ZeumMasters on Film

Check out this video, made by Nae, Brianna, Denzel, Andrew, Leigh Ann, Wing Yan, Victor and Sammi and with the assistance of awesome Educator Eli.

It's time for a change

Yesterday at zeum, a few of us had a chance to express our views on the various political issues going on around us.  We talked about the presidential election, which is a first in many ways.  

We talked about the government fundings and most of us agreed that education is what's most important.  We looked at images of political art (like the one to the right) and graffiti.  Recently, the government funding for education was reduced and many teachers lost their jobs.  Teenagers like us, we want a change.  We want to have a say in what we think is most important for us. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtgul, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has," says Margaret Mead an anthropologist.  We should never underestimate the power of teens, nor shall we ever neglect their opinions. thus, teens will be the next generation to make a change in this world.

Many of us depend on those who already have power to help us solve our problems, yet, we dont participate nor believe in politics. "Unlike the older public, halfheartedly involved in democracy, we dont realize the purpose in any involvement at all and this may destroy everything we wish for," says Camila Domonoske. Domonoske is so right, the new generation of teens do not pay attention to politics. thus, we should not complain about the reduction of school funding, the war in Iraq, or the people without healthcares if we are not going to believe and participate in politics. 

At zeum, we are given the opportunity to make a change in this world, to change our reputation in others' eyes that we dont engage in politics.  We're working in mentor groups now and my mentor group with ari and christian will create our own political statements in photoshop and stop-motion animation, to present to people that us, teens, have the ability to cause change in this world.

Old Places New Faces

It feels like its been so long since I was gone. Here I am, blogging again! I love blogging because its one of the many ways we express our feelings here at Zeum. we should take better advantage of this site since it was made just for us. ZEUMMASTERS ;]

Before, I worked at Zeum through a program called MYEEP and since that program ended, I stopped working at Zeum. I decided to reapply. and now I am here again ;] I had to go through training again and this reminded me of when I first got training 8 months ago. A few days ago I met the new Zeummasters and went through training with them. this is my second time being trained. I remember the first time I was trained, I had totally different people with me and we were trained somewhat differently. It was then when i realized how far I had come. these eight months had sure past by way too fast.

While I was gone, I missed zeum alot, the people and the place itself. I felt like I couldn't say I worked at Zeum anymore and that made me sad. but I got really excited when Raquel called and offered the Zeummaster position to me. I thought, everything will be the same again.

When I actually arrived at Zeum, some of the old people were gone and new people came it. I think its not typical for a teenager to work at a place for so long and I am glad I have the opportunity to do so. even though I was so sad that the old workers left because they graduated, I was glad to meet the new people. I know that every year, people would come and leave. and some of the new Zeummasters will be leaving when summer ends, so i should better spend more times with them. ;]

First JOB

My name is Sammi and I`ve been a Zeummaster for nearly six months now . I feel like I just started working here yesterday. I found this job through a job-placement-program for youth.

And now I'm writing on a blog about it.

I had no previous arts and museums experience before working here. None! It is so cool to work at a place, in an area where I am not particularly good at (art), and gain that experience and possibly improve on it everyday. For example, I explain animation to the visitors that come into Animators Studio and lead them through their activities. This wasn't easy at first. But more and more I'm able to say, help kids who are alone and don't know what to do - we create animations together. ;D

I always tell my friends that I work at Zeum and they get impressed by how a 14 year old could have this kind of job. So professional. Zeum is different, it's not like working at Jamba Juice. Most of my friends don't even work. At Zeum we do art and educational activities. Zeum has helped me work on my leadership and public speaking skills. So much...

One of my favorite rooms at Zeum is Animators Studio. this is the most popular room and it`s full of families at all time! They use clay characters and create an amazing CLAY ANIMATION. It is the best way to discover a person's art&crafts skills. Working with kids is a lots of fun, especially when they look up to you as a role model. It is amazing how a little piece of clay can make a kid's day.