Metro Arts Program enhances the Quad Cities with youth art projects

​The 2022 Quad City Arts Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program is underway and  providing over forty area youth ages 15-21 with a five-week paid summer apprenticeship. These apprentices are creating art that positively impact our community including projects in mural painting, graphic design, film, and poetry. These projects were made possible through support from Black Hawk College, Downtown Davenport Partnership, Modern Woodman of America, and Chris and Mary Rayburn.

Two new murals are coming to Davenport at the intersection of 4th and Pershing lead by lead artists Sarah Robb and Heidi Sallows. These murals were designed by the apprentices who wanted to highlight the diversity in our communities. One mural depicts an indigenous person from the Sac and Fox tribe, and the other showcases cultures through the fabrics and patterns they wear. In Rock Island, Modern Woodmen of America will have a new mural outside of their Print Shop and Mail Distribution Office that highlights historical aspects of their history, as well as its relationship to Rock Island and the river.
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​The Graphic Design program is a partnership with Black Hawk College and meets at the college with lead artist and BHC faculty member, Annie Oldenburg. This program teaches elements of graphic design and will culminate with a vinyl window art project on a building in Downtown Rock Island, that location will be announced later.

Film is lead by Jonathan Burnett an independent filmmaker and educator. Burnett is also the Creator, Director, and Lead Instructor of the Urban Exposure Independent Film Program through Azubuike African American Council for the Arts. This program teaches students the basics of filmmaking culminating with the creation of a short film the apprentices will have written, filmed, and edited.
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Poetry is lead by emcee, poet, author, and educator, Aubrey “Aubs.” Barnes. Barnes most recently published book titled “It is Good, It is Written.”  is available now. Apprentices are learning how to write poetry and the many mechanisms used to do so, as well as poetry’s intersection with music and culture. Apprentices periodically present their work throughout the program at community sites including coffee shops and libraries.
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This year’s program started on June 6 and will be completed on July 8.

The program will end with a final showcase held in Arts Alley in Rock Island at 6 PM on July 8th. Attendees will hear from apprentices and lead artists about their projects, be the first to see the short film, and hear poetry. This event is open to all. 
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​About the Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program

Since the summer of 2000, Metro Arts has provided area youth 15-21 years old with paid summer apprenticeships in various arts disciplines.

For five weeks, area youth work together in groups to complete projects that enhance the community through the arts. Participants learn the artistic techniques and applications of their genre while developing personally and professionally.

This program allows young adults to build career and artistic skills, as they work under the supervision and mentorship of professional artists. Their mentors are accomplished, local artists who are passionate about teaching and encouraging creativity.
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About Quad City Arts
Quad City Arts is a nonprofit local arts agency dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts. Quad City Arts programs are funded in part by Festival of Trees, Quad City Arts Partners, and operating grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, and the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
 
If you would like to interview the Lead Artists or the Apprentices please contact Kevin Maynard ([email protected] or 309.793.1213x101) and he can provide you a work schedule.