MLAB MISSION STATEMENT


The Mobile Literacy Arts Bus (MLAB) is an artist-run, renovated recreational vehicle that exists as a flexible space open to community members’ proposals for alternative educational and cultural programming.

MLAB is the collaborative effort of the 2007-2008 Social Sculpture class at Syracuse University, comprised of 10 art and architecture students and lead by artist and Director of Community Initiatives in the Visual Arts of Syracuse University, Marion Wilson. Our mission was to transform a used, 1984 Recreational Vehicle Bus into a Mobile Literacy and Arts Bus for use by the Syracuse City School District and the greater Syracuse Community. MLAB serves as a physical manifestation of Syracuse University’s Scholarship in Action initiative, by pairing University resources with community needs in an attempt to address the staggering drop out rates in the Syracuse City School District High Schools. Through the School of Education at Syracuse University, incredible curricula that bridge photography, poetry and literacy currently exist within the public schools-- however due to a crisis of space, the schools don't always have the space or resources to house it. MLAB is this space. The bus serves as a mobile classroom, digital photo lab, gallery space, and community center. As a team, we did it all: demolition, design, and construction.

MLAB is made possible from the generous support of the School of Education at Syracuse University and Entitiative.


Wednesday, May 27, 2009

MLAB on MacJannet Website


A few weeks ago, MLAB was selected as a finalist for the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship. Since then, MacJannet Prize website has profiled MLAB along with other finalists.

Check out the profiles here.

Congrats and good luck to all projects as you continue your inspiring work!

Thanks to everyone that has helped make MLAB possible!

Click on the picture below to see the MLAB profile in the "Domestic service-learning or course-based programs" section of the MacJannet Prize site.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

MLAB and How Radiant is the Sun...

MLAB will be holding a showcase of MLAB projects and activities, in tandem with the How Radiant is the Sun... Opening Reception.

Please join us, and see all of what we've been up to... all in one place, but for one night only!

Thursday May 7th, 2009
5-7 pm
Syracuse Stage
Irving Ave.
Syracuse, New York

Projects include, but are not limited to:
  • aRTshopPE: selections from an event staged in the Near Westside Neighborhood by Marion Wilson's SCU 300/500: Artist as Entrepreneur class
  • The Lake Project: selections from the work of Sarah McCoubrey and Marion Wilson's SCU 300/500: The Lake Project class on Onondaga Lake
  • Alphabet in Your Own Back Yard: Artist books and images from Professor Gail Hoffman's 2-D foundations collaborations with the Syracuse City School District
  • Sibylline TXT Syracuse: a city-wide text based installation by Architecture Professor Anda French.

click to view larger image!

How Radiant is the Sun if It Hides Behind the Clouds

Please come celebrate the incredible work of the the students from the spring semester that worked with MLAB and the Syracuse University TRM 300/500 and ENG 650 classes!

The opening reception, How Radiant is the Sun if it Hides Behind the Clouds, is:

Thursday May 7th, 2009
5-7pm
Syracuse Stage:
Storch Theatre Gallery

Syracuse Stage is Located at 820 E. Genessee St. Syracuse, NY.
Please enter the gallery on Irving Ave. Street Parking is available.


Please click the invitation to view larger!