A Love Letter For ICS

A Love Letter for You - West Philadelphia Murals from Will Roegge on Vimeo.

In 2009 Steve Powers, a New York City based artist, illustrator, and Fulbright scholar, who began his career as a graffiti writer on the streets of West Philadelphia, had an idea for a mural arts project that would bring him back to the city he loved.  It was an idea that he said "came out of the ether"; he called it "Love Letter."  Perhaps you have seen the result?

Love Letter is a series of 50 rooftop murals from 45th to 63rd Streets that run along the Market street corridor and are best viewed from the Market/Frankford El.  Together the words and images tell the love stories between a guy and a girl, an artist and his hometown, and from local residents to their neighborhood of West Philadelphia.  Powers has this to say about the project, Love Letter is “a letter for one, with meaning for all” and speaks to all residents who have loved and for those who long for a way to express that love to the world around them. He considers the project “my chance to put something on these rooftops that people would care about.”

This week, as we complete our final character analysis essays (they are looking fantastic!) and we begin to blog again, I would like you to write your own "love letter" to ICS in a genre of your choosing. You may compose a poem, a song, an ode, a letter, a newspaper article, or a six word memoir even, if you provide a few sentences that explain what your six word memoir means.  As you write your commentary this week consider the following questions.

• What do you love most about ICS?  What makes our community special?
• Describe a favorite memory (be specific and use details).
• What is your favorite ICS event, tradition, or trip?  Why is it your favorite?
• Describe someone who you admire at ICS.  Why do you admire them?  What do you appreciate?
• Describe your hopes for ICS' future.  What hopes do you have for ICS over the years?

This week, your commentaries will be read not only by me, but also by Tr. Tracey.  Exemplary commentaries may be selected to be published in this year's yearbook so try to give your commentary a little something special!  Commentaries must be MEATY with examples, description, and analysis; in other words 2-3 paragraphs please.

**As always, remember to TAGG your answer and proofread for CUPS.  Quality commentaries have been composed in google docs and proofread before posting.