Art in Action: Make a Statement, Change Your World

by Matthew "Levee" Chavez

Overview

In the days leading up to and following the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, artist Matthew "Levee" Chavez arrived at the Union Square subway station and passed out blank sticky notes, urging New Yorkers to express themselves. As the notes were posted to the wall, a colorful and moving collage emerged that reflected the city's rich and diverse personal responses to a divisive moment in history. In that moment, art and activism united a community. In this DIY guide, Chavez shows young readers how to create their very own art projects with a purpose. Young artists will be inspired to share their own perspectives and make a difference in their own worlds-from their homes to schools to neighborhoods and the whole broader world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681197562
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	09/11/2018
Pages:	112
Sales rank:	1,262,052
Product dimensions:	5.77(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.58(d)
Age Range:	10 - 12 Years

About the Author

Matthew "Levee" Chavez is the creator of Subway Therapy, an ongoing immersive project at the Union Square subway station in Manhattan. A believer in the therapeutic power of communication and providing people with an opportunity to engage, he has worked in crisis management and education in a variety of different roles, including at a magnet school for students with autism. He is a natural born listener—strangers have always talked to him on buses, trains, subways, and planes, and sidewalks. He lives in Brooklyn.

www.subwaytherapy.com

@subwaytherapy

Editorial Reviews

A change in perspective about what art can be and an exhortation to undertake projects with a purpose.” —Kirkus Reviews

“. . . will speak volumes to creative individuals yearning for wider audiences.” —Booklist

“A timely addition to crafting and bibliotherapy collections for middle grade readers.” —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

08/01/2018
Gr 4–7—In 2016, Chavez set up a table and chairs in a New York City subway station, and encouraged people to share their thoughts, hopes, and fears on sticky notes, which he posted on the wall of the station. This became "Subway Therapy," an interactive art installation that the artist used to help people connect, especially during times of national tragedy and division. This book provides kids with ideas and suggestions on how to create their own world-changing art. Projects are organized by location: crafts that can be done with family, at school, and in the community. The suggested activities include interviewing family members, handing out appreciation tokens to friends and classmates, taking photographs of community members at a local coffee shop, and more. Each project emphasizes the importance of having a dialogue with others. Difficulty rankings from one to five and sidebars accompany each prompt. VERDICT A timely addition to crafting and bibliotherapy collections for middle grade readers.—Ashley Larsen, Pacifica Libraries, CA

School Library Journal

2018-06-11
A children's guide to doing projects with a purpose in the home, school, or community.Author Chavez, the creator of Subway Therapy, offers a guide for kids who want to make art with purpose, to make a statement, or to start change. Writing conversationally, he begins with his own story of Subway Therapy and his motivation for making a difference. He puts into perspective what it means to be an artist and what art is. Encouraging readers to think about who they are as artists in new ways—maybe they'd rather think of themselves as scientists, creators, or change-makers—he gives tips and advice on creativity, passions, and discovering a cause. In the following chapters, he describes examples of different projects and how they can be executed in homes, schools, and neighborhoods. The projects range from talking to family members and making a family tree to going out into the community and setting up a photo booth to capture portraits of people. Chavez gives tips on how to reach strangers and share projects online safely. Specific projects are laid out in numbered steps with lists of necessary materials and/or equipment along with abundant encouragement to experiment and have fun. Sometimes the language used feels dated, and the chapters on projects at home are not inclusive of those who may not have a family or steady home life.A change in perspective about what art can be and an exhortation to undertake projects with a purpose. (Nonfiction. 9-13)

Kirkus Reviews

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