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History of "Bike Part Art"

Several years ago I had a desire to pass on my metalworking skills to the next generation. Since teaching metals is not compatible with most school venues I collaborated with the Community Bicycle Center(now APEX,Youth Development Center) in my hometown of Biddeford, Maine to create a pilot after school program one day a week where children could explore self expression while becoming familiar with hand tools, cold connection techniques and the properties of metal.

As the bicycle center grew and the space did not I began offering my curriculum to local schools and community art centers through workshops and residencies. I have benefited from the good example of many other programs in existence that use either bike parts or other recycled materials to make art accessible to children and families in any economic bracket. This blog will showcase some of the programs and resources I have collected over the last few years and I hope it can also encourage an exchange. I'm sure there is a lot more to learn and explore in striving for a "best practice" approach to teaching art in three dimensions and I Iook forward to sharing with you.

A special  "thanks" to the partners who have helped me to develop my workshops by supplying interesting recycled material;  The APEX Youth Development Center, Cyclomania, the Kennebunkport Bicycle Shop and Port Cycles for bicycle parts and Sterling Rope in Biddeford whose scrap climbing rope has enhanced our bike wheel weavings. Thanks to Scott Mullenberg for paper donations and the Tile Shop, Biddeford for mosaic material.

Ann