For the 2011 - 2012 School Year, we had to privilege of working with some local middle school students in Knoxville, TN. Michael Weineinger, a native New Yorker, and now an art teacher at Bearden Middle School, has been teaching his students about contemporary art, street art, and graffiti. He invited us to BMS for some collaborative projects that proved to be valuable for all parties involved.

In Fall 2011, Lifted Lab gave presentations at Bearden Middle School to 6th and 7th grade art students about modern day artists. We talked about

Bigfoot, Infamous JeanClaude, Grifter, Zach Widgren, Berk Visual, Lifter Baron

, and other young creatives. Students got to see a powerpoint presentation about the work of these artists, and collaborative projects they produce. We explored the idea of making a career from art, and encouraged kids to follow their creativity. 

Students began working on a project about cultural diversity in September. They were given the assignment to create a mask from  layers of colored paper that represents a unique culture from another part of the world. After completing this project, a handful of the masks would be selected for an art show in downtown Knoxville hosted by Lifted Lab. The art show was titled "These Funky Masks" and took place in November of 2011.

In Spring of 2012, Lifted Lab returned to BMS for an evening themed around New York City. We set up a workshop table for kids, parents, grandparents to stop by and see art, prints, toys, apparel, books, and stickers by Lifted Lab artists and New York artists that we're inspired by. Kids learned about the origins of graffiti and how to practice bubble letters and hand styles. 

Shout out to Michael Weininger for the opportunity to put all of this together and big up to all the inspiring, talented kids following their creativity at BMS.