Here are some of the ideas we came up with and scroll down more for some of the pictures! You can see more when you follow @valleywedesign on instagram!

PUBLIC ART

• Train Station Underpasses can feature seasonal public art from local artists, or competitions for all over
• Valley Maps or Directories can be designed by artists, and a great way to attract
• Garbage Cans can be a way to engage the high school artists communities

SAFETY

• Fences around the train station rails, this can also beautify the blocks, and Scotland Road
• The sidewalks are horrible, and uneven. We should definitely get them fixed
• More signs

DIRECTIONS TO THE VALLEY

• In addition to the maps, we can have just arrows pointing the district from Scotland Road.

There were so many more ideas shared, you can come to the follow up meeting, Tuesday, September 24th. More details to follow. Visit http://www.handsinc.org for more information.

Naeema, Cesar, Tyree, Ray and I piled up in Naeema’s car for a life-changing trip. I honestly do not even know where to begin. Thursday morning we got on the road, and arrived at the center after about 8 long hours on the road.

As soon as we arrived, we were greeted with warm welcomes and Molly’s energetic spirit. We were joining Molly and her family: her younger sisters Sadie and Gahlia were on staff there, her nephew Javey, Michael Kaufman her dad and his wife. Gamal, an ORNG inker was also on staff. The adorable Malbroughs, Mike Mal, his wife Paige, and two children Bella and Abe. It has truly been a family affair. We all looked forward to volunteering around the camp.

Later that night after dinner the emerging artists, Mike and Molly led the first half our or art program. We presented how ORNG Ink came to be, and how each of us were brought to the studio. This was definitely a highlight because I learned a lot from everyone, and gained a new sense of pride for each artist, and what we bring to the table. And I also realized that it was truly fate, and hope that has brought all of us together.

We then went to our cabin, number 8 in the middle of the woods. It was super dark, and a little scary at first. Then it became funny because on the way there we had running joke that Molly was luring us to our death and this was the start of a horror movie. Gamal was the killer, and was going to finish all of us. We woke up the next day to the fresh air of nature, and the sound of crickets. It was beautiful. Breakfast was at 8:00am and we had to go the main building to take a shower. My wardrobe of choice for the entire weekend was basketball shorts, and my old Jordan’s. Comfort, and self discovery was my overall mission.

After breakfast I sat in front of Mount Chicoro and did some writing exercises. Ray and Naeema helped Cara gardening to pick for the day’s meals. Molly, Bella, Naeema, Ray, Tyree, Cesar, Javey and I went to the pond and decided to take a row boat to Blueberry Island. An island across the pond that grows delicious blueberries. We all got turned around on the water, and needed a lot of help. The scenery however was absolutely beautiful. The view of the mountains, and green trees. The way the sunlight reflected off of the water, and the sound of the ores hitting the water. The air was so

fresh.

After our swim, we got ready for fun night! Fun night is the weekly talent show. Anyone can perform, anything. Ray and Cesar performed and hosted the event! It was awesome. People performed songs, shared short stories, stand-up comedy and more. It was so entertaining. After fun night we played a cool game, Pictophone with the cool World Fellowship Staff which are all young like us. It was fun. It is a mixture between pictionary and telephone.

The night ended with a going away party It was amazing. The sky was beautiful. It was life changing. We rode bikes fast down the road. Ray and I talked in front of the moon on top of the hill. It was amazing.

The next day, the crew hiked a trail and Tyree discovered a path to a fire tower. Later that night, we hiked there and climbed the tower. This was the facebook status I posted that night:

Pictures or words can’t describe my view right now. I’m in a tower in the middle of the woods, in a fire tower looking over the valley of New Hampshire, with my love Ray Sykes, bestie Tyree Huey, and friends, drinking beer looking at the stars. Moments like these are special and unforgettable. Life changing. Thank you Molly Rose Kaufman for inviting me on this amazing trip.  life is good.  p.r.’s facebook status on 8/24/13

That night, Ray and I decided to sleep in a near by cabin. That was fun. The following day we led another art program but this was more about our actual craft and the purpose of creating. Ray and Ceasar shared new songs, Naeema talked about her photography journey, and I led a mini zine making workshop.

It was great. The circle then shared and donated their zines to ORNG Ink. Now we have a piece of World Fellowship Center here at the studio. 

We filled days with basketball, naps, hikes, photography bike rides, volunteering at the dining hall, housekeeping with Sadie, musical jams, writing, talking and soul searching. We were all so sad when we had to leave Monday. I want to thank Molly for inviting us on this trip. Look out for more pictures from Naeema!

First, the amazing weekend began with my sister, LeTrice and I attending the Legends of the Summer tour at Yankee Stadium with non other than Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake. It was a great show. Even though the outdoor concert happened to fall in the middle of a heat wave. That, I can say was the only flaw of the night. The two shared the stage the entire night, with creative segways into each other’s songs. It was nice to hear JT sing some of the hooks on Jay’s classics like, ‘Excuse Me Miss’, “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)’, and ‘Forever Young’. Of course, I checked Beyonce’s tour schedule to see if she would be able to make a guest appearance, but she was doing a show in Detroit. Justin sang ALL of my favorites from his first two albums, ‘Senorita’, ‘My Love’, ‘SexyBack’, and ‘LoveStoned’. It was awesome! I’d see it again!

‘Models Must Rehearse!’ Saturday, Laura and I met with the runway models together for the first time. We did initial fittings, and a little rehearsal to time the show for music and show production. It was a huge success and all the girls pretty much killed it. I think we are so ready for Portrait of a Lady!

Shooting the LookBook. Sunday, the team and I came together to shoot the Portrait of a Lady lookbook. One word to describe it, magical. Kat, Laura and I styled three of the models in our set looks and created a scene. It was amazing and so much fun! We had the talented Crystal of Beauty Box doing make-up and Amira on hair styling. Briana, was the brilliant photographer, and Naeema on accessories. Needless to say, we had the power team on this one. Again, it was magical. I can not wait for you all to see! You can get the lookbook the day of the show!

Then after the shoot Marie David met us in Montclair, NJ for the first annual Market Place event presented by Rewind Vintage & Kadet. I met some cool people. I have been wanting to reach out to the neighboring towns here in North Jersey. Not gonna lie, I was really scouting for the fashion show. I wore two of the pants suits from Rewind Vintage for the promo shoot. Read more about the dope stuff I found there, here.

Threadbone Deluxe Cover: Purchase the limited edition cover here.

Hat City Streets Festival:
The festival was a huge success! People of all ages, and all over North Jersey came to the Valley to celebrate. There was live music performances all day at the family stage, including ORNG Ink’s Soundbox Banditz, and then into the night at the Main Stage including 100 Voices of Hillside. Kids were able to make buttons at the ORNG Ink booth, and other art activities like hat making, glass blowing, and rock drawing. Local artists sold art in vending booths, I discovered new artists, and merchandise. All though the festival was from 11am-9pm, there was something for everyone all day, including amazing food! Hat City Kitchen, Southern Comfort & more neighborhood spots sold good food.

Tatamae Alive: Khari’s much anticipated art show finally opened at ORNG Ink, in the IronWorks Gallery. It was really cool to see the curated show. He has worked so hard, for months. People dropped in and out all day and he even made a sale! You can come see the show Monday-Friday from 3-6:00pm for the next two weeks.

ORNG Ink took our 5th class picture featuring everyone who has ever been apart of the studio. The picture is coming soon!

This summer is going to be CRAZY!

ORNG Ink had a booth at this year’s North Jersey Pride Festival, which took place in Maplewood yesterday. Molly & Mike maned the table while Khari, Cliff, Amonnie and I sold our art, zines and handed out flyers for Inkalicious summer camp, Tatamae Alive and the Hat City Streets Festival. We met a lot of people. Most importantly young, cool people to come to our events this summer. It was a great experience for us, as artists, who will need to learn how to sell ourselves as festivals and whatnot. I can not wait to do it next year.

While I was pushing the spring issue here in New Jersey, it was being tabled at this year’s Atlanta Zine Fest. Thanks to POC Zine project, they made me a zine partner during their tour throughout the end of the year. It is so unbelievable to think people in Atlanta are reading it! Wow! This makes me so much more excited about the summer issue and all the opportunities for masConsumption to grow.

While at the North Jersey Pride Festival, I met a woman named, Joanne who was selling her daughter’s jewelry. I took a second look because we are currently looking for accessories to feature in the fashion show and editorial. I learned that each piece was hand made and one-of-a-kind. Joanne and I talked for a long time and I can not wait to work with her more. Here is one piece that I loved.

Next weekend is the Hat City Streets Festival, Tatamae Alive & the release of the Spring Deluxe issue. Stay tuned!