About
Access Art provides students with a safe space to explore their creativity, positive adult role models, empowering activities, valuable opportunities for leadership, and alternatives to high risk behavior. Each year youth build on the comprehensive art skills they learn, deepen the connection to their own creative process, enhance their ability to affect their communities, and finally gain skills to become teaching assistants, mentors and entrepreneurs.
HISTORY
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Access Art was founded in 2000 by community artist and Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) Professor Tony Shore and community mural artist Shawn James. After completing a Master of Fine Arts Degree at Yale University School of Art in 1997 Mr. Shore was inspired and compelled to return to the Morrell Park community where he grew up to work with at-risk youth in partnership with Mr. James. Access Art's home base is now located in the old Enoch Pratt Library where Mr. Shore spent many after school hours drawing during his adolescence. In 2008, Access Art merged with The Youthlight Project, an award winning and highly regarded after school program in the City, in order to better serve youth in Southwest Baltimore.
WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED
Youth Served
Access Art has directly served over 1000 youth.
Murals & Media
Youth have created 14 large scale murals and produced 8 public service billboard campaigns tackling issues in their community generating over 240,000 media hits.
Artwork
Youth have sold over $7,000 worth of artwork. Youth have been in numerous exhibitions including at the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum.
Graduations
85% of Access Art students 18 and over have graduated high school or earned a GED.
Scholarships
Students have received college scholarships totaling $11,000 based on art portfolios and work produced in the Access Art programs.
School Attendance
Youth enrolled in Access Art programs consistently attend their regular school day more often than their non-enrolled peers.
Job Skills
One of our former students is now a full instructor for Access Art. Others have been hired by local non-profits for their photography skills.
Self Worth
85% youth in our programs consistently report that their self worth, sense of hope, and creativity has grown due to our programs.
STAFF
Marshall Clarke- Executive Director
Tiffany Jones- Director of Programs and Equity Initiatives
Elizabeth Lounsbury- Morrell Park Community School Coordinator
Susan Tuberville- Morrell Park OST Site Coordinator
Chelsi Johnson- Visual Arts Instructor- Morrell Park 5+
Jessie Houff- Visual Arts Instructor- Morrell Park 5+
Elaine Foster- Visual Arts Instructor- Wildwood K-1
Marcus Ross- Visual Arts Instructor- Wildwood K-1
Zipporah Lockett- Visual Arts Instructor- Wildwood 2-3
Lauren Lyde- Visual Arts Instructor- Wildwood 2-3
Antoinella Peterkin- Visual Arts Instructor- Wildwood 4-5
Keisha Butler - Visual Arts Instructor- Wildwood 4-5
Linnea Poole- Visual Arts Instructor- Wildwood 6-8
Kai Miles- Visual Arts Instructor- Wildwood 6-8
Trevor Crest- Site Manager- Commodore John Rodgers
Nick Dvorak - Visual Arts Instructor- Commodore John Rodgers 4-8
Kenneth Clemons- Visual Arts Instructor- Commodore John Rodgers 4-8
Lynette Rodgers- Visual Arts Instructor- Commodore John Rodgers 4-8
Joshua Olsen- Visual Arts Instructor
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Jess Gartner- Board President
Founder & CEO of Allovue Software Company
Shawn James- Board Treasurer
Owner of Mural Masters/ Co-founder of Access Art
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Mary Beth Muscara-- Board Secretary
Artist/ Sculptor/ Illustrator
Mark L. Carter- Board Member
Executive Director of New Song Community Center
Ed Mullin- Board Member
Chief Information Officer, VP - Think Systems
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Michelle Santos- Board Member
Director of Journalism & Media Arts at Richard Wright Public Charter School
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Archie Veale- Board Member
Department Chair and Instructor for Baltimore School for the Arts
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Michael Wilson- Board Member
Dispatch Supervisor with Baltimore Gas and Electric
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Jeremy LaMaster- Board Member
Research Program Manager at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
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Chrystle Norris- Board Member
Community Member Morrell Park/ Parent of Access Art students
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Alexandra Lohrbach - Board Member
Senior Associate, Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative at Annie E. Casey Foundation
BOARD
SUPPORTERS & PARTNERS
Betty Lee & Dudley P. Digges Memorial Fund
Helen P. Denit
Trust
Eddie & Sylvia Brown Foundation
Morrell Park
Elementary Middle School
Wildwood Elementary Middle Community School
Tides Foundation
GUTIERREZ
MEMORIAL FUND
