PhilaU Thon, Slip Casting and Drawing Projects!

Being a new member in the Dance Marathon Family, I as able to connect with the also new Dance Marathon Family at Philadelphia University. Their dance marathon was on Nov. 9th-10th. 

Rachel Prescott who is the northeast/midwest dance marathon chair, came into Philadelphia on friday the 9th, for PhilaU Thon. Having enough time, Rachel was able to meet with HootaThon's executive committee as well. This was an awesome meeting as well, and it was really nice for all of us finally meet with her! It was even better, because our advisor Amanda Neuber and Lisa Rabbitt from CHOP was able to come too!

 Top row: Emily Dabashinsky (Vice President); Mack Meyer (Dancer Recruitment Co-Chair); Katie Gillespie (Co-President); ME! (Co-President); Steven Reichardt (Morale Chair); Bailey Fuentes (Finance Chair); Bridget Clawson (Dancer Recruitment Co-Chair); Amanda Neuber (Advisor)

Bottom Row: Lisa Rabbitt (CHOP representative); Katey Steinberg (Vice President); Jane Mittelman (Event Planning Chair); Naomi Makishi (Marketing/PR Chair); Melynda Link (Hospital/Family Relations Chair); Rachel Prescott (CMN DM representative)

After our meeting, Rachel drove Emily and I over to Philadelphia University for their Dance Marathon. It was so much fun to help set up, dance, celebrate life, and celebrate the lives of the kids that CHOP saves every single day! PhilaU Thon raised $8,109.33 for CHOP. It's incredible what they did, and I am so proud of all them!

Brittany (PhilaU Thon President) and I! I was so proud of her for raising so much for CHOP!

Melynda and I were Thon King and Queen... whether anyone wants to admit it or not.

Emily, Jane, ME, Bridget, and Katie!

Our energetic executive committee!

Me, Jane, Katie, Bridget, Emily!

Yesterday, we got our slip casting projects back from the kiln firing. Mine turned out so well! I had originally molded a ginger root, but when I assembled it into a sculpture, I was able to have the form look more like coral. I love how it has turned out, and i'm not sure if i'm going to affect the surface in any way yet.

Also in 3D, we began working on our wire sculptures. I'll explain the project later when I have more of it done, but here are the three matrices that we had to create that we'll end up using in our final project. 

For Drawing, we had our second big project. We had to create an architectural space using five different studies. I created this space. It's hard to explain, but its a make believe space. 

Other than that, I am having a lot of fun here at Tyler and Temple. Everything has been great so far, and I have met some incredible people between Tyler, 1300, and HootaThon!

I am beyond excited to come home for Thanksgiving. I cannot wait to see everyone again, especially Olivia. Talking everyday does not make up for not seeing her. Hopefully i'll be able to see a lot of you guys too!

HootaThon: my newest adventure!

As many of you know, my most amazing older sister Kiersten partakes and helps run BuckeyeThon, Ohio State Universities Dance Marathon for Children's Miracle Network. The money they raise goes towards Nationwide Children's Hospital. Kiersten does amazing things with BuckeyeThon and has inspired me for years about Dance Marathon!

She has inspired me so much, in that I have created a Dance Marathon for Temple University. Their First Dance Marathon. For any of you who don't really know about Dance Marathon or HootaThon, this is what I have been sending out to all our interested students: 

HootaThon is Temple University's first Dance Marathon. A Dance Marathon is a student-run philanthropy event held on campus once a year, but the overal cause is a year long project. We lead fundraising events and awareness, as well as activities with the children at CHOP, all throughout the year. This is all leading up to our twelve hour event, where we stand on our feet for all those kids who can't. We dance for twelve hours to celebrate the lives we've saved and to remember the lives we've lost. It is a time for the families to have a day to celebrate the life of their kids, and a time for their kids to enjoy themselves and not have to worry about the tests, or hospital beds, or when they might be sick again. 

It is our time to celebrate for everything we have done throughout the year. Everything we've done to raise money for CHOP and everything we've done to come together as a university. 

Dance Marathon's happen in over 170 high schools and colleges across the country. They raised over 50 million dollars in 2011 alone, and have made record-breaking numbers in money raised for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals around the nation. 

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been ranked one of the nation's best children's hospital in the country. Our money raised would be going to the Child Life department at CHOP. This would benefit for activities and crafts that the kids will do together. These activities help the children feel like they're at home while living in a hospital. It makes them feel like a kid when they're surrounded with the aroma that hospital's have. 

With connections through Kiersten, I have met Katie Gillespie, who is a sophmore at Temple. Katie and I are Co-Presidents of HootaThon. Through the spread of word and friends, HootaThon has made amazing progress since I started it here at Temple. 

In September, I held an informational meeting about HootaThon, just to see how many students would be interested in starting a Dance Marathon at Temple. Surprising, shocking, and exciting for me, I had over fifty students show up at this meeting. FIFTY!! 50!!!!!

It was an incredible meeting, and from the fifty, thirty five came up after the meeting saying they were interested in being on a committee. From those thirty five, thirty three handed in their committee interest forms! This was an incredible feeling that I had. 

Since this meeting in September, Katie and I chose committee chair's for our seven committees as well as two vice presidents. We have already held an Executive Committee meeting, and each Committee has held their own meeting. So far in our organization, we have over seventy students involved. This is incredible!!! 

Katie and I went last friday to register as a student organization, and are most likely going to get approved! (just haven't gotten the verification e-mail yet)!!! On friday, the some of the Executive Committee went on a trip to CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia). This was awesome. It was an amazing experience to actually see the hospital that we are going to raise money for. 

Jane Mittelman (Event Operations Chair); Melynda Link (Hospital/Family Relations Chair); Emily Dabashinsky (Vice President); Jenn Gayman (Fundraising Chair), Bailey Fuentes (Finance Chair); Bridget Clawson (Dancer Recruitment Co-Chair)

[not pictured, Katie Gillespie (Co-President); Katey Steinberg (Vice President); Steven Reichardt (Morale Chair); Naomi Makishi (Marketing/PR Chair); Mack Meyer (Dance Recruitment Co-Chair)]

thought this was a pretty snazzy picture! (:

We are going again in two weeks to do a craft with the kids, and we are SO excited about that!

I'm happy to answer any questions you have about HootaThon. Our donar drive is not set up yet, but once donations are able to be accepted, I will be sure to let you know!!! 

Thanks again for your constant support in everything that I do. It always means so much to me!

Rosie, Sandy, Quarter Life Crisis, and One of the Guys

During the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation race, Maddy, Brian, Angelo, Roberto and I were able to meet Rosie O'Donnell. Rosie's wife has a desmoid tumor, and they are both avid supporters of the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation. 

Oh yeah... She thought I was Peter Parker aka. SPIDERMAN (: 

Don't I look like Tobey Magurie?

The Hurricane was..... nothing! We had some rain and some wind, but nothing for anyone to worry about. Its sad... because I wish I could write more about it, but it wasn't too excited... Besides the fact that I got two days of school off, and had an awesome time playing board games with Olivia, Michael, Tom, Meg, and Michael my RA. It was a lot of fun!

My RA Michael was the creator, director, and producer of a Temple TV Show. It was called 

Quarter Life Crisis. It's about a group of students who take over the job of the professor throughout the semester. He did an AMAZING job and invited Katey, Michael, Kayla and I to the premiere of the show at the Pearl Movie Theatre. It was so much fun, and we are so proud of our RA Michael. 

Katey, Me, Michael, Kayla

Me, Michael (RA), Michael, Katy

But now, Michael has created a new TV Show which he will be directing and producing as well. This half-hour TV show is titled One of the Guys. Michael has asked me to be his Artistic Director. I am in charge of costumes and props for the TV show. I am so excited to start this, and can't wait to see it when it's completed. He's going to do a great job as always, and it's just so exciting!!!

Critiques, Design, First Fridays, Family, Folios, Rocky Horror, Packages, and Pop-Ups!

Critiques, Design, First Fridays, Family, Rocky Horror, Packages, and Pop-Ups!

So, two weeks ago [I think] is when I had critiques on the three projects for my foundation art classes. 

The Drawing critique on the"Objectify" Assignment went well. 

It was interested to see the first real critique environment since coming to Tyler. 

It was also really interesting to see all of the different projects that were submitted. Everyone attacked the project with their own personality, and own way. But they went well.

In 2D, the critique on our folk crazy quilts went well too. The critique is quite different than Drawing and 3D. It is a much more, 

"what do you like about the piece" 

rather than 

"what is nice, but what could they do better to improve the piece; what doesn't work"

In 3D, our critiques were the most interesting. I've never had a serious 3D critique. It was also really cool to see everyone's kite hanging. It was also interesting to see how people approached talking about everyone else's kite. But my kite turned out really well and I was proud of what I accomplished.

This is what Asuka had to say about my kite:

"I was happy to see someone work with ripstop for this project, because it really does feel like the most appropriate material for the assignment.  I was also glad that you made use of the sewing machine and thought you did a nice job piecing your sail together.  The sharp lines created by the triangular pieces of fabric gave your project a nice feeling of forward movement.  The negative spaces created by the wooden frame and the cotton string that you used to install the piece reinforced that dynamic sense of momentum.  You did a nice job installing the piece in the room, as well.

The stitching was a little distracting, however.  Perhaps orange and blue colored thread would have been more appropriate.

Overall, an impressive project."

After a week of critiques, we began new assignments and new projects. 

In Drawing, we started architectural drawings in which our final project will be an architectural-esc drawing in which we create a space [using perspective]. The paper we use for the final project must be five feet in one direction. 

In 3D, we began our mold-making project. We are crating plaster molds of an object which we will then slip-cast multiple times. Then, we'll create a sculpture from the casts we make. 

I chose to mold a ginger root. It's more difficult to mold an irregular shaped object because of the mid line of the object. -But, who isn't up for a challenge!!!

The first and second part of the mold went well, and today, we're going to do our first slip cast!!!

I'm so excited for this! [finally I've been able to touch clay again] 

In 2D, we went to the computer lab to begin the digital part of our semester. We had to read the book "Invisible Cities" by Calvino. We had to choose a quote from the book that we wanted to use to create a poster to express the quote chosen. The quote I chose, was 

"Journeys to relive out past          Journeys to recover our future"

We used Adobe Illustrator to create our poster. This was my final piece created.

Philadelphia hosts 'First Fridays' every first friday of every month. Down in old city, and up walnut st, the gallery's are open to the public! The streets are then filled with artists selling work. From paintings, to posters, to jewelry, to music. 

It was so much fun!

On October 6th, I had an amazing visit from Mom, Dad, and Olivia. It was a great visit, and we had a lot of fun. Temple beat South Florida that day, their first Big East game. It was a great game. 

After the game, we went to go see Tara, Topher, Abby and the new twins! It was great to see them!

Afterwards, we went out to dinner at Jack's Firehouse which was an excellent resturaunt! 

(but i guess anything is better than dining hall food)

Then, this weekend, I was able to see Aunt Janet and Joshua, because Joshua was touring Temple and the Boyer School of Music. It was great to see them, and get to hang out with Joshua for a while. 

(they even brought some fresh treats from the farm!)

Also this weekend, I was able to see Maddy, Brian, Roberto, and Angelo!! It was great to see them, and spend time with them! I went swimming with the boys on Friday, and then we went out to dinner on Saturday to the Max Brenner Chocolate Bar. It was incredible! They also made me an amazing care package with treats, halloween candy, a brand new bowtie, and a picture frame of Maddy and I from Lap4Life; which I keep on my desk as a constant inspiration to spread joy and never let go of your dreams! (:

On October 12th, my RA planned an event to Rocky Horror!

It was so much fun! We went to the William Way Center to watch the movie while actors performed it in front of the stage. My RA Mike brought toast, toilet paper, rice, cards, newspaper, and so many other props to use during the movie. It was so much fun!

My good friend Michael and I dressed up to match!

I have also been blessed with packages from everyone! Aunt Anita, Oma and Pop, Paula, Uncle Danny! Thanks you all SO much! I love each and every one of them!!

(of course, the more the packages the better!)

Recently in 3D, we started doing pop-ups! Its really fun, exciting, and interesting!! Our first project was a 90 degree pop-up. I based it off of Newburgh's Dutch Reformed Church!

Commercials, Concerts, NYC, and Three Finished Projects.

Temple University has started a new program to publicize the importance that Temple has had on Philadelphia, and the ways that it is using all that Philadelphia has to offer to their students.

All week, they have been filming for new commercials that are to be used for Temple publicity.

On Wednesday night, I went along with friends from the hall and my RA, Mike, 

to the Tyler School of Art, where they projected an image on the outside of the building and used us in the background. Once I get a hold of the commercial when its done, 

I will be sure to share it with all of you! 

These pictures, are what the Temple Made campaign is!

They use a projector to project images onto buildings. They did this all throughout Philadelphia.

On Friday night, my good friend Laura had her first Symphony Orchestra Concert. This Symphony Orchestra is a Temple Student Orchestra, from freshman to graduate students.  Laura plays viola, and made 5th chair. 

And before Laura's concert, our RA's planned an event in the hall. Hallway Twister!!

My one RA Maddie, is standing on the right, and the other 

RA, Mike, is sitting all the way in the top left corner. 

On Saturday for Art History, we went on a trip to NYC to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was really cool to see things that you've been studying for weeks. 

After my professor walked us around, we were all allowed free time until the bus left at 4. 

I was so glad about this, because I was able to see Maya and Baasil!!! 

It was so good to see them. Someone from home. Maya goes to NYU, and Baasil, Stonybrook, so they both took the train up to the Met and we went out to lunch. It was really nice to see them.

While in NY, we walked pass the LOVE statue. 

I took this picture to prove to Philadelphia that NY does it better. 

When I got back to Temple University, Laura, Katy, Ethan, and I went out to dinner with Hannah to celebrate her birthday. We went to La Fourno Italian Restaurant on South Street. It was a really cute italian restaurant with great food.

Ethan, Hannah, Katy, Me, Laura

This past week/weekend was very busy. 

Today, Monday October 1st, and tomorrow, Tuesday October 2nd, are when all of my first big projects for my three foundation classes were due. 

In 2D, we had to create a crazy quilt using line, value, and texture. It was to be 22" x 30". You had to incorporate everything we learned about line, value, and texture, into this quilt to create a cohesive composition. This is what my final project came out to be. 

I enjoyed this project and am pleased with the result. 

I used sharpie, charcoal, pencil, white out, and india ink.

For Drawing, we had to take a small object and make it bigger. 

"Objectify" was the name of the assignment.

I chose to objectify a clamp wrench.. I think that's what it's called. 

I am pleased with the bottom half of the assignment and the structure of the wrench itself. 

I hate hate hate to top right corner. Its just gross, and not what I am proud of. 

Anyways, this is the final product. Maybe you will enjoy it!

I created this using pencil. 

Finally, I finished my 3D project. My own kite is done and complete!! 

I am now a pro at the sewing machine, especially if you need a kite built!

Here are some pictures of my kite! 

I LOVE it. 

(please excuse my awkward facial expressions!)

Hope you enjoyed a very busy week! 

I'll talk to you guys soon!

South Street, Kites, and a 55,000 person Birthday Party.

"Art is the center of the real world"

Last weekend (9.15.21) Laura, Katy, Hannah, and I went down to South Street, because Laura had never been. We took the subway down to the South & Lombard Station and then walked down South Street. It's awesome to view South Street in the night scene. There are tons of people out and about.

Katy, Hannah, Laura

The Magical Mosaic Gardens

Our Kite Project for 3D Foundations is underway! We began building them in class this past Tuesday. I designed a triangular kite with three layers of fabric designing the overall look of the kite. I am using orange and blue ripstop as my fabric. Ripstop the fabric that is used for camping tents. It is strong and stable, and is good for pressure and tension when flying a kite. Here's what my kite looks like so far. 

Its only about two thirds of the way done.

And, if you can see, that's what our studio's look like!

BRUCEEEEEEE!

I took a surprise trip to East Rutherford, NJ, with Brody yesterday, to surprise Uncle Clyde, Aunt Margie, Cassie, and Dad, for Bruce's last concert at Giants Stadium for his Wreaking Ball Tour. 

It was a great concert, and a great way to celebrate Bruce Springsteen's 63rd Birthday!