Picture the Future Photography Show on August 30!!

Photo by Charlotte Holden, age 16

The Urban Studio is proud to present a very special photography show featuring the photos of our youth and teen participants from the Picture the Future summer program. Drop by The Urban Studio any time between 7pm and 9pm on Thursday, August 30, meet the budding photographers, and marvel at their stellar black and white masterpieces! These photographs reflect the process of learning to taking pictures, develop film, and print photographs in a darkroom- all in a whirlwhind two-week period. Yup, we're impressed.

Photo (above) by Yuseff Randle, age 12



Photo (Above) by Rachel Mann, age 15


After the photography show, stick around for a fab fundraiser party from 9pm until 12am. Enjoy live music and drink oddities. We'll be selling brilliant posters with images from the summer.

The Urban Studio on MayorSlay.com!

When the fine folks at MayorSlay.com took a minute to ask The Urban Studio's Phil Valko about his favorite St. Louis sound, we had no idea that he would be featured on the MayorSlay.com podcast.

Check it out HERE.

The Urban Studio Summer Programs End with a Bang- Or in This Case, a Flash!

Session 2 of the Picture the Future rounded out a summer of creativity and excitement at the studio. Our talented 11-13 year old photographers produced amazing pictures! Daily adventures allowed us to explore St. Louis on bikes, in water, down slides and most importantly, through the lens.


Making posters about our community at the studio:


Yuseff snaps a photo at the zoo:



Teombi and photo instructor Matt enjoy the sculptures at Laumeier:



Braving St. Louis construction and heat waves for that perfect photograph:



Our crew and Jose the trailranger at the Mary Meachum Freedom crossing.


We want to thank all of the following folks & institutions for their support and involvement with Picture the Future. Without them, this program would not have been possible:
-Grace Hill
-The Linus Foundation
-The City Museum
-The Contemporary Art Museum
-Washington University
-Cbabi Bayoc
-Chinyere Oteh

The Urban Studio Director Recognized as one of St. Louis' "30 under 30" by the St. Louis Business Journal!!

We take our work very seriously around here. The Urban Studio Founder and Director, Phil Valko, was honored in the July 13th issue of the St. Louis Business Journal as one of the young professionals under 30 who are making a difference in the community and business world of St. Louis. Congratulations, Phil! To read the article in full, visit:
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2007/07/16/focus8.html

"Healthy living, the environment and the arts are important to Phil Valko -- and he works hard to promote them."

Below, Phil bowling a perfect game wearing Prada jeans ($1500), Gucci Hipster glasses ($950), and a vintage western shirt ($1250). ...kidding, just kidding. Work hard, play hard, right?

Tutoring Nights at The Urban Studio!

Fall brings many glorious things. Apples at Eckerds. Sweaters. Art Outside. Leaf piles. The Urban Studio tutoring nights.

Itching to volunteer with the The Urban Studio? We are looking for people interested in spending an hour each Wednesday evening tutoring a neighborhood child at the studio. If this strikes your fancy, please e-mail Phil Valko at phil@theurbanstudio.org and we will match you with a child. If you have a preference with age range or school subject, please include this information in the email as well.

Tutoring program participant Arthur, dilligently typing up his vocab words:


Arthur, not so dilligently goofing around with his tutor, Claire: