Final Project Artist Statement

Ever since I can remember, I’ve never been able to do anything artistic; I can’t draw, paint, or play an instrument. So, when I signed up to be involved in the arts & crafts program at Escuela Vieau, I don’t know what I was thinking, or expecting. Since February, I’ve worked with paint, felt, glitter, glue, glitter glue, paper-mâché, crayons, markers, and every other craft supply you can imagine. Art and being creative surpass language barriers and appeal to everyone’s sense of self expression and individuality. Actions speak louder than words, and I think that art does too. Working with the children at Escuela Vieau has opened my mind and my imagination. Through working together on various projects, they have absorbed me into their culture, traditions, and some of their language. I chose to have arts & crafts as my theme for my final project because I feel that it’s the primary way that I connected with the school community of faculty and students. Although we sometimes don’t speak the same language, the Escuela Vieau community has influenced my life more than I could have imagined.

By composing the images in my final project chronologically, I wanted to show my physical and mental journey through the halls of Escuela Vieau. I start by showing the school’s logo, a symbol of pride and multiculturalism. Then, I address the positive attitude practiced by the school community. I never felt like an outsider or intruder within the walls of Escuela Vieau. I feel like the message of attitude making “a world of difference” is especially relevant today because of the current immigration debates happening in our country and around the world. I move on through the space we typically do arts & crafts in to display the wall paintings of Daffy Duck & Spongebob Squarepants. I move down the hallways to show more crafts that are displayed on the walls. Dr. Seuss is not only an icon, but he’s an influential writer for children of all cultures, generations, and languages. From there, I show the different art projects I’ve done with the children throughout the months. The time with them seems to have flown by, especially when I consider the friendships I’ve made and experiences we’ve shared. I wanted to end my presentation with images of me leaving the school and taking my newfound knowledge, acceptance, and experiences into the surrounding community and beyond. Ironically, one side of the school lies on W. National Avenue. Not only is it important that we be accepting of other cultures, languages, and peoples nowadays, but we need to come together as a nation in these times of confusion, ignorance, and blind prejudice. This service learning experience has made me truly feel like I am a multicultural individual.

Final Film Project

Journal Entry 4

Today, Emily Brzezinski and I went down to Escuela Vieau to volunteer, but we found out that there was no after school program today. Instead, a Mother’s Day celebration was scheduled for earlier this morning. I was very disappointed that I would not be able to work with the children on their Mother’s Day projects, but I will hopefully be able to finish my hours next week sometime between classes and final exams. Instead of getting back on the bus right away, Emily and I talked to the woman at the Boys & Girls Club table for a short time before walking around the neighborhood. The colorful houses and friendly faces in the surrounding community always put a smile on my face, and since the sun was shining, it made the walk to the bus stop even more enjoyable. We looked around to see where the Walker’s Point signs led and proceeded to walk down W. National Ave. to S. 1^st Street. There are numerous individually owned taverns and restaurants on National Ave., which is refreshing to see instead of all of the chain stores and fast food syndicates, which typically make up city streets. I have a newfound appreciation for the community surrounding Escuela Vieau and its school community.

Poster to Billboard Contest Winners

Milwaukee Fire Department Fire Chief Douglas Holton and Lt. Brian Smith are in a photo with the poster to billboard winners.


Aime B., first grader at Escuela Vieau School won first place with her poster project about fire safety...

Media Essay Proposal

For my final project, I want to focus more on the theme of arts & crafts and how it has helped me bridge the gap between cultures. I feel like if I showed more photos of the projects I’ve worked on with the children, activities we’ve done together, and added music that we sometimes listen to while working, I would be able to better demonstrate how the children and I interact with each other. Also, I might think about adding some pictures of the hallways of the school and surrounding community to build a sense of art and culture in everyday life. This will create a more central theme than my last project.

Hispanic Tips

Website for Hispanic News & Info about the Milwaukee Latino community

Immigration Protest

Milwaukee's Hispanic Community speaks out against anti-immigration legislation