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In addition to having an opening reception and party for TEN, this year’s anniversary exhibition, our artists are acknowledging the milestone of an entire decade of Make Studio in a BIG way! They are putting on their first fashion show, fittingly titled “Make it Work”.

Thirty-two individual looks, designed by the artists and modeled by them and volunteers, will be taking to our rainbow runway at 5:00PM on February 22 in our Schwing Showroom Gallery.

To prepare for the runway, the artists have spent the past few months designing and crafting clothing, accessory, and wearable items (with considerable look-tracking and wrangling overseen by staffer Terri Ball), have completed workshops in the studio and at MICA’s Fiber Arts department (coordinated by MICA community fellow Laurel Stewart), and have perfected their model walks.

The artists applied a wide array of inspirations to their looks, and each is going for a different impact on their audience. For example:

Louis, about his scenic robe: “I like landscapes because they take me everywhere.”

Malcolm: “I chose an apron because they are useful for working in the kitchen. I like aprons!”

Dasha: “A crazy cat lady in training, a young artsy girl who likes to crochet and be the talk of the town.”

Gary: “It isn’t often you see a cartoon walrus.”

Bess: “I wanted to show a little bit creepy and goth.” (Of course!)

Chuck: “I stitched the rope to make a neckline, and added some heart shape leopard print fabric and did some other things to it, it is pretty cool.”

Click through our slideshow, below, to get a sense of all their hard work and a sneak peek of what you’ll see during the show! 

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by Tyrone Weedon

On my left is East North Avenue and that is where I live.  This  is my home, me and my family have lived in this household for the past decades until my four sisters moved out and have a place of their own to start a family years later. 

It has been through good times and bad times since losing my mother, but my family were always close and we have that special bond that has never been broken.  Now, I am a grown up living in this household by myself…But, not always.

To my right is Greenmount and North Ave, it is very gritty and urban.  A lot of craziness down here in this neighborhood, the traffic, the bar hangouts, the drugs, the knuckleheads, the cruel people, the incidents in these past years, and the struggles about making a living and hustling every day to make money.

Despite all the stress out here in the ‘hood in between, but there is always a beauty out there in the streets.  I always imagine about escaping  the ‘hood and go somewhere that is peaceful out there, but I had to learn to overcome my fears first. 

I like going places where it’s less stressful and less noisy.  I love going to the library, bookstores, comic shops, movies, art classes and places that I never went before.  I want to go to the park and take in a nice walk and look around and see the wonderful trees growing beautiful.  I like sitting at the bottom of the tree to stay in the shade and sketch everything I see in the park, and what is going through my mind.  I want to sit down on the grass with a towel and meditate my mind and listen to my surroundings.  I like to sit on the bench and think about life and my future, I dream about riding a bicycle in the park. 

One day, I wished about having a good women, getting married and starting a family so I can play catch with my son.  Maybe someday in the future, but right now, I have got a lot to learn and a long way to go as far as maturity and responsibility, but I am doing everything the best I can for me, my family, my friends, my support system and most importantly in heaven… FOR MY MOTHER AND GOD.

Emmy nominations were just announced, and it just so happens that artists Chuck and Iragi were recently recognized for their achievements, outside of Make Studio, by the Maryland Association of Community Services. They wanted to share their awards with us and with all of you!

Chuck

I won the Achievement Award from the Department of Disability Services. I won the award because I advocated for myself with living arrangements and self-care.

I plan on hanging my award at the ARC office where everyone can see it. It is always important to ask for what you want and do not be shy.

Iragi

I got the award in May. It is the Maryland Association of Community Service Award. I won for being an unstoppable worker at Shoppers, even McDonalds, Irvine Nature Center, Petco, and finally Maryland Public Television.

I clean and raise all the items. I enjoy my work and am still at Shoppers.

I was chosen by the organization for the award. I had never won an award before I got this one on May 23rd. It made me feel really happy to win.

Congratulations to Chuck, Iragi, and all the other award winners!

There’s been a lot of buzz in the studio lately about the new live action version of Disney’s Aladdin. That inspired movie talk among Wednesday artists Iragi, Seth, and Gary (who has previously created artwork related to the animated Aladdin).

Iragi: I give it a 10/10! I liked everything.

Gary: I saw this movie over the weekend and really liked it. I don’t think it is as good as the original cartoon movie but enjoyed it.

Seth: I first saw the original version when I was 8 years old. I loved the movie and was looking forward to seeing the live action one and it was different from the original. Jasmine was a lot nicer about Aladdin making up lies instead of telling the truth about being a prince. Whether Aladdin is a prince or not – Jasmine cares about him more in the live action movie.

Gary: The plot was almost the same as the original but had a different twist. There was a new song called ‘Speechless’ sung by Jasmine that’s so powerful it gave me goosebumps. I enjoyed it as much as the Beast’s song ‘Evermore’ in the live action Beauty and the Beast.

Seth: I give the movie a 10/10. It was excellent and Will Smith did a superb job as the genie. I really liked when the genie controlled Aladdin to show him how to dance. I missed Robin Williams as the genie, but if Robin Williams was alive, he would be proud of Will Smith.

Gary: I watched the movie with my family, and they enjoyed it as well. Will Smith as the Genie is my favorite character in the movie. He doesn’t think he’s Robin Williams, but Smith did a great job! He even paid tribute to Robin in his social media account.

Iragi: The genie is my favorite. I liked Will Smith’s version in this movie more than Robin Williams in 1992. My favorite part is when Aladdin got the lamp.

Seth: My other favorite characters are the sultan, Jasmine, Aladdin, the genie, and Jafar (even though he was mean), Iago, the magic carpet, Abu, the cave of wonders, and the lamp.

Iragi: I like how Aladdin fell in love with Jasmine. I like the genie, Jafar, Jasmine, Abu, Iago, Sultan, Aladdin, and even Raja, Jasmine’s tiger.

Iragi: My new artwork is inspired by the movie. It is Will Smith and Robin Williams as the two genies from both movies together. My favorite song ‘You Ain’t Got a Friend Like Me’ is written at the bottom in the Aladdin font.

Gary: My next movie plans include seeing Secret Life of Pets 2, Toy Story 4, the live action Lion King, and Frozen 2.

Due to a highly threatening weather forecast on the originally scheduled day of Powerpoints & Pizza Pies, we moved this year’s installment of PPT Nite (People Presenting Together) @ Make Studio to our reception for (Re)Shaping last month. We love partnering up with PPT Nite, because it offers our artists a great opportunity to hone their presentation skills and share their (sometimes surprising) personal interests!

Unfortunately several presenting artists and audience members (including Dasha, who previewed her presentation here) couldn’t make it on the new date, so — ICYMI — a sampling of the presenters have gamely shared their presentations with everyone. Enjoy!

Tyrone presents “Stan Lee”

Dasha presents “Corporate Bears”

Louis presents “Pizza and Concept Cars”

Make Studio will be hosting our first Portfolio Review Day this Saturday, 4/20! 

Aspiring artists with disabilities, ages 16 and up, who are looking for suggestions about their art and future creative work are invited to bring their art for a FREE review with Make Studio staff and artists. 

EVERYONE is invited to stick around, or show up at 1PM after the reviews, for a special prevention by autism and employment expert Zosia Zaks.

Gemma will be on of our artists who is present that day, so in advance of the event she’s provided a brief “review” (a walk-through) of her own body of artwork.

Queen Susan: The Gentle (in progress)

“Queen Susan is one of my favorite characters from Narnia. I am reflecting on her character and putting my own spin on it with color and design.”

Mother Nature

“I find nature to be very relaxing, so I wanted to make a piece about that. Mother Nature has on a crown because she is a queen. She is also holding flowers because I love flowers. She is standing in front of a mixture of sun and flowers.”

Jimi May

“I am a big fan of Jimi May and follow him on Instagram. I included his name on the artwork so everyone knows exactly who he is. I also designed the tattoos on him to give it my own spin.”

Happy

“This piece shows calm happiness. The colors are bright and happy, but the figure is more calm. She holds her hands together to honor herself.”