MLAB Increases Community Involvement

Written October 22, 2008

An intricately decorated recreational vehicle, the Mobile Literacy Arts Bus, sat in an empty lot next to the Community Folk Art Center on East street with its door wide open to the public.

CFAC invited the MLAB to join them during Syracuse Exposed, 40Below's Summit that is geared toward encouraging the community to visit stops along Syracuse's Connective Corridor.

The MLAB, a Partnership for Better Education project, was renovated by ten Syracuse University students during the fall of 2007 Social Sculpture class taught by Marion WIlson said MLAB coordinator Jessica Posner.

"The space was designed to be a mobile literacy, digital photography, alternative class room but a the same time, also community space and also as sort of a gallery," Posner said.

Although participating in Syracuse Exposed is one of the MLAB's first community engagements, it travels to George W. Fowler High School every week to help creative writing students develop their writing and photography skills Posner said.

The MLAB has been operating since spring of 2008 and plans to expand its program to include other Syracuse high school and increase its community engagements Posner said.

"We're working on building momentum and building connections," Posner said, "and hopefully making this a larger program with larger impact on the community."