Artists Working in Education (A.W.E.) is a non-profit with a mission to engage the youth of Milwaukee through their creativity. A.W.E. brings art directly to children at Milwaukee schools, parks and neighborhoods most in need.
All summer long, their " Truck Studio" program has been stopping in parks around the city, at evening concerts. "We have a great partnership with Milwaukee County Parks for their evening concert series," says Beth Haskovec Executive Director of A.W.E. "The truck studio program has been around for 16 years and has grown to 4 vans." Each year, A.W.E. is able to employ 60 artists, reaching out to 5,500 kids in their neighborhoods.
The truck studio programs hire area artists to help kids create paintings, masks, sculptures and other imaginative art projects they can take home. The day I visited the truck, it was parked at the Washington Park bandshell for their Wednesday concert series. It was fun to see so many kids of all ages enjoying the "Make a Superhero" project.
Thanks to Ttiaona Le Flore for letting me chat with her kids: Guillermo (aka Willie), Diego, Sophia and Amy, and to Micalea and Art Teacher Michelle for showing me how to make a beautiful princess. Check out the story above for more info and to hear what the kids were creating that day.
