Fulfilling a dream in the arts

An open house is scheduled for Aug. 2.
& lt;a href=mailto:viviano@vindy.com & gt;By JoANNE VIVIANO & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Standing in the basement of the former Stambaugh School building, the three partners share a dream.
They look at the partially repainted walls and molded ceiling tiles that enclose the gymnasium.
Martha Brogdon sets her eyes on the wooden stage that grows from a side wall.
That, she said, is the platform she hopes to fill with children's feet.
Brogdon, is artistic director of the new Pablo Picasso Academy on the city's West Side. Her forte is theater, and she wants to watch students explore their creativity on stage, writing scripts, forming characters, building scenery and acting.
The Youngstown woman has joined school Administrator Marines Ramos and co-administrator John Brown in their goal of turning the building -- which sat closed for seven years -- into a school that focuses on the arts.
Renovation
They plan to open in September. They have filled the past months with renovating the building, removing old furniture, plastering and painting walls, and airing out the basement gym.
Its ceiling can't be cleaned, Ramos said, and must come down. But that also will create more space to shoot basketballs.
But new paint and basketball aren't the only things on the minds of this trio. The group also is researching curriculum plans from across the nation, planning course work, putting together a five-year plan and seeking accreditation from state officials.
The private school will offer core subjects and technology integrated with the arts.
Community support
Until now, funding has come from their pockets, donors and in-kind donations from landlord ARMO Ltd., Compco Industries, Sherwin Williams and a McCartney Road grocer. Come September, tuition is $80 per week or $320 per month. The group must recruit 50 pupils; the school is open to those from throughout Mahoning and surrounding counties.
"Children who struggle to learn basic science and math skills have been successful through the arts," Ramos said.
"The arts can reach students when traditional studies can't," added Brogdon, who has a bachelor's degree and professional theater experience. "That's our purpose. To show that. ... This community has always had a lot of talented kids; we want to showcase them. ... I want to send [graduating] students to New York -- Juilliard, let's go there."
Classrooms won't have desks, but sofas and beanbag chairs, and there will be a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 12-to-1. Levels are skill-based with children grouped by ages, from pre-kindergarten day care through 17. Older kids in a group can serve as role models for the youngsters, Brogdon said, "because that's what community is all about."
The school will not only focus on academics, but also on families, with a social worker and outreach staff to visit homes.
Teaching the arts
Fifteen teachers, with master's and doctorate degrees, will teach the three R's as well as subjects to include painting, drawing, drama, dancing, voice, puppetry, photography, computer graphics, computer-assisted weaving, modeling, ceramics and pottery, mural painting and culinary arts.
Adult courses will be offered in the evening. "Little Picasso" classes are planned for Saturdays, and a summer "Rosie's Girls" program will teach girls plumbing, soldering and carpentry.
Brown said the teachers are dedicated to their roles and all share "a vision" with the administrators. The newest staff member is Chris Yambar of Youngstown, a multimedia artist who has written for "The Simpsons" comic book series. He will help with marketing and publicity, Ramos said.
Right now, the group needs more volunteers to help re-create a school. They also have sought assistance from the Ohio Department of Jobs and Families Work Experience Program. But, until now, they have labored mostly on their own with help from the teachers. They also seek church and business support
Beginning with focus
On Aug. 2, the group plans an open house and registration drive at the school from noon to about 7 p.m. with exhibitions of teacher work, including skits, singing and dancers, a food fair, raffle, and children's activities. (Call (330) 270-8650.)
A second iron in the fire is a plan to buy a second school building on the city's North Side. If successful, the school would become the location of another arts-based school, this one for at-risk pupils who have dropped out or have been expelled from traditional schools. Hours there would be nontraditional, running from 1 to 9 p.m.
"I have seen the worst of kids do a turnaround," Brogdon said. "I see kids take pride in what they do or work out anger on the stage."
But the focus between now and September is preparing the academy at Donald and Hazelwood avenues for its first group of artistic children. The task is an uphill battle, the three said, but they are confident they will be successful.
"We know it because we've got it here," said Brogdon, placing her hand over her heart. "It's been a dream for a long time to get these kids an art-based program. We're going to do it. We have to make it."
& lt;a href=mailto:viviano@vindy.com & gt;viviano@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;