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, July 22, 2009

MLAB SAY YES FLICKR!!

Please check out our BRAND NEW flickr online photo album, compiled by Sam Harmon, Kauffman Engagement Fellow, Say Yes Superstar, and MLABer extraordinaire! It includes select images from each of the Syracuse schools that MLAB has visited has part of the Say Yes to Education Summer Camp! It contains images of and by rising 1st-4th graders with whom Sam, MLAB, and myself have worked this summer:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlab-sayyes/sets/


Also, please check out Sam's blog. It is a work of art:

http://moreorlessthisandthat.blogspot.com/




Friday, July 17, 2009

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

click on the image for the MLAB Live! flier!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

MLAB @ SculptureCenter this Saturday!

click on the image to enlarge, for description and schedule of the Sculpture Center Event THIS SATURDAY, JULY 18th!


Tuesday, July 7, 2009

MLAB Says Yes!

Tomorrow, MLAB starts our residency with the Say Yes to Education Summer Camp! Sam Harmon, Imagining America Fifth Year Engagement Fellow and original MLAB team member, and I will be traveling to six SCSD Elementary Schools working with many fabulous Say Yes campers!

Check back soon for more updates throughout MLAB's Say Yes summer!

SAY YES: SYRACUSE