Photos: Young Audiences Charter School Student Artist Featured in Artwork on Wrapped RTA Bus and Mural

Young Audiences Charter School Student Artist Featured in Artwork on Wrapped RTA Bus and MuralYoung Audiences Charter School 6th grader Dontay Allen has been featured in Studio Be’s Brandon “B. Mike” Odum’s latest art project. Dontay will be appearing throughout the city on a 40-foot fully wrapped bus featuring the mural “Family Tree,”  as part of a public arts partnership between the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority with Ashe’ Cultural Arts Center and Odums’ Studio Be.Dontay previously worked with B. Mike through his arts-integrated school,  Young Audiences Charter School, where the artist mentored the student and Dontay’s likeness was used for a mural, the focal piece of an art show at Newcomb Gallery where Dontay also had his very own artwork on display.  PHOTOS ATTACHED:YACSBus1: Artist Brandon “B. Mike” Odum and Young Audiences Charter School 6th grader Dontay Allen.YACSBus2: The RTA bus featuring YACS student Dontay Allen by artist Brandon “B. Mike” Odum.YACSBus3: Artist Brandon “B. Mike” Odum in front of the bus.YACSBus4: The RTA bus featuring YACS student Dontay Allen by artist Brandon “B. Mike” Odum.For more information on B. Mike and Studio BE, go to: www.bmike.com
For more information on Young Audiences Charter Schools, go to: www.yacharterschool.org

####Opened in 2013, Young Audiences Charter School at Kate Middleton is an open enrollment, arts-integrated charter school in Jefferson Parish for grades K-11. Enrollment is open to any Jefferson Parish student. Recent research shows that students at schools with an arts-integrated curriculum scored higher on standardized tests and academic measures than those at other types of schools, including academic magnet schools. (PAIR, 2013) Additionally, students involved in the arts have better attendance, fewer behavior referrals, increased class participation, and are more likely to report a love of learning.