Music Students

This video was taken last Friday. The clarinet player Jamil inspired me to write this out for the students. They only had the music for 10 minutes before I recorded them. Our students never stop amazing me with their musical talent. They just recently received their instruments.THAT MEANS THEY HAVE ONLY HAD A COUPLE LESSONS!!!!! WOW!!!!

Just another day at Memphis Street Academy. Orlando on trumpet, Zuriel on flute, Travonne on Drums, Eryk on guitar and Zion the rapper. It is such a pleasure mentoring these students. They bring such creativity and enthusiasm to the music program.

Philly Photo day Field Trip Dec 2012

Students looked through over 1800 entries to find their photos on display at The Crane Arts Center's Icebox Gallery. The students submitted photos taken on October 26, 2012 = Philly Photo Day and then had their work entered into possible exhibition on Septa buses trains and billboards around Philadelphia so far two people have seen our student's work on display this way! Keep your eyes open as you travel around the city, you may see some of their work! The first 12 photos are the pictures the students took for the exhibition, and the the last photos are from the day of the field trip. Good times had by all!

MSAC Cartoonist Society's Christmas Sketchbook Scavenger Hunt

 

On Monday, December 17, members of the Memphis Street Academy Cartoonist Society (an afterschool Club House activity) journeyed downtown to Center City Philadelphia with pencils and handmade sketchbooks in tow. The purpose of the trip was to have a "Sketchbook Scavenger Hunt", sketching something different at each stop.

Students first had lunch at the Reading Terminal Market, where they got to see the enormous toy train set, and then did some people-watching. As they ate their lunches and snacks, the young cartoonists were instructed to discreetly sketch other folks eating at the Terminal's cafeteria. 

After the Terminal, students headed over to Macy's to watch the legendary holiday light show and listen to the John Wannamaker organ. Once the light show was finished, students hung around to draw the giant eagle statue in front of the Christmas tree.

Later, the Cartoonist Society headed upstairs to the Dickens Village animatronic Scrooge show. Unfortunately, the show moved too fast and it was too dark to draw there. However, the students were cheered up as we concluded the trip by crowding up Santa for a group photo. Although Memphis Street Academy Charter is a middle school, our students are never too old to take a moment to return to fun times of younger childhood days. All in all, it was a great trip and a great way to build holiday memories.

Happy Holidays from the Memphis Street's Drummer Boys!

Memphis Street Art Students in the News!

A recent Olde City art show featuring local famous artists and our amazing students was covered in Broad Street Media this week. Please CLICK HERE to read the story!

A great big THANKS goes to Lisa Silveri for facilitating this event, and to Frances Connolly for all of her help.

Memphis Street Artists Design Cards for CcTC Kids

Some of our Fifth Grade artists show off their handmade holiday cards.

This holiday season, many of the art students at Memphis Street Academy Charter School designed cards for the children and staff in the Therapeutic Nursery at the Children's Crisis Treatment Center of Philadelphia (CcTC). CcTC is an amazing place of healing for children in the area.

  

Eighth Grader Anastacia Perez gave a framed Christmas-themed comic featuring her favorite Disney characters.

When the young artists heard the story of the strength and resilience of the children at CcTC, they were happy to "pay it forward" by spreading some holiday cheer. Pictured above is one of the 5th grade classes who designed cards. Our scholars decorated their little handmade masterpieces with assorted holiday imagery to warm the heart of a CcTC child or staff member.

At first, I thought I was teaching students a lesson on why it is better to give than receive. However, when I saw how hard these students worked and read the heartfelt messages inside the cards, I realized they are all well aware of the power of sharing and generosity.

To read more about CcTC, you can click here go to their website.