The Column

Over the last few months, select students have been working on projects to pay homage to the storied history and current energy of New York City jazz. Partnering with the New York City Department of Buildings and Architecture Grille, students learned an array of technical skills and built their networks for the future. WHSAD would like to thank all of those who worked with our students through the creative process. In particular, Keldwin Portes and Jason Allocco from Architecture Grille; Lisa Lewis from the Department of Buildings; Dr. Mambo and the Experience Ensemble; and First Baptist Church of Crown Heights. The following are narratives from some of the participating students. The Jazz Grille project was a great … [Read more...]

Jean-Michel Basquiat was an extraordinary artist from New York City in the 1980s. Basquiat created very non-traditional pieces of art that pushed limits and boundaries, which can be seen through his vibrant use of color and intense brush strokes, as well as the unconventional objects he used as his canvas. His unique style gained him a large amount of prestige and fame in the white-European dominated art world, which I personally found amazing, considering he was a poverty stricken man of Puerto Rican and Haitian descent. When I, along with other students, was given the chance to explore this exhibit, I grew quite impressed by this man's story along with his complex art. From being extremely gifted in creativity and imagination along … [Read more...]

“Who is it that can tell me who I am?” It is such sentiment that makes a work such as King Learn transcendental. Wondering about identity is something prevalent in each high school student’s experience, and an adolescent often looks to others to help define identity. Therefore, when students examine William Shakespeare’s work, it is in those students’ best interests to see the Bard’s words as relevant to a modern context.   This year, Ms. Newton’s freshman English class has been studying Romeo and Juliet. Through this work, students have seen examples of relationship dynamics and impulsive nature commonly associated with adolescence. Therefore, the opportunity to see a modern day interpretation of King Lear permitted ninth … [Read more...]

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The Bushwick Generator is a redesign driven student project in collaboration with Toby Moskovits, Heritage Equity, and Kushner Architects. Students were tasked with redesigning a space for multipurpose use and thus, in the process, go through approvals for rezoning. During this portion of the process, students focused on rezoning and all the dimensions of such a complicated endeavor. Below, several parties involved with the project give their thoughts and insight on Bushwick Generator. Mr. Codio one of the supervisors on the Bushwick Generator project said: “This is the Bushwick Generator project with the developer Toby Moskovits, Heritage Equity, and as well as Kushner Architects.  What the students are doing is working on a … [Read more...]

From this past October to last week, students have been working with WHSAD teachers and community mentors in developing innovative products. Throughout the course of the Incubator project, students have learned how to plan, pitch, and execute on their ideas, and how to modify their work based on feedback from teachers and mentors. Due to the efforts of teachers Ms. Pia Moos and Mr. Ira Geringer, and mentors Sinclair Smith, Director of Groundfloor Incubator at School of Visual Arts; Noel Wiggins, co-founder of design and manufacturing company, Aeraware; and Bill Harvey, a sculptor and housewares designer, musician, supporter of WHSAD for many years; WHSAD students gained essential insight into the design process. The following are … [Read more...]

Spring is here, hibernation is done, get out of the house and have some fun.  Here are some ideas for you: There is a free prom dress giveaway on Sun, April 28th from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the PINK PRINCESS PARTY BOUTIQUE 1470 WILLIAMSBRIDGE BRONX, NEW YORK. All items are free for teens who attend on a first come first serve basis. One parent may accompany you if they like. There is one ticket per family. ITEMS INCLUDE: dresses in all sizes (new or in great condition), shoes, ties, jewelry, handbags and accessories. Do you want to develop your sketching skills and discover new ways of seeing as you draw live models in poses inspired by images of dancers from ancient artifacts? If you do,  illustrator and teaching … [Read more...]

On Thursday April 4th, WHSAD Students went on a trip to the Whitney Museum of American Art. Students got to have a tour of the museum and get in-depth information on specific art pieces and installations. Students were able to view works created by renowned artists like Isamu Noguchi. A majority of the installation was very relevant and spoke about issues that many of us experience on a daily basis. There were interactive installations such as Unexpected Growth which was an AR based experience. It allowed students to use an iPad to move around the city skyline but it was submerged under the ocean. Once closely examining the experience, students could see how pollution and littering has affected the landscape of our oceans. Furthermore, … [Read more...]

For the 2nd year in a row, The Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design juniors/seniors took part in Ruth Sergel’s living art that commemorates the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. On March 25th, 1911 the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire took the lives of 146 workers, mostly young immigrant women and girls. The tragedy began a movement to deal with dangerous working conditions in the city. This commemoration is a capstone for the students following a unit of study on immigrant communities at the turn of the 20th century. This year our students commemorate the lives of seven victims of the fire, many coming from the same neighborhoods in which these students live. The following are the names and addresses of the seven … [Read more...]

As the weather warms and the calendar pushes along, WHSAD seniors get closer to the culmination of their years of high school study. Such closure brings them closer to life beyond WHSAD, and while the "real world" and its trials and tribulations beckon, many students have already taken some significant steps into such reality. Through internships, after-school programs, and partner projects, WHSAD students, in particular the seniors, have had ample opportunities to get tastes of punching the clock and developing networks that they can call upon in their future career searches. One such example of real-world experience is this year's Bushwick Generator project. The following includes an overview of the project and student narratives … [Read more...]