Spotlight on Tiyonna!

Tiyonna Baker, a summer apprentice making impacts on her fellow apprentices within the first week, shares her interests and goals with BYA!

What are you doing with BYA this summer? 

• Tiyonna is enrolled in Faith’s photography class, Miss L and Mathilde’s fashion design class, and has been working with Makaila on goal development and career plans. Apart from keeping busy with BYA’s classes, Tiyonna is also a member of the Games committee and Showcase committee where she is helping organize the summer showcase, planning food preparation, and panning out ideas and music. 

What is the most interesting thing you have learned this summer?

• Photography and meeting new people that enjoy the same things and same interest in art. Tiyonna hopes to gain more hobbies, like photography and sewing.

What has been your favorite project so far?

• Tiyonna’s favorite project, so far, has been dyeing the clothes and making her own piece of clothing. She got to learn how to take measurements and get better at drawing and crafting which she is excited to do on her own in the future.

What is something that you are looking forward to this summer?

• Tiyonna is looking forward to sharing her artwork with everyone and seeing how everybody’s projects turn out at the showcase!

Has this class impacted the type of art you want to make? If so, how?

• It has! The fashion classes have inspired her to start designing her own clothes. The class with faith has helped her take photos more seriously, intentionally, and in depth to help benefit herself and her future. Tiyonna is looking forward to starting her own business in art and later come out with her own clothing line, which she’s already been working on. 

What do you want to do when you’re older/career interest?

• Go to college and get a masters in zoology or veterinary medicine!

People have helped her look at things differently and helped her realize there are other ways to do things that she can use in the future, such as making clothes and taking photos. Tiyonna is already having fun and enjoying her time at BYA!  

Favorite book: The girl with silver eyes 

Favorite athlete: John Merant

Favorite song: OUI by Jeremih 

Favorite artist: Tiyonna taylor 

Favorite medium/type of art: Acrylic painting 

Favorite quote: “Everything happens for a reason”

BYA X FILA Collab

BYA had the opportunity to work with FILA for their Black History and Women's History Month campaigns! Along with BYA's executive and deputy director, young people participated in a photo shoot and shared about their art practice. The campaign features current apprentices as well as alumni. Check out all the posts and videos here.

We are continuing our partnership with FILA: they are supporting youth leaving detention centers and working with us on various parts of our programming.

Read below to see more photos and hear what it was like for youth and staff to be in the shoot!

Laylah and Chazz were two apprentices who were part of the FILA photoshoot.

Laylah shared the following: “The FILA photoshoot was a good experience for me. Since I never did a professional photoshoot for a company/ business before. It was exciting being a part of an ad or brand.

My favorite part was the “getting ready” part. Where I’d put on the clothes and shoes then get my makeup fixed up and have professional pictures taken. It was like I was a model or modeling! Then seeing myself in the campaign brighten up my day. I felt like I was a part of something big. Seeing myself on FILA's Instagram and story felt unreal. The FILA photo shoot was truly a blessing experience.”

Leisha:

Being part of the FILA shoot and seeing it online was surreal. My favorite part of the whole day was seeing the youth come out of their shell and be themselves so confidently. It was great to have BYA and the apprentices have a moment to shine and share what we do and why we do it.

Damon:

It's always cool to be involved with an iconic brand I've been wearing since my youth. I act and model so, I'm used to getting gigs with larger companies. Fila has always been a staple of my wardrobe and I'm happy to actually have a relationship with the corporate office. Being recognized is always a plus, but being recognized and looking fly is a huge bonus.

Thank you to the team at FILA, specifically Kiki, Sydney, and Foam Creative Agency for the opportunity, continued partnership, and for supporting youth inside detention centers and in the community in Baltimore.

Spotlight on Mariah

Mariah, an apprentice since July 2022, shares her interests, future goals and inspiration!

Mariah in Graffiti Alley. The photo was taken by a studio apprentice in the summer 2022 program.

What do you love to write?

Mariah said she loves to write relatable stories, especially with themes of death and grief, issues that we can all relate to.

What do you do for fun?

Mariah loves to write and paint for fun, and her favorite medium is writing!

What do you dream of in the future?

“I want to become a traveling nurse with a great boyfriend.”

What inspires you?

Mariah said she drives herself to succeed, but also gets support from her family. She said that she’s inspired by “Sunshine and the promise of a new day”

What are some of your favorite projects right now?

Mariah has a lot of projects she switches back and forth from, but some of her favorite projects include a siren song story, and a murder mystery!

Get to Know Senior Apprentice Laylah!

I had the chance to ask Layla some fun questions about her inspirations, hobbies, and favorite things!

What do you do for fun?

I like to play videogames and draw!

Favorite food?

I love noodles and sushi!

What black artists inspire you?

Bisa Butler, a black artist that specializes in amazing quilts with unique patterns.

What is your favorite art medium?

Traditional art mediums, like pen and pencils, paint and more!

What is your ideal future?

Layla wants to be an architect! She wants to own 2 businesses, a design company and an art company.

What inspires you?

Layla said that constructive feedback helps drive her to do even better, from art teachers to family. Layla also said that she inspires/drives herself to improve!

What are your current favorite projects?

The upcoming mural project, a black and white portrait, and a quilt!

Tyler and Kymora, Rising Artists

Apprentices Tyler and Kymora answer some questions about their inspirations and dreams!

How do you spend your “me” time?

Both shared they love to listen to music and draw in their free time, working on skills like body and hair design.

What kind of art do you both like to do?

Freehand drawing emotions.

What artists do you like? Any art style, go!

Lil Durk, Brant Fiez, Jill Scott

What’s your favorite art medium?

Both Tyler and Kymora prefer pencil and paper, with sketching beforehand!

What are your current ambitions and plans!

Tyler and Kymora are focused on graduating high school, getting an associates, and maybe a bachelors too. Tyler wants to become a traveling ultrasound tech, and Kymora wants to go into psychology!

Are you working on any art projects that really capture your focus?

Kymora- “Myself” and a POV drawing!

Tyler- “Collage of 2 versions of myself”

Where do you draw your inspiration and support!

Kymora said, “[My] father pushes [me] to chase [my] dreams, and my supportive family.”

Tyler said she draws her inspiration from herself!

Before we finish, what’s your favorite inspirational quote?

Tyler- “Starting today, I need to forget what’s gone, appreciate what remains, and look forward to what’s coming next”

Kymora- “A glowstick can’t glow until you break it”