtWorks teaches employability skills that students take with them as they enter our area workforce.
Project Excel is a program of Wisconsin Community Services, and joined Safe & Sound’s family of Safe Places in 2008 to target youth who are at risk of involvement in or involved in gangs. Project Excel also offers a day treatment program for troubled youth.
Safe & Sound helps build safer neighborhoods by mobilizing resources within high crime communities to benefit youth and families.
For more information on ArtWorks for Milwaukee and future programs, please visit: ArtWorks for Milwaukee
