2022 “Urban Art Bike” Summer Workshop (Cont.)
By DeAsia Powell,
Communications Assistant Intern
Introduction
In this year’s Urban Artbike Workshop with local youth organization, Reach One Teach One, boys between the ages of 10 - 15 constructed a “Gaming Station” themed bike in under forty hours. Over the course of ten days, Chistian Phillips created the team name, “Walanda Forever”; and Woodmoore Art Teacher, Robbin Jaglinski, and Industrial design intern of University of Houston, Ivan Warren, assisted the boys in using their teamwork skills and various engineering methods as they faced obstacles along the way!
Participants
Of Reach One Teach One, Christopher Small, Keon Franklin, Christian Phillips, and Mikel Fueget - Grayson and their “Gaming Station Bike”.
Mikel Fueget - Grayson
Mikel Fueget-Grayson is an 11 year old from Chattanooga, TN. He joined Urban Art Bike to try something new, and wanted to leave with knowledge of putting bikes together! In Mikel’s free time he loves playing video games, and aspires to be a Police officer when he grows up!
Christopher Small
Small, a 12 year-old sixth grader from Chattanooga joined Urban Art Bike wanting to have fun and make something new. In his free time he plays basketball and video games. Christopher says, “I will destroy anyone who comes for me in Call of Duty–it’s the only game I play!” When he grows up, he wants to be an NBA player
Keon Franklin
Franklin is also from Chattanooga, TN. He joined Urban Art Bike at age 13 because he was looking for fun and wanted to acquire new building skills. Keon is energetic, and plays games in his free time. He wants to be a police officer or engage in some type of law enforcement when he grows up
Christian Phillips
Christian Phillips, of Denver, is 14 years old. He joined Urban Art Bike because it sounded interesting and he wanted to learn how to change bike tires. In his free time Christian likes to skateboard. He also likes to solve puzzles saying “I can solve a Rubik's cube in 10 seconds!” He aspires to be a marine and engineer when he grows up.
Day 5 - 7: Instruction Days
Throughout the first three days of the workshop, the kids were instructed on: use of equipment, safety protocols, and given a tour of ChattLab Makerspace! In the maker space, they were introduced to complex equipment such as 3D printers, a wood shop, a metal shop, a laser cutter, and more. They also were taught how to weld and grind metal in preparation for making their art bike using scraps of metal! During the brainstorming process; Ms. Robbin’s “Wakanda Forever” team came up with a “gaming station” bike; It would be decked with an old gaming console, controllers, speakers, placed on an old desk or piece of wood at the front of the bike!
Days 8 - 14: Construction, assembling, and Finalizing
The team worked efficiently, tearing bikes apart for their design, welding those parts on new bikes, grinding away paint, and welding new metal to create new structures for their design! One day, after reevaluating their bike, they found out that in order to implement the gaming design on any bike, they would need a “quadra - bike” or regular bike with two extra back wheels to support the weight in the back. Sort of like training wheels.
Acquired New Skills
In some situations, the boys learned professionalism skills and the experience of a business-like environment! For example: when the bike construction began, the boys were tasked with calling around to repair shops, resale shops, and electronic stores–like Best Buy–in search of an old console! The team scripted and rehearsed their professional conversation before contacting potential providers. Ms. Jaglinski says, “You have to sell the program, tell them what’s going on and what we’re asking for! And be respectful when you’re talking to other companies!”
The art bike boys map out possible new bike design
Team and students plan new engineering methods together.
Another scenario enforced teamwork and innovative methods! When the workshop team were down to their last days, they began splitting into teams to be more efficient with their time. Ivan’s team would weld parts to the frame of the bike; while Ms. Robin’s team would prepare and grind possible new parts for the bike. The few boys who weren’t in the workshop worked on the actual “gaming desk”; they were drilling holes into the old speakers, replacing wood for the desktop so it would withstand the weight of gaming objects, and working together to figure out how to attach the computer, mouse, keyboard, etc. to the desk efficiently.
Faced Challenges Along the Way!
Throughout the construction process, plans and bike construction were switched multiple times. First, the team switched bikes on Day 8 and took it apart to figure out placement of design, and went to work!
Then, In the final days of actually assembling the bike, the team overcame obstacles such as struggling to get the picture for the “gaming screen” that would be on the computer and having to switch bikes on the last day. As executive director Late Warren Mikel worked on replacing the bike chain, they discovered the main frame wouldn’t support the seat and back tires; because the frame wasn’t steel and wouldn’t support the overall design! So, they quickly collected a steel bike with a sustainable chain and began welding their back tire assembly, gaming chair, and front desk onto it!
The Impact - from a students’ Perspective!
In a quick interview, Christian Phillips explains his experience at the “Urban Artbike” Program and how it has impacted him
AND THE FINALE….. CYCLEDELIC!!!!
CycleDelic is an annual downtown Chattanooga bike parade that celebrates During the parade riders and creators roller skate and ride bikes down Brad’s street and show off all their authenticity and art to the sound of the best summer hits!
Art120 Team decorates and spray paints Art Bilee’s hours before event!
Art 120 and their team finalized all construction and decoration on two art bikes (“Skull Bike”, and “game bike”) for the parade that night!
During the parade, the art bikes were exhibited and causally driven up and down the street; as visitors and fellow riders applauded the students’ creativity! One of the students, Christopher Smalls, showed up with his parents, representing the “Reach One Teach One” program!
In conclusion, the Urban Art Bike workshop was a total success and left a positive impact on our kids. You can look forward to seeing them in public events around Chattanooga such as Mainx24.
Special Thanks to….
Thanks to the people and organizations of: Reach One Teach One, and The Tennessee Arts Commission,
