Art 120’s 2022 “Urban Art Bike” Teacher Training
By DeAsia Powell, Communications Assistant Intern
Introduction
Art 120’s Stingray bile under construction
In Art120’s Urban Art Bike workshop, kids of the “Reach One Teach One” program, ages 10 - 14, they will experience the task of creating a full function art themed bike. This will take place in over under 40 hours in a makerspace filled with high tech art equipment such as grinders, laser cutters, a wood workshop, and much more! They will be broken into two groups instructed by one Hamilton County Art Teacher each!
They will discuss and face the challenge of thinking about the bikes’ function; ensuring that added crafts don’t weigh down the bike defeating its purpose of function - BUT… still representing authenticity and creativity! Through these tasks, teachers and directors will be discussing engineering and innovation methods; as well as assessing kids’ levels of teamwork ethic, observation/learning styles, creativity, and artistic skills through a county wide graded rubric! Beforehand, teachers and directors will also gather to construct a bike themselves!
Teachers and Interns of Art120
Meet The Team
Kathryn Warren (Director and Teacher Workshop Lead
After founding Art120 in 2010, Kate Warren made it her mission to use her 20 years of experience in graphic design, marketing, events, and other mediums to create non-profit art educational programs. She did so with the purpose of connecting people
with different backgrounds and art experiences! She wants to empower people and kids to embrace creativity and expand their art horizon. She believes everyone deserves to find their inner strength!
Sherry Heinz (Art Teacher of Howard High School)
Sherry Heinz, of New Jersey, Is a Hamilton County Teacher of 13 years. She joined Art120 with the ambition of acquiring welding lessons to potentially use in the classroom. She wants to leave a deep impact of students saying, “I want them to be so on fire when they walk out of the room that they pursue what I left them hungry for!”
Robin Jaglinski (Art Teacher of Woodmore Elementary)
Robin Jaglinski, of Wisconsin, has taught art in every form over the course of 15 years. This was done via international and national schools, museums, parks, etc. She is currently teaching at Woodmore Elementary School and joined Art120 with the love of being involved in the community, and learning in a non - traditional setting! She wishes to impact students by teaching them applicable skills for their futures!
Ivan Warren (Industrial Design Intern)
Ivan Warren, of Hutson TX, is a senior at the University of Houston. He is an Art120 industrial design intern, and college student. He’s passionate in all things creative with a goal of sharing his design knowledge to help others accomplish their visions with creativity at Art120!
Laila Smith (Intern Communications Manager)
Laila Smith, of Chattanooga, is an Art120 communications intern of 5 years; she is in her final year at Warren Wilson College and will graduate in 2023 with a major in creative writing. With an interest in fiction writing and published works, she plans to get a career in journalism and/or professional editing in the future!
DeAsia Powell (Intern Communication Assistant)
DeAsia Powell, of Chattanooga, is a first year Art120 communications intern. She plans on attending Middle State Tennessee University with a major in animation and music production/business. She’s full of enthusiasm and loves interacting with others, and wants to attain experience and extended skills from her internship.
Day 1: Teacher Training
Art120’s Team Brainstorm Bike Designs
On the first day, after all organizers meet and introduce themselves, Art120’s director Kate Warren goes over the layout and schedule of the program, including rules, and safety protocols. She explains what teachers should look for in kids’ participation and also reads over rubrics and applications! In this discussion, teachers mention observation tactics and ideas. For example, during the brainstorming process, it would be beneficial to the kids’ ownership, team work, and creativity to voice ideas, draw & test prototypes, agree on one to two ideas, then begin creating on teams; whilst teachers observe their learning styles and ways of thinking!
Shortly after, she gives a tour of the space and explains the use of equipment!
Next, teachers brainstorm and negotiate ideas of bike designs and the materials needed! We came up with a jellyfish prototype with plastic material and a wide hoola-hoop with attached LED lights for the round head with gears for possible movements; followed by plastic bottles, plastic sheet material, or shiny coins and stars for the tentacles!
Day 2 & 3: Bike Construction and Documenting
Throughout the two days of construction, teachers and organizers got the chance to learn and practice welding; and safety/protective actions! They negotiated the use of materials brought in from the previous brainstorm and worked together, placing the wheels and steering wheel to the main bike frame via angle grinding rust and paint from former parts, welding parts together, etc. I got to speak with a few organizers during the construction: Ms. Robin detailed the construction of the “head” or base - she explained, “First I trace out the plastic circles, then I sew the two layers with an iron to seam it together, inverting the model (body prototype)! Circle goes to circle! We’re good!” On the other hand, Ivan grinds the paint off of an old steering wheel, with hopes of welding metal scraps to the sides to give it a “coral” look!
Director Kate Warren and Art Teacher Robbin Jagalinski work together to construct the frame of “Jellyfish body” !
My Experience
Intern DeAsia Powell welds for the first time!
As a communications assistant intern, I had the joy of picturing, videoing, and taking notes throughout this process, learning how to weld for the first time, and learning what Art120 has to offer to the community! It has inspired me to embrace my enter - talents and creativity to its fullest! It has also taught me how to advocate for myself and anything else profit/non - profit in the community!
To Be Continued….
In the next phase of the program, teachers will be working with the kids on safety protocol, instruction demo’s, brainstorming, and construction of their bikes! Stay tuned!
