Thanks to studio, Andre Williams is helping other teens

Andre Williams first dropped in to use the music studio.

“I heard about it online… I was donating plasma to pay for studio sessions… when I found out about this being free, I started bringing my friends.”

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The application for 2017 out-of-classroom learning grants from Battelle is now open

Columbus Museum of Art’s “Teen Open Studio,” began in 2014. Supported by the Battelle STEM Arts Grant, the program serves local teens two days a week, offering a unique space to make art of all kinds. With access to supplies and tools, Andre found stability in creativity.

The studio gives locals teens a place to create works they're proud of.
The studio gives locals teens a place to create works they’re proud of.

“I dropped out when I was fifteen… I didn’t know how to explain it; I held a lot of stuff in; I had a lot of anger; I would get into a lot of fights in school. I would get suspended a lot; I would be cussing out teachers. Teachers wouldn’t understand what was going on.”

But, after getting a second chance on a truancy charge, he rededicated himself to graduating.

“I went to East, and East just changed for me… I started getting into STEM. When I was getting into STEM, we had to start wearing dress shirts on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

“I got into fashion. So I started learning about style and what I really like and fit. So I started making shirts from scratch.”

Teen Open Studio remained a constant throughout the rest of his high school career, giving him the opportunity to chase his new interests in fashion. Led by “Mr.” Mike Voll, the program is centered on the philosophy of “HOMAGO” – Hang Out, Mess Around, Geek Out.

“It’s an open studio for you figure out what it is you like to do. Because stuff is expensive! Studio time is expensive; canvases are expensive; paint is expensive; it can be expensive. Especially if you’re trying to experiment!”

Williams attended the program regularly throughout high school, then came close to aging out of the program. But he found a way to stay involved.

“Mr. Mike came to me a week before my birthday. He was like, ‘Andre, we’ve got a surprise for you.’

Now, Williams serves as a program mentor. He produces and engineers student music, lends his expertise in sewing, and offers support based on the lessons that he’s learned along the way.

“I help people see the things that they don’t see in themselves. I’ve always been like that, but here I get to do that to the extreme.”

Williams is currently studying marketing at Columbus State.

Andre Williams now mentors at the studio he began attending and is working on a marketing degree from Columbus State.
Andre Williams now mentors at the studio he began attending and is working on a marketing degree from Columbus State.

Written by Sam Bodary at Battelle.

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