Creativity, Confidence, and Connection: Spring 2026 After-School Art at Calloway-Smith Middle School
At Fuse Project, we know that creative expression can be about much more than art. It can become a safe space, a confidence builder, a stress reliever, and an opportunity for students to discover new ways to communicate and connect with one another. Through After-School Art at Calloway-Smith Middle School, students are given exactly that kind of opportunity each week.
As part of the school’s after-school tutoring program, After-School Art is designed not only to provide a break from academics through enrichment opportunities for students in grades 6–8, but also to encourage tutoring attendance and create positive after-school engagement. During the Spring 2026 semester, roughly 10–15 students participated in each session, which met every Tuesday afternoon in two rotating groups from 2:30–3:30 p.m. and 3:30–4:30 p.m.
The program is hosted through Fuse Project’s partnership with Mobile Arts Council and Amp Up Arts and was led this semester by local mural artist De’Anthony Dulaney, also known as “Mr. D,” whose artwork can be seen throughout downtown Mobile. From the very first session, Mr. D focused on helping students express their identities and perspectives through art while creating an environment where students felt comfortable being themselves.
The semester began with a project called “My World, My Style,” where students used markers, pencils, colored paper, glue, and scissors to create mixed-media collages representing who they are. Students were challenged to incorporate a meaningful word or phrase, a symbol, repeating shapes, and specific color combinations into their work. The activity served not only as an artistic introduction, but also as a way for students and instructors to begin building trust, understanding, and connection with one another.
In February, students celebrated Black History Month through vibrant mixed-media artwork inspired by legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. After learning about Basquiat’s rise from New York’s graffiti scene to becoming one of the most influential contemporary Black artists, students created expressive pieces using layered textures, abstract shapes, bold colors, and symbolic storytelling to reflect their own voices and perspectives. Special guests Kat Stoves and Ashley Lucier from Amp Up Arts also stopped by to experience the creativity and energy happening inside the classroom.
Additional projects throughout the semester included construction paper portraits, Mardi Gras mask creations, and collaborative progressive sketch activities where students rotated sketch pads around the room, contributing to one another’s drawings every two minutes. The exercise encouraged creativity, teamwork, humor, and collaboration while reminding students that art does not have to be perfect to be meaningful.
One of the most powerful aspects of After-School Art is the social-emotional growth that takes place during each session. Middle school can be a challenging and emotional stage of life, and students often arrive carrying stress, frustrations, or tension from their day. Yet over and over again, staff members observed students gradually relax, open up, and become more engaged as the sessions progressed. Through art, students found a productive and healthy outlet for self-expression while also learning how to collaborate, communicate, and work through challenges with one another in real time.
Perhaps most importantly, students frequently discovered confidence they didn’t know they had. Whether it was a student initially insisting they “weren’t good at art” before proudly completing a project, or students encouraging one another during collaborative activities, the classroom became a space where creativity and confidence could grow together.
Programs like After-School Art highlight the importance of ensuring students have access to enrichment opportunities beyond traditional academics. Through partnerships with local artists and organizations, students are exposed to new experiences, creative careers, and meaningful mentorship while building skills that support both academic and personal growth.
Fuse Project is grateful to the Mobile Arts Council, Amp Up Arts, Mr. D, and the dedicated staff members who continue creating spaces where students feel seen, supported, and inspired. Through programs like After-School Art, Fuse Project remains committed to expanding opportunities for children across our community because every child deserves an opportunity to succeed, regardless of their ZIP code.
