1. What is your name?
Austin Barbian.
2. What is your position with MLK? What does your position do?
Im the filmmaker, I make commercials and promote the company through the use of video.
3. How long have you been working with MLK?
I started in November 2013.
4. How did you get involved with MLK?
I saw the application on the school's job board.
5. What's your favorite part of working with MLK? And Why?
My favorite part of MLK is that people you meet at the mural sites and can network with them.
6. Do you have a favorite mural? And Why?
My favorite mural has to be the grand prix mural, because the company got so much exposure, and I loved the people that we meet there, and it was really cool working next to the Ford people.
7. Have you worked on any murals? If yes, which ones? If yes, which was your favorite and why?
Yes, I've worked on the Monroeville mall, Squirrel Hill, Oakland, North Side, Hip Hop Festival, Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, and the elementary school murals.
1. What is your name?
Lisa Hawkins
2. How did you get involved with MLK?
A friend of mine who is an Artist contacted me and asked if I would be interested in Coordinating a large Project. He sent me an email and I contacted Lindsey Wolfson who was representing the Client who wanted the 160 foot long Mural painted on their property Amberwood Place Apartment Homes in Longview, Texas.
Lindsey, interviewed with me and took my Application and I waited about two weeks then she contacted me about being the Mural Coordinator and I accepted.
She told me about a Project she had seen in Miami done by MLK. I was so impressed when she sent me the link. She decided to use MLK with me as the Local Mural Coordinator and Kyle Holbrook with MLK as the Executive Director. We all worked together along with Edward Rawson to plan the Mural.
We got the Community together with Artists who were interested in the Project and had three community meetings. The first meeting was an informational Meeting where we recruited Artists and Members of the Community to become part of this Project. We recruited through the meeting, the Media, and the MLK website, for Artists to compete in a Contest to become one of the 6 Mural Artists to work with 10 Local Youth Artists which we had a separate Competition for the Youth to become one of the Artists to Paint the Mural.
It was quite an exciting time seeing all the wonderful paintings and ideas the Artists had for the Mural.
On the Last big Community Meeting we announced the Winners at the Longview Museum of Fine Arts and had a celebration party celebrating all the Artists who won the competition and for the media sources who had given our Project so much Publicity.
The nice thing was two Artists won the Competition to work with the Youth Artists who saw the Contest Post on the MLK website. They had already done previous MLK Murals and it was so nice working with them and gaining from their experience. Kyle Holbrook was amazing with his knowledge of painting a Mural and made it fun for the Kids.
3. I hear you have a Longview, Texas edition, can you tell me a little about that?
In the first stages of planning the Mural, Kyle or Edward suggested making a name for the project. Since the Mural was dedicated to the Past, Present and Future of Longview, I decided to just name the page "The Longview, Texas Community Mural Project".
Some of the Community Members helped me make this decision.
4. Where is one place that you would love to paint a Mural?
I would love to see more done locally in Longview and the surrounding areas. If I had a place away from my hometown area, I would say Miami or California or any Tropical Place.
5. Do you have anything else to say about your experiences?
I think doing a Mural the MLK way is a wonderful experience for not only the Artists but the Community and Kids who get involved.
The Kids get to know established Artists and learn from them. The Community got involved with the actual painting of the Mural too especially on "Paint day" where we painted Bright Orange Swirls on the Mural!
This kind of Project is really beneficial to the Youth Artists because it gives them the confidence to use their talent in the outside world. They are recognized for their grand achievement by not only their family and peers but the world gets to see what they have created.
It is a beautiful thing.
The Childrens's Trust Expo is an annual event that happens in Miami Florida, which attracts more than 20,000 visitors a year. This event is filled with activities and events for the children as well as health and social contact information for the parents. This year MLK was able to be apart of the event. We had a booth set up with coloring books for the kids, as well as promotional information about MLK. It was a lot of fun talking to the kids as well as their parents about what MLK is and what we do!
To learn more about the event click on the button below.
Some pictures from the event.
This is the second year MLK was able to be apart of Thrival Festival, and boy was it a blast! This two day event featured live musical performances by some amazing singers, rappers and DJ's. To name a few that performed; Misterwives, MOBY, The Red Western, 1,2,3, Z-Trip, Green velvet and much more! With the music blaring and the smell of food trucks in the air, MLK was able to complete two murals, tripling the sizes from last year! Although, we did get some help from attendees at the concert! This event was an amazing one, and we can't wait to see what Thrival has in store for next year!
1. What is your name?
Madeline Tyska
2. How long have you been working with MLK?
Since June 2014
3. What part did you play in the mural?
I was the part time Site Manager. Frank Kolesha was the other Site Manager. We were responsible for holding the youth employees accountable for professional work ethics and teaching them art curriculum during the six weeks.
4. What is the site managers job?
The site managers ensured the youth displayed reputable conduct on site. They monitor time sheets, making sure the youth show up to work on time. They oversee all youth professionalism such as behavior, attire, and attitude. Additionally, site managers educate the students on a six-week curriculum that teaches fundamental art concepts.
5. What was the inspiration for the mural?
The inspiration for this mural was the Oakland Community. They have implemented the Oakland 2025 Master Plan, which calls for neighborhood beautification as a top priority. This mural is a reflection of this vibrant community, with the bright colors chosen and symbolic oak leaves.
6. Did the mural go the way you planned?
Yes, the mural turned out beautifully. But besides the end product, it was the process that was the best part. Many bonds were formed among all participants and several life lessons were learned at the wall.
7. Is there anything you would change, or wish would of have happened differently?
I cannot say there is anything I would change. Maybe I would make it longer than six weeks, so I could spend more time with everyone!
8. Where is the unveiling happening?
370 Atwood Street. It is on the side wall of Mad Mex in Oakland
9. Can anyone show up for the mural?
Yes! The more the merrier!
10. Can you tell me about the unveiling, who will be there, what will be happening?
The unveiling is meant to be a celebration of the combined efforts of all youth, artists, and site managers that worked on the mural together. It celebrates the collaboration and beautification of the Oakland Community. Many members who worked on the mural will be there as well as the Oakland Panning and Development Corporation (OPDC) who was in partnership with MLK. We have refreshments and a ribbon cutting ceremony planned. There will be several opportunities to speak with participants of the mural to learn about their experiences.
11. Have you ever designed a mural before?
This mural was my first with MLK. Lucas Stock deserves credit for designing this particular mural.
1. What is your name?
Sammi Parrish
2. What is your position with MLK? What does your position do?
I am the fashion coordinator/curriculum writer for MLK. I've written the Curriculums for Fashion Design, Typography, and Photography.
3. How long have you been working with MLK?
A little over a year now.
4. How did you get involved with MLK?
I looked on the AIP job board and thought it could be interesting working for a mural company.
5. What's your favorite part of working with MLK? And Why?
I like being able to use the murals as a fabric design to make clothes and accessories to promote MLK.
6. Do you have a favorite mural? And Why?
I like the strip district mural, mostly because I love food, but also because the composition of the food was aesthetically pleasing. ;)
7. Have you worked on any murals? If yes, which ones? If yes, which was your favorite and why?
I have, I've worked on a couple, Thrival (2013 & 2014), 2014 Oakland mural, and the Grand Prix Mural. I like the Oakland Mural the best, just because I spent the most time there, and it was really cool to see it come together.
1. What is your name?
Sammi Parrish
2. What is your major?
Fashion Design
3. How long have you been sewing?
I've been sewing in general (pillows, curtains etc.) since I was 6 or 7. I ended up quitting until I was 13 because I couldn't sew a straight line (by hand) and I picked it up again later on.
4. What inspired you to start sewing?
I needed an outfit for a school dance that I wanted to go to, and my mom said that she wouldn't buy me anything because I "had enough clothes in my closet to find something to wear." I (obviously) disagreed, and I asked her to help me make something instead. She was happy to, because anything I made would be way easier on her wallet than anything I wanted to buy.
She told me to figure out what I wanted, and gave me a couple magazines to look through, then I found this picture of Dakota Fanning and I was obsessed with the skirt.
With my mom's help I ended up making it in a purple (my favorite color), white, and black african print skirt, just in time for the dance!
This is a picture from one of the fashion shows I planned in high school (clearly not me wearing the skirt but a model)
-How long has your mom been designing and sewing?
I honestly have no idea? I'm going to say she's been sewing forever, just because my grandma also made their clothes when they were younger and I'm assuming my mom learned a lot then.
-Does your mom have any shows coming up? If yes, how could people attend?
Yes she does! She's showing in Pittsburgh Fashion Week, on Thursday September 25th at 7:00PM in Highmark Stadium.
-Does your mom have a website?
She does: http://www.50sisterhood.com/
5. Have you ever had your designs put in a fashion show before? If yes which ones?
Yes I have, I planned my own shows throughout high school, and I showed artwork along with mine and other students work. I also have showed in Pittsburgh Fashion Week 2013 (my first quarter at AIP) and am showing in Pittsburgh Fashion 2014 (this year) again. I also showed in the Prima Facie Spirit Show at Carnegie Mellon, which was a fun experience!
Which show was your favorite? And why?
I think I enjoyed the shows that I planned at my high school the most, just because there was a huge sense of family and camaraderie. I got to give a lot of people that were interested in showing their art a chance to do so, and I persuaded a bunch of people to model for me. The arts weren't really a huge deal at my school (they aren't really at any school honestly) so I was really grateful that the administration and students were willing to work with me to make this happen for three years straight.
I remember when I first asked about doing a fashion show one of my teachers said "you'll probably have to wait and do it next year, don't you think?" and about 2 months later I had produced the first "Art and Fashion Showcase". It was just an incredibly rewarding experience.
6. Do you have any shows coming up?
I do! I am showing in Pittsburgh Fashion Week for the second time this year which is very exciting! The show is on Saturday, September 27th at 7:00PM at the Art Institutes.
7. How can people go?
Just purchase your ticket here: http://www.showclix.com/event/quotBTBquotBackToBasics
and there's plenty of parking around the school.
8. What was your inspiration for this collection?
I really wanted to work with cable knits for this collection, and that's sort of what I did. I'm not a great knitter, but I'm an avid crocheter, so I did my own version of cable knits with crochet patterns instead.
9. Do you have any designers that you look up to or take inspiration from?
I don't always look to designers for inspiration, I like looking into nature, or literature, mythology, or pretty much anything I find interesting. One designer and design house I do admire is Kenzo (https://www.kenzo.com/en/). I am in LOVE with their prints and how they incorporate them into their collections.
10. Where do you see yourself in the fashion industry in a few years?
I'd really like to work in childrenswear (I know, not exactly what I'm doing now) either designing, or even doing some technical design. I'm also thinking about going to school for footwear design/cobbling. I really love shoes, and I've wanted to learn how to make them since I was around 15 so that's another thing i'd like to get the chance to do. I'm not entirely sure yet, but I've got some time to think about it...
11. Whats your favorite part about designing?
My favorite part of designing is actually making the clothing. I love watching a flat piece of fabric turn into something wearable. I find it incredible that we can make pieces of art from plant fibres, and honestly, we can make anything we want. That's what I love about designing, there are no boundaries.
12. What's your least favorite part about designing?
My least favorite part... I'm not sure I have one about designing specifically? When I feel I've finished a project and find that a hem is uneven, or I forgot to close something I find that annoying. I hate having to go back to projects that I've deemed complete.
13. What company or designer do you see yourself wanting to work for? [dream job]
In one of my classes I was working on a research project and I found a childrenswear company based in Chicago named Wolfechild (http://www.wolfechild.net/) and I just love everything they're doing. A lot of cute florals, and stripes, and childrenswear is just super cute anyways.
I'd also love to work at/with Sophia Webster (http://www.sophiawebster.co.uk/). She's a London based footwear designer, and everything about her designs is cute and bubbly, and sassy and adorable. She's mostly working in womens footwear but also has a childrenswear collection out there.
It would also be cool to work with/at ALDO (http://www.aldoshoes.com/us), I love their shoes, and it would be great to learn more about their design and production processes.
For Womenswear, I'd love to work with the Kenzo designers Humberto Leon, and Carol Lim. I'd honestly just like to see where they get their prints, because they're always so vibrant and eye catching!
14. Do you have a website or social media for people to contact you or see your work?
I am editing my website now! sammiandcompany.com and it should be up after my show in Fashion Week!
But anyone can follow me on twitter (sammiparrish) and instagram (parrishsammi)
OH! Also i've got a blog: sammisews.blogspot.com
MLK is fortunate enough to have Micci Hutterer participate in another interview for our blog today. This time she will be speaking about her summer experiences working on the Squirrel Hill Mural as well as with the kids from MLK this year! Enjoy!
Can you tell me a little about the Squirrel Hill Mural?
The Sq. Hill Mural is on the corner of Beacon and Murray, it extends around the back of the building and onto the roof wall of the building next door. It is the "Green Mural" a graphic depiction of the street names and leaf print designs that spell out Sq. Hill and Murray Ave.
What was your favorite part of working on this mural? And Why?
The kids did an awesome job and worked very hard and put their efforts into creating something extremely nice! The best part was watching them learn and grow as young adults not only in the sense of artistic skill but as people. They started out relatively talented and were very open to the art lessons and the mural painting, but they also learned how to function as a group and they got along well. We had a few bumps in the journey caused by outside events that occurred in their lives but the kids stuck together and supported one another and that's what makes it worth the effort! Each time I spend a summer with MLK Mural we become family with the kids, that's my favorite part, to make our little space in the world more beautiful not only literally but figuratively as well! We hope they learn and carry on!
Who came up with the concept for the mural?
Eddie Rawson started the mural on Beacon and Murray last summer, and this is a continuation of his design.
On August 22nd our MLK Mural Project staff teamed up with Principal Fisher of Grandview elementary school. Our staff and many other helpers at the event helped us to create two awesome murals that will be hung up in the school. This event was full of music, food, paint and fun. We got a lot of help from the students and kids who came by the event, getting down and dirty helping us paint the murals. Enjoy some of the photos from the event below. You can also see more pictures from the event on our social media!
So over the past couple of months the MLK intern crew has increased in numbers and I thought this would make an excellent series of interviews, so everyone can get to know the people who help keep MLK going! The interviewees that will be participating in this series will be Samantha P, Austin B, Rebecca H, Will M, Eric M and Umar F. So Stay tuned for their interviews soon!
We are missing one!