Working in the Metal Shop with Get Up Get Down.

Having a few weeks in the shop has been lots of fun. We have been learning hand tools, power tools, and MIG welding. The first assignment was to create some kind of self-portrait using found materials.

Get Up Get Down kicks off the year with a fieldtrip to a local sculpture park!

On the 13th of October, we traveled to Easthampton where Park Hill Orchard hosts a sculpture exhibit called "Art in the Orchard." We toured the 20 sculptures made mostly of recycled material and scrap metal for inspiration. Despite the muck and clouds we had a lovely time and appreciated the beautiful view. Some of the more memorable included a larger-than-life metal tiger made out of rebar, a giant wasp made of scrap metal, and a flowery symphony of saw blades.

1st YAC Unity: First Generation Performance Project

What a way to start off the new year! A special thanks to all those who came to the Jones Library this past Friday. We watched an incredible performance from some of First Generation's youth performers, then engaged in some truly inspiring dialogue. And we can't forget the awesome games that our first facilitators were able to show us!

Thank you to First Generation for helping us kick off the year with a wonderful YAC Unity. If you couldn't come to this one, be sure to try to get to the next one! Ask any of your friends who went, and I am confident they will recommend it! On the agenda for next time: an open mic/art share. Should be a great time, details to come!

Need some more YAC this summer?! Check out the STREET ART PROJECT!

Have you seen GUGD's new mural on the side of the Amherst Cinema Building? Pretty cool, right?! Well, this summer you, too, can make art in downtown Amherst!

Announcing the STREET ART PROJECT!

This summer YAC is collaborating with PRISM: the ARHS 21st Century After School Program to offer a really exciting program for any youth interested in exploring their creativity and making artwork that is relevant and alive in the community.

July 5-21

T/W/Th -- 1pm-4pm

meet at ARHS and make art downtown!

Students may earn 1 elective credit thru ARHS Summer School! Attend all sessions, pay a small fee (lunch included!) Sign up with Lisa Candito, ARHS Room 311, canditol@arps.org, 413.362.1789

For more information contact Katie Richardson: katie@youthactioncoalition.org, 413.253.2158

FIGMENT Boston: What an AWESOME trip!

Wanna work at YAC? We're hiring!

Now’s your chance to run an Arts-for-Change program! We’re looking for enthusiastic artists and youth workers for two program coordinator positions beginning this fall:

- GirlsEyeView programs in Ware and Amherst, 20-25 hrs/wk

- E'town Rising program in Easthampton, 8-15 hrs/wk

All positions begin September 2011. The application deadline is June 15, and interviews will happen in late June/early July. For the full job posting, email Hannah at hannah@youthactioncoalition.org

GirlsEyeView Ware Field Trip to UMass University Museum

Yesterday, 10 girls from GEV Ware piled into a big white van for the half hour drive to UMass Amherst. We went to the University Museum, where there is an exhibit up by photographer David Goldblatt.

Our kind guide Eva provided context for the exhibit - we learned all about the Apartheid era in South Africa.

Eva also talked to us about how David Goldblatt doesn't consider himself an "artist" persay - he documents the world around him as he sees it.

Having just one hour to visit the exhibit was nowhere near enough time! It was hard to tear ourselves away for the incredible, giant images. Everyone had a different favorite - mine was the room with a number to triptychs that really allowed the viewer to step inside the photograph.

It was a super fun time!