A4L Teaching Artist Jean-Paul Mallozzi and LAS Alumni and ArtWorks Intern William Frazier, with his Scholastic Gold Key Award.
Arts for Learning is overjoyed to celebrate the momentous achievement of one of our best and brightest students, William Frazier, who was awarded both Gold and Silver Key Scholastic Art Awards!
William first came to Arts for Learning through his participation in the Lewis Arts Studio the summer before he entered the 6th grade. It was at the recommendation of his art teacher at Toussaint L’Ouverture Elementary School, Luis Valle that he auditioned for the intensive visual arts summer camp. Mr. Valle (Former A4L Teaching Artist and well-known painter and muralist) saw a natural talent in William and remains a mentor to him today. William grew his technique and honed his artistic ability through the help of many Lewis Arts Studio Teaching Artists, and was persistent is his art making independently, as his middle school did not provide visual art as an elective course.
Portfolio development classes offered through the Lewis Arts Studio helped William secure a spot in the Performing and Visual Arts Magnet program at Miami Northwestern Senior High School. While remaining an active Lewis Arts Studio Alumni, participating in annual contests and intensive workshops, William also applied for a position with Arts for Learning’s ArtWorks Internship in the Arts. Through his ArtWorks internship, he worked intensely to make new work, while participating in professional development workshops on resume writing, networking and professionalism – while being paid for his work. Beyond the work done during his ArtWorks internship, William studied under Teaching Artist Jean-Paul Mallozzi on evenings and weekends to further develop a more mature body of work.
“I challenged him to delve deeply into his personal life and to try to bring about a portfolio that reflected his loves and his challenges at the same time,” commented Mallozzi. “The obstacle was to create a body of work that told a story and related between each piece, allowing the viewers of the work to get a glimpse into his world, visually.”
Both pieces submitted by William won Scholastic Art Awards: “Mama,” (Gold Key) and “The Great Escape,” Silver Key (Regional). All Gold Key winners are entered into the Scholastic Art Awards’ national competition in New York City.
William is the quintessential A4L student; a true example of the power of perseverance and achievement in the arts.
Congratulations, William!
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