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teaching artist: rachel allen

Classes: Oct 11 - Dec 14, 2019
Youth Artist Projects Exhibition: Jan 23 - March 21, 2020
With: Deborah Adebanjo, Savion Allen-Harding, Miguel Estrada, Manuel Fernández, Bernard Nina, and Simone Riley

Fall 2019 Artist-in-Residence Rachel Allen provided tools for Urbano’s youth to create place-worlds, or stories upon close examination of the land and their environment. Students were invited to choose a local location to research its recent and ancient history from a variety of facets, including municipal, social, geological, its current conditions through documentation, and just spending time there. Upon that investigation, they developed a story about this place based, and several guest storytellers assisted in the process. Story sharing happened during the exhibition through 1) oral tellings or performances and 2) creation of artist books. Students performed and distributed artist books in meaningful ways that involved their community. 

It was a delight to work with the Urbano students. I had never had the opportunity to work with a class of students of color, and we created a safe learning environment of trust with each other that was really special.
— Rachel Allen, 2020