The proud staff, editors, and “interns” (volunteers and parents) of The Riverside Port-Reveler/The Newspaper, Big Class’s community newspaper project, outside Big Class’s headquarters. We are excited to be releasing this publication (along with several others) this August. Come get a sneak peak of these publications June 2 at 3 PM during our “Back to Summer” fest, when our young writers will be reading their work.
Big Class is an organization that facilitates creative collaborations to support the creative and expository writing skills of New Orleans students. We run a writing center on Saint Claude Ave. below Antenna Gallery that hosts free after-school workshops and homework help, and create in-school projects in collaboration with teachers that enrich writing experiences through artistic collaborations. On Sunday, June 2nd from 12-5 we will be hosting a festival to celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of the summer. ”Back to Summer Fest” will feature writing and art activities, educational tours of Antenna Gallery’s “My Mom Says My Work Has Really Improved Too” art show on the hour, a reading by young writers at 3, and free food. If you have any questions, call Doug Keller at 561.716.1454 or e-mail ourbigclass@gmail.com.
[video]
Big Class is at the French Quarter Fest today! We’ll be in the kid’s area at the Historic Hermann-Grima House at 820 St Louis Street (just off Bourbon St) making a poetry and art zine for the upcoming Loving Festival. Stop by and say hi!
Another Big Class call for artists! You need to be in New Orleans for this one…
Playing pastels and water colors like instruments in yesterday’s jazz workshop.
Here’s Tuesdays update! So far the students have-
-Listened to Miles Davis to start the week, using his music as inspiration for writing and visual art. Local writer and educator Jason Hampton led the students through some of the basic tenets of jazz music. There will be much more to come from this particular workshop.
-also, artist Heather Muntzer led the students through a visual arts project, combining jazz and speed drawing.
Last week at Big Class was also incredible!
-On Tuesday, three of our new students participated in a poetry discussion, asking questions about the poetry and practicing how to think theoretically.
-Big Class had a group of visiting travelers on Wednesday. They came from San Jose, California, and they sat with the students discussing different types of food! Thanks again, folks, for stopping through.
Quindeja put this outside after homework help yesterday.
The particulars of the jazz program have changed and we want to make sure kids know about this opportunity.
The program will now run from 4-6 on Tuesdays and be offered to students 10-16. If students are able to stay, we will offer homework and writing help, as well as a safe space to read, write, and make art from 6-7:30.
Please pass on the flyer wherever you can and let us know if we can help in any way.
Big Class has kicked into high gear! This week we:
-Have started our food writing and newspaper workshops. Students have tasted broccoli raab, pancetta, and kale (on pizza), reported happenings on St. Claude Avenue and in the Antenna Gallery, made collages with the help of Kolaj Magazine, explored different kinds of food writing, and learned how to keep a journal to lead to larger pieces of writing.
-Started receiving INCREDIBLE art for Big Class No. 4, a book of fairy tales by ARISE Academy students, paired with partially colored illustrations.
-Continued our after school fantastical dirt bike project at Akili and our in-school magazine project at Dibert.
Thanks to all the writers, reporters, parents, and volunteers who made it happen. And join us this Sunday for our first drop-in workshop, a writing and music workshop with Icelandic musician Kria Brekkan, to explore what it means to be a girl in the 21st century. Open to girls ages 8-14.