BLOG — Beyond Expectations

>> Check out students working behind the scenes in preparation for their final exhibit

July 28 -- Beyond Expectations 3D Summer Sculpt Workshop at the amazing Artworks Visual Arts Center created yet another memorable experience that our students won't soon forget!!

They were fortunate to be instructed by renowned Sculptor & Painter Autin Wright, Patina Technical Supervisor at the Johnson Atelier Institute who has 5 sculptures installed at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey.

The 5-day hands-on immersive program incorporated sketching, sanding, painting, and finishing techniques and culminated with an Final Exhibit in the Artworks Main Gallery showcasing the awesome student projects.

The program is an ideal way to leverage art to help bridge the gap and forge connections between the cadre of renowned artists at the Grounds for Sculpture and talented young people in surrounding communities.

Sculptors Clifford Ward (l) and Autin Wright (r) with Beyond Expectations Executive Director Leontyne Anglin at Final Group Exhibition

Investors Bank Associate Vice President Deneisha Rowe presents checks to Beyond Expectations Executive Director Leontyne Anglin

Hamilton, NJ -- Beyond Expectation’s Young Entrepreneurs Media Arts Academy was recognized and selected as a recipient of program support by the Investors and Roma Bank Community Foundations, which presented grant checks to the organization totaling $5,500 at the Grounds for Sculpture Final Exhibit.

Beyond Expectations applied for the grants from the Investors and Roma Bank Community Foundations, which support non-profit organizations that enrich the diverse communities served by Investors Bank.

Our Exclusive Exhibit at Grounds for Sculpture was a huge success!!

May 5 -- Students from the Young Entrepreneurs Media Arts Academy enjoyed an unbelievable opportunity to showcase their final work from their Upcycling Business projects at an exclusive exhibit at the magnificent Grounds for Sculpture.

The exhibit was attended by family, Grounds for Sculpture staff, artists, volunteers, and open to the public who provided rave reviews.

What an amazing overall project!! Thanks to everyone who attended to show their support.

THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS:

Exhibit Photography by Joseph Baldwin, 7 Degree Media

Banners donated by Caroline Damico, Printworx

Refreshments donated by Jodi Grinwald, MidJersey Chamber of Commerce

Furniture donated by Elena Torsiello, Nancy Schomburg, and April Zay

Gearing up for our Spring Session Young Entrepreneurs Media Arts Academy!

Beyond Expectations and First Baptist Church of Trenton will continue our partnership with Hummingbird Arts Studio for this Spring Session. We will focus on the business of Art and Design under the direction and instruction of professional facilitators from the art and digital media industries.

Over the 5 week session, students will work on a planning project for a mock client where they will be introduced to the Upcycling Business which fuses Art with the Recycling of discarded materials, clothes, and furniture -- giving them new life and value. They will also learn techniques of product photography used by industry professionals to capture the optimal images for display and/or sale.

The Academy will culminate with a LIVE Exhibit of their finished pieces allowing students to experience the business of curating their own work.

"This project has been proudly supported by Roma Bank Community Foundation and Investors Foundation."

April 7 -- Executive Director Leontyne Anglin and Program Director April Zay were excited to welcome another awesome group of middle, high school, and college students to the Spring Session of our Young Entrepreneurs Media Arts Academy, following an onsite introduction by Rev. Powell of First Baptist Church of Trenton.

The hands-on training provides students with opportunities to learn firsthand about starting and operate their own businesses as well as forge connections with caring professionals within their respective industries.

Focus for the Spring Session is the Upcycling Business: which fuses art with recycling of furniture and other materials to give them new life and value.

Carmelita at Grounds for Sculpture

Session 1 - following an introduction by program facilitators, students were introduced to a special guest presenter, Autin Wright, a local sculptor who has several works of art installed at Grounds for Sculpture, who provided an overview of what it takes to start and build a career as a professional artist.

The group was divided into teams w/ an older student as a team leader to select an item, sand, and prep with base paint for retouching and finishing in the upcoming sessions.

Each team is ultimately responsible for developing a budget, planning, and creating their own original collections which they will showcase and exhibit as a final project.

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Session 2 is in the books. Students resumed prep on their team collections and made decisions for fabric and finishing that they will complete in the subsequent classes.

Next week will also include a visit from Digital Media Artist Neil Anthony who will provide hands-on instruction on professional techniques to capture their collections in preparation for showcase at their public exhibit.

Session 3 is a wrap. Teams entered into the next phase of work on their respective collections with final coats of paint and embellishments.

Guest facilitator Neil Anthony, owner of 21st Century Photography, closed out the session with hands-on digital media instruction on techniques and lighting considerations to best showcase their displays in preparation for potential sale and upcoming final exhibit.

Final Session 4: Students put on the finishing touches. Each team worked diligently to paint, embellish, and refine each of the pieces in their collections.

We wrapped with an exercise discussing the budget considerations for calculating and pricing their work including cost of supplies and time allocated to the overall project. Then, a review of plans for the upcoming exhibition.

Students will have an awesome opportunity to showcase their work during an exclusive exhibit at the magnificent Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey.

>> For more information about the exhibit contact us at 866-321-6777 or info@beyondexp.net.

Schools & Community Collaborative

March 28 -- Beyond Expectations had an opportunity to participate in the Gregory School Stakeholder Meeting hosted by the principal Michael Rosenberg. Local businesses and community organizations were represented around the table as well as attendees from the Mayor's and Superintendent's office.

The meeting was followed by Listening Tour conducted by Superintendent Dr. Frederick McDowell, Jr.

Ideal venue to connect and share ideas on how we can show collaborative support for our students, parents, teachers, and schools.

Read Across America 2018

March 2 -- Yep, there was a storm brewing outside but we made our way to volunteer at the 3rd Annual Read Across America event hosted by the Center for Child & Family Achievement.

Wrapping up 2017 with our annual Jersey Cares Coat Drive

It's an ideal opportunity that we use each each year to forge connections between community, volunteers, and local organizations.

Hundreds of warm coats and socks were donated by our phenomenal partner Grounds for Sculpture along with shirts, sweaters and ties provided by Hamilton Horizons Federal Credit Union. It was a great way to spend our last day of service for the year sorting and wrapping the items that were delivered to First Baptist Church of Trenton for children and families in need this holiday season.

Thanks to all of the awesome, dedicated volunteers who continue year after year to give their time in service to others.