THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 14, 1996 TAG: 9601120148
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: Rebecca A. Myers
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
When Antwoin Anthony was asked several months ago to submit a drawing to be used as a possible cover illustration for a statewide housing directory, he didn't have to look far for inspiration.
The 18-year-old I.C. Norcom High School senior decided to capture in watercolor the progress he saw going on right outside his Prentis Park home.
On canvas, he painted bright blue skies and green trees as a backdrop to a neighborhood in transition.
Adjacent to a vacant, boarded-up building in desperate need of repair, he drew a newly renovated home with dark blue vinyl siding and boys playing basketball in the driveway.
On the sidewalk in front of the home, he showed girls playing hopscotch and others jumping rope.
Two months ago, Anthony's illustration was selected for the cover of the ``1996 Virginia Housing Directory,'' a publication that provides information about non-profit housing developers and advocacy organizations throughout the state.
The directory, now in its sixth year of publication, is produced annually by the Virginia Housing Development Authority.
Anthony's drawing was selected from four that were submitted to the housing authority for the competition, said Rasheid Shabazz, youth outreach and program technician at Wesley Community Center.
``Antwoin has been an active leader among the youth and the community here,'' said Shabazz, who met Anthony about four years ago at the center.
``He first got involved by just coming in and doing arts and crafts projects. At the time, we were producing medallions and little bracelets and things like that from leather and glass. And Antwoin, all throughout the program, showed talent, willingness and leadership qualities,'' he said.
In addition to his regular course load of English, government and geometry at Norcom, Anthony also takes an advertising and design class at the Norfolk Technical Vocational Center.
``It's a class that prepares you for careers in the art field, like in advertising,'' Anthony said.
After graduating in June, Anthony plans to attend college, perhaps Norfolk State University, to major in art and eventually design cars.
``I've been interested in art since I first started taking it in elementary school,'' he said.
Name: Antwoin Anthony.
Nickname: Twoin.
Hometown: Portsmouth.
Birthdate: Sept. 28, 1977.
School and grade: I.C. Norcom High School, 12th grade.
Parents: Rudolph and Maxine Wadsworth.
Siblings: Tremain, 17, and Ronald, 16.
Pets: Fish.
Favorite subject: Art.
Favorite food: Hamburgers.
Favorite restaurant: Burger King.
Hobbies: Drawing, going to the movies, hanging with friends.
Favorite movies: ``Friday,'' ``Bad Boys,'' ``The Mask,'' ``Blown Away,'' ``The Professional.''
Favorite song or musical group: Wu-Tang Clan.
Favorite sport: Basketball.
Favorite magazine: The Source.
Last book read for fun: ``Think Big'' by Ben Carlson.
Favorite TV shows: ``Martin,'' ``New York Undercover,'' ``The Crew,'' ``Living Single,'' ``Fresh Prince of Bel Air,'' ``In the House.''
Last smart thing you did: Stayed back after school for help.
Last dumb thing you did: Went outside in the cold with no gloves on.
Pet peeve: Worrying me with stupid things.
Who are your heroes: My teachers from elementary school until now.
Your worst habit: Forgetting things.
Last vacation: Alabama.
Favorite way to spend a day: At the mall.
If you had 15 minutes on national television, what would you discuss? How hard it is to make it in this world and the need for an education.
When I get older, I want to be: An automobile illustrator. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
by CNB