Looking Back: 10 Years of Locust Art Builders
In conjunction with the 10th Anniversary of LAB, a Look Back with Monica Lopez de Victoria, Founding Artistic Director and Lead Mentor of Locust Art Builders
Tell us about the Locust Art Builders (a.k.a. LAB) program and how the idea was born 10 years ago.
Locust Art Builders (LAB) was born from an idea by previous Locust Projects’ Director, Chana Budgazad Sheldon who, after seeing the performances my sister Tasha and I, TM Sisters, organized with over 30 performers in our Miami dream project "Whirl Crash Go!" at Locust in 2009, approached me about developing a program for high schoolers. Between my being an educator, as well as a professional artist and demonstrating the ability to coordinate a group of 30 trick roller skaters, synchronized swimmers, dancers, music makers, and clothing designers, I was a clear fit to build an experimental program with creative teens!
The first year, we started LAB with about 15 students and allowed them to create a full professional exhibition in only two weeks. I led them through the physical and emotional side of making things together on a tight deadline. Chana and I were very impressed with their abilities when they were given the opportunity and resources. We immediately knew that we had to expand the program because it strongly impacted these kids' lives and career choices. I wanted to show them the reality of being a professional artist, the beautiful and the rough, so that they could make informed decisions for their own creative journeys.
What makes LAB special or distinctive from other summer experiences?
At the time when we started LAB there weren't any programs that focused on real life professional artist development for high schoolers. LAB is different because we let them create full blown exhibitions in an internationally respected experimental art space that usually mid-career artists show at. The students have almost total freedom. This usually is very new, exciting, and scary to them! We help them stretch by providing mentorship and resources. The program gives the students tons of space to express whatever they collectively want to create. They are able to soak up the knowledge and experience of past generations of Miami artists... keeping the waves moving forward!
What are the biggest challenges and most exhilarating moments you have experienced at LAB?
Hmmmm, well there have been a ton! I'd say the biggest challenges have come when the students have to communicate and learn how to work together towards a collective goal. Everyone's personalities, skills, backgrounds, and lives are all at different places, but in our program they are all respected as creators, not as little kids. Often when a student is given the chance to stretch more than they are used to, they get to grow and surprise themselves. We've had to show them how to have respectful discussions and how to resolve disagreements. It is so exciting to see LAB students have to step outside of their comfort levels and grow (as humans and as creators) as they get past hard moments and challenging situations. It makes me so happy when they become more confident in their abilities and overcome their fears. I love seeing each student glow when they get to show off their creations at the big opening with their friends and family. It makes me a proud art mom.
One moment that I will forever carry with me was when a parent came up to me at the exhibition opening and said "I think I finally understand my son". I get teary eyed thinking of it. This father told me that he is not a creative person and did not understand the things that his son was doing. He thought his son was wasting his time, but by seeing a big exhibition that his son was a part of, it gave him a bigger picture of what being an artist could actually be. I've had many parents thank us for the unique work and heart that we put into the program.
Tell us about some of the things your mentees have taught you throughout the years
Every single year that I do this summer program, I feel like I grow as a person. The students show me what is important to their generation. They are the future, so seeing into this future helps me be more relevant and empathetic. I get to learn about their contemporary worlds and trends. I have seen the shift of the analog world to the digital natives, by listening to their new creative languages.
I have learned about how world events affect the psychology of LAB teenagers. In this program we allow them to deeply discuss whatever issues are important to them, good and bad. One powerful exhibition by our students was about exits. It was right after the Parkland shooting, so ideas about security and escaping were very thick. I could see how scary it was through their eyes and how this was going to influence their future life decisions. I have learned a ton from all of them, but each year there are stand out little hero moments that inspire me. Working with so many young creators over the decade has proved to me what I have always felt to be true: artists are the antenna of society.
What can we expect from this year's virtual version of LAB?
Another thing that I am proud of in this program is that it has always shifted, changed, and grown each summer. Each year we try new things, so adapting to the current time with social distancing is just what is next! Often when our human resources and normal situations become limited, we are forced to become more creative. This year's online LAB program will have the same core as all of the other years: collaborative creating, professional development, letting their voices be heard, asking why, empowering them, and most importantly PLAY! I'm excited to see what will be created this year!
In one sentence, can you say what serving as lead mentor has meant to you all these years?
Seeing into the future.
WATCH AND LISTEN to past Locust Art Builders Alumni speak about the impact LAB has had on their lives and creative careers in this video produced by Monica Lopez de Victoria:
View a recap and student testimonials from Locust Art Builders 2021 in the video and final report below:
Learn more about LAB here.
Locust Art Builders 2020 was made possible through lead support from the Hillsdale Fund Inc. and the Albert and Jane Nahmad Family Foundation. Additional support provided by The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor Board and County Commissioners, The Children's Trust; The Kirk Foundation; Susan and Richard Arregui; Miami Salon Group; and donors to the Team LAB Annual Education Fund.
Locust Art Builders 2021 was made possible through lead support from the Hillsdale Fund Inc. and the Albert and Jane Nahmad Family Foundation. Additional support provided by The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor Board and County Commissioners, The Children’s Trust; The Kirk Foundation; Susan and Richard Arregui and the Friends of Next Generation. We also want to thank ARTEZA Art Supplies, the official art supplies sponsor of LAB 2021, and VANS, our special 2021 design partner.