Slideshow of works from Life Pieces to Masterpieces. All images property of Life Pieces to Masterpieces.
BURSTING THE BUBBLE
LIFE PIECES TO MASTERPIECES
“I want to make our cupcake a POWER RANGER!”
This is how a group of 3 –and -4-year-old apprentices (students) at Life Pieces to Masterpieces decided to decorate their cupcakes.
Life Pieces to Masterpieces is a program aimed at African-American boys and young men in the underserved areas of the District of Columbia. Founded in 1996, LPTM fosters creative drive and uses art as a form of collaboration and meditation. The apprentices practice a specific form of art in the style of founder and artist Larry Quick.
Today, the after-school program serves 117 African American young men ages 3-25 still using an art method like Quick’s with a program built on the sturdy foundation of their human development system. The majority of apprentices live in Wards 7 and 8.
“It’s easy to live in DC and never escape your Foggy Bottom bubble, to never go east of the river,” said development manager Mignotae Kebede, who grew up in an Ethiopian family in California.
Typically, 5-6 apprentices work together on each piece. The process starts with meditation and journaling. Then it opens up to a group discussion, sketches of what the art will transform into, and finally, the group heads to the art room where they paint their canvases and stitch together a creation.
Eventually they add a title and a poem or story to accompany the piece before it is complete. Several of the works created by apprentices of Life Pieces are currently being curated and will be displayed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture set to open in 2016.
FINDING YOUR MEDIUM
LIFE PIECES TO MASTERPIECES
Life Pieces to Masterpieces has a broad definition of creativity and encourages the apprentices to understand that everyone is born with creative abilities, something they are good at. They just have to find the medium—whether it be yoga, music, poetry, science or hip hop.
But some of the apprentices find that they truly do have a passion for the roots of LPTM, in the art room.
“I get to express my feelings without judgment,” said Cateo, 11. “It just feels good.”
A seven-year veteran of Life Pieces, Cateo said he didn’t really get into the art until about four years ago. His favorite piece is his self-portrait.
As an International Affairs and Anthropology major at George Washington University, Mignotae spent much time traveling and studying development in other countries. She came realize, however, that similar issues were happening right in her own backyard -- that she could apply a lot of what she learned abroad locally.
“For me, I was always surrounded by black males, growing up with two older brothers and my father being one of 12 sons,” she said. “Then I saw Eric Garner — I don’t know if it was because it was actually on video or what, but it affected me. When I heard about Life Pieces in college, I had to do it.”
SHIELDS AND CUPCAKES
LIFE PIECES TO MASTERPIECES
Through multiple programs and workshops, Life Pieces to Masterpieces pursues its mission to “develop character and leadership, unlock potential, and prepare African American boys and young men to transform their lives and communities.”
The Shield of Faith is one of the many building blocks of the philosophy behind LPTM. Composed of a wheel of several colors, each represents a value. For example, brown signifies discipline and black, a combination of all of the other colors, signifies leadership.
LPTM uses the Shield to encourage noble behavior as well as a way to teach the apprentices symbolism at an early age.
The tiny cupcake-makers were decorating their treats to represent a value from the Shield.
“We made Power Ranger cupcakes because they’re leaders…” said Josh, 3. He looked around to see the positive reaction of the classroom. Then, he asked the ultimate question.
“Can we eat them now?”
About the Author: Olivia Rios is a writer for the Daily Do Good. She thinks Power Rangers are cool and cupcakes are even better!