Uptown Summer 2020 participated in media and design projects as part of their work for the Sanctuary. Lead by Uptown Summer coordinator Jamel Mosely, the youth conducted “brand storming” sessions.
In designing a brand, there are a lot of questions. First and foremost is the question, What are the values? Other questions that were asked are: What is the story? What problem does the brand solve?
In answering these questions, the youth used various media tools. The Sanctuary’s mission of using art and participatory action means that our work is driven by the people in our community space. So before they began their work of developing branding for Health Autonomy Clinic and Nature Lab, they used their artistic talents to produce a visual representation of their brands as individual people. Words the youth used to express their values included expression, inclusion, togetherness, freedom, justice, family, and creativity.
The youth designed the flyer that was used for the Health Autonomy Clinic’s Black August People’s Clinic. In the garden, they used recorders to capture “found sounds” of the Sanctuary’s environmental education campus, which they then mixed in an audio work station. And at the future North Troy Art, Technology, and Urban Research in Ecology (NATURE) Lab site, they led a design charrette to guide the architect on what elements the space should have.
Uptown Summer participants got experience producing media
Genesis finding sounds in a squash plant in Collard City Growers
Genesis in Collard City Growers garden on 6th Avenue.
A hood protects from drizzle while a mask protects from coronavirus while finding sounds in Collard City Growers.
Uptown Summer’s Alfonso and Genesis recording found sounds in Collard City Growers.
Genesis finding sounds in Collard City Growers during COVID-19
Uptown Summer’s Taria finding sounds on a peach tree in Collard City Growers.
Alfonso standing next to the chicken coop in Collard City Growers
Uptown Summer youth took their found sounds from Collard City Growers and mixed them inside the Sanctuary.
Water Justice Lab and Uptown Summer often worked together during the summer of 2020.
The Uptown Summer youth participated in a design charrette to plan the outdoor space of the new NATURE Lab building.
While the Sanctuary space was closed to the public because of coronavirus, Uptown Summer youth sent four weeks using the space in a socially-distanced way.
While the Sanctuary space was closed to the public because of coronavirus, Uptown Summer youth sent four weeks using the space in a socially-distanced way.
Uptown Summer Amajea working on a map of the Sanctuary’s permaculture and environmental education campus in North Central Troy.
Uptown Summer worked to create a map of the Sanctuary’s permaculture and environmental education campus.
Creativity and self-expression help us grow.
Designing flyers for the Black August: People’s Clinic event
The Black August: People’s Clinic flyer was designed by Uptown Summer youth.
When we think “brand” we usually think of products. But a brand is also a personal philosophy about how you express yourself to the world.
Uptown Summer Youth express what their personal “brand” is.
How do you communicate your brand?
Personal “brand-storming”
Youth designing their personal brands
Dr. Francis Coughlin joined forces with Uptown Summer to plan the Black August: People’s Clinic event
Uptown Summer in the Sanctuary’s main space looked a little different this year
Uptown Summer Coordinator Jamel leads a “brand-storming” session
