If you made it to the Milwaukee Art Museum's "After Dark" event last January, you've already been granted an education by True Skool.
Whether you missed it or you're thirsty for a second dose of interactive knowledge, True Skool teaches again this Friday night.
True Skool, a non-profit organization, collaborates with the Milwaukee Art Museum for the second time this year. Focused on invigorating Milwaukee's urban communities with positive influence, True Skool illuminates the artistic talent and community alliance hidden by poverty, gangs and drug use.
Hosting workshops, classes and a community service program, True Skool provides opportunity and activity for kids and teenagers during crucial unsupervised after school hours.
As previous events have shown, this Friday's "After Dark" combines local elements of art, music and hands-on activity. This month's "True Skool" theme reiterates urban street art's place in the fine art environment, bringing local graffiti and urban artistry to focus in Santiago Calatrava's world renowned structure.
In true "After Dark" fashion, there's no shortage of activities with True Skool this Friday.
Housed in the Milwaukee Art Museum for one night only, True Skool offers street artists in action, a do-it-yourself studio for creative arts and a photo booth plus Dj Tarik Moody from 88.9 Radio Milwaukee. You'll have the chance to take a tour of the current Dawoud Bey "Class Pictures" exhibit with Curator Lisa Hostetler or check out local photography finalists from Decider's urban photo contest.
Outside of MAM's "After Dark," True Skool's workshops focus on the role of hip hop as a music, art and method of communication. Classes like "Hip Hop as Empowerment," "Hip Hop History," and "Hip Hop as a Tool for Conflict Resolution" pull hip hop stereotypes out of mainstream culture and exemplify their significance as a revolutionary art form.
Likewise, True Skool teaches classes in the craft of DJing, graffiti art and break-dance as a means of promoting urban culture and empowering youth.
Check out True Skool off grounds at the Milwaukee Art Museum this Friday at 5-11 p.m. You can purchase tickets in advance on the Milwaukee Art Museum Web site or at the door the night of the event. The tour of Dawoud Bey's "Class Pictures" is at 6:30 p.m. and the winner of the Decider urban photography contest will be announced at 9 p.m.
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As a sponsor, OnMilwaukee.com has tickets to give away. The first six readers to e-mail us at contests@staff.onmilwaukee.com get a pair of tickets to Friday's "MAM After Dark " Good luck.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.
After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.
Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.
