DENZEL WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

I am honored to be a vendor for the BOCES of Westchester, where I serve as an Art Instructor. One of the schools I have the privilege of teaching at is the Denzel Washington School of the Arts, a dynamic and newly established institution located in Mount Vernon, New York. The school, which opened its doors in 2022, is dedicated to fostering creativity and excellence in the arts, and I’m excited to be a part of its growth and development.

In 2023, I had the unique opportunity to work closely with the senior class on several impactful projects. One of my key roles was to collaborate with the students to design school uniforms and merchandise that truly reflected the spirit and identity of the school. This was an exciting challenge, as we aimed to create designs that were not only visually appealing but also meaningful for the students, reflecting their pride in being part of such an inspiring institution.

In addition to the uniforms and merch, I worked with the senior class on a significant beautification project to enhance the school's environment. At the time, the school's facilities were still in the early stages of development, and some areas felt a bit worn or underutilized. We decided to tackle this head-on by involving the students in transforming the school’s physical space into a vibrant and inspiring learning environment. Together, we conceptualized and executed a series of mural designs for the main floor, floor graphics, and motivational banners that now adorn the hallways. The goal was to create an atmosphere that not only reflected the artistic spirit of the school but also uplifted the students' daily experience. Every senior was hands-on in the process, from brainstorming ideas to executing the designs, giving them a sense of ownership and pride in the final product.