Hunter International House presents Viktor le. Givens.

"Art is Business" reposted for Rootwork Gallery showcases artistic expression that has healing, reconciliation, or the investigation of folk, street, and indigenous cultures at its core.

 "The In-Between Space: Black Magic. Black Manhood. Black Matter"

Inspired by the "conjure" writings of Charles Chestnutt and the short story "The Man Who Lived Underground" by Richard Wright, this immersive exhibition functions as a series of speculative ethnographic installations exploring le. Givens' reflections on the matter, ancestry, memory, and the position of black men in both physical and metaphysical space.

le. Givens says of this work: “This installation is my propitiatory temple to men with gifts--sightseeing, dream catching, street prophesying alchemists--the brothers whose identity and operations may not garner the attention of the mainstream. In navigating the future of black masculinity we have to understand how the black male body moves through literal and figurative space, sometimes unseen, sometimes hyper-visible and more often negotiating the place in between these spaces."

Viktor le. Givens is an installation and performance artist whose practice includes the gathering of ancestral objects to activate spaces for site-specific rituals. His materials frequently include quilts, garments, shoes, coins, jars and bottles, recipes, and other forgotten or discarded household items and personal effects. Through the accumulation of these cultural artifacts, le. Givens seeks to create spaces that act as sacred places or "temples" that inspire the activation of the cultural memory, survival, and resistance and that support African-American spiritual retentions and continuities.

Rootwork Gallery (645 W.18th St., Pilsen) is pleased to announce the opening on Friday, September 9 from 6-10 pm of "The In Between Space: Black Magic. Black Manhood. Black Matter" part exhibition, part visual environment composed by mixed media artist Viktor le. Givens. 

ANDREA PORRAS JOINS THE ARTS COUNCIL AS ARTS PROGRAM SPECIALIST

EXPERIENCE INCLUDES CULTURAL ARTS ENGAGEMENT, PERFORMANCE, AND CURATION; ARTS EDUCATION; AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING


Published: 09-02-2016


We are delighted to welcome Andrea Porras to the staff of the California Arts Council as our newest Arts Programs Specialist.

At her RFK Elementary kindergarten class in San José, Andrea's parents were told their child's approach to simple art projects was "unique."

Many years later, as the director of Sacramento's World Arts Space summer project in Oak Park, a local TV reporter asked her how she came up with such a unique and creative idea. The 200-plus youth Andrea enrolled for the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission program would be categorized as "an unequaled" project for youngsters by both media and observers.

Andrea Porras has created, directed, curated, performed, and collaborated in multiple theatre productions. She has performed and assisted on independent film/video documentary projects, live performances, public and private speaking engagements. Andrea's creative engagement expertise in producing visual art and music shows, as well as dance and altar offerings in renowned museums, classrooms, galleries, and alternative community spaces, continues to this day.

Andrea holds a B.A. from California State University-Sacramento (CSUS) in Theatre Arts with a special focus in ethnic studies and a minor in cultural anthropology. Her research, performance, and community service travels have taken her to China, Africa, Mexico, and Cuba as well as Hawaii and the American Southwest.

While at CSUS, Andrea and colleague Nicole C. Limón-Steward founded "Movimiento Molcajete," which later became a community arts multi-disciplinary training vehicle and platform for arts education in community-based learning. The program provides creative opportunities for women and youth in projects that include live tea rituals, poetry, music, photography, and art.

Andrea also collaborates with a variety of theatre companies including Teatro Espejo and California Stage utilizing her experiences as a former Teatro Campesino Vibrant Being Fellow.

Andrea brings to her work at the California Arts Council experiences garnered from her community-based training with collectives and projects like the Royal Chicano Air Force (RCAF), Chicano/Latino Youth Conference, Washington Neighborhood Center (WNC), Sacramento Black Art of Dance, Ebo Oko Kan, and the United Farm Workers (UFW).

Most recently, Andrea served the Yolo County area as Art Space Manager for the UC Davis Chican@ Studies community service center, Taller del Nuevo Amanecer (TANA). She also served as an artist in residence for Poetry Out Loud and Trucha Palabra at the Yolo County Juvenile Detention Center.

Andrea's 13-year-old son, JAH'Sol Amaru, a Cal Middle School student and an outstanding dancer has already performed in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, and in the Bay Area. His journey continues to fuel Andrea's commitment to advocating for arts, culture as well as mental and spirit nurturing experiences for all generations of California.

"I am encouraged by the intersections of past and recent life experiences that bring me to this junction of joining such a gifted and talented team of practitioners/art administrators," Andrea said.  "It is with reverence to my mentors and past CAC staff that I press forward in my new role."

Andrea can be reached at (916) 322-6395 or andrea.porras@arts.ca.gov.

The Living Heritage Foundation (LHF) DAY OF GIVING May 3

The Living Heritage Foundation (LHF), created by Susheel Bibbs, supports the presentation of artworks of African Americans and women and the careers of outstanding arts professionals who present them in significant ways.   

LHF offers them grants, mentoring, and fiscal sponsorship for projects that will advance their careers. 

LHF is seeking to continue these efforts and to augment our grant fund for artists through The Big Day of Giving -- A national day in which people can give to non-profits online.

Please help us support these artists and their projects with your online gift on May 3--midnight to 11:59pm. You may give on one of two sites:

Both sites below will contain a giving form.

·      =The regular Big Day of Giving Page:  www.bigdayofgiving.org

This site allows you to give to one or more nonprofits

·      =The LHF personal Big Day of Giving page:

https://bigdayofgiving.org/n…/the-living-heritage-foundation

This site is for LHF only

Please note:  Donors must donate at least $25 via credit card between midnight and 11:59 on May 3. A donation on either of those exact times may win money for LHF. Please help and pass the word. 

Thank you so much,

Alpha Bruton

General Sponsor LHF 2016

Sojourner Truth African Heritage Public Art Murals at Florin Square

WIDE OPEN WALLS:

Shonna McDaniels is the Founder and Director of the Sojourner Truth Art Museum (founded in 1996). McDaniels is a professional artist/teacher/muralist and community activist, she has an extensive background in art instruction and mural designs. She has studied under some of the finest professors in the Los Rios Community College network and master artists in the San Francisco Bay Area. While residing in Germany, McDaniels instructed art classes for two years on military bases as well as organizing art exhibitions and programs. 

Prior to 1996, Shonna McDaniels was one of the co-founders and artist of the 

Visual Arts Development Project (founded in 1988), McDaniels taught art classes, conducted workshops, and organized art exhibits throughout the Oak Park and Del Paso communities. She has donated art to various organizations as well as helped raise money for charitable causes throughout the Sacramento Region. She has over 25 years of community involvement, with various organizations that support the arts through exhibitions, artist residencies, community activism, community murals, and organizing community-based festivals in South Sacramento. Ms. McDaniels has contributed over 150 murals to the landscape of Sacramento, Stockton, and San Francisco.

Cultural Ambassador's Jennifer Porras Opens the Door to Art and Activism 01/04 by Phantom Gallery Chicago Network | Visual Arts Podcasts

Cultural Ambassador's Jennifer Porras Opens the Door to Art and Activism 01/04 by Phantom Gallery Chicago Network | Visual Arts Podcasts

IT'S OFFICIAL, ANITA P. LOWE, OF "POSEY STUDIO" HAS CLOSED

The VADP has closed its office at the studio and gallery of artist/board member Anita P. Lowe. The VADP since the early 1990s has visited Auburn to conduct exhibits, studio visits, workshops, retreats,  Kwanza Celebrations, dinners, clay days, pit firings, and in 2013 altar making. Anita will be missed by all who worked with her and played with her.

We are all invited to Ohio to her land to bless it in 2016. TBA

TO YOU MY FRIEND!

At birth we boarded the train and met our parents,

and we believe they will always travel on our side.

However, at some station

our parents will step down from the train,

leaving us on this journey alone.

As time goes by,

other people will board the train;

and they will be significant

i.e. our siblings, friends, children,

and even the love of your life.

Many will step down

and leave a permanent vacuum.

Others will go so unnoticed

that we don't realize

they vacated their seats.

This train ride will be full of joy,

sorrow, fantasy, expectations,

hellos, goodbyes, and farewells.

Success consists of having a good relationship

with all passengers

requiring that we give the best of ourselves.

The mystery to everyone is:

We do not know at which station

we ourselves will step down.

So, we must live in the best way,

love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are.

It is important to do

this because when the time comes for us to step down

and leave our seat empty

we should leave behind beautiful memories

for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

I wish you a joyful journey on the train of life.

Reap success and give lots of love.

More importantly, thank God for the journey.

Lastly, I thank you

for being one of the passengers on my train.

Re-posted for Anita P. Lowe

After two decades of programming the VADP, thanks to all of you who have supported our ventures. Please keep in touch as we plan on gathering at least once in a BLUE MOON to do something extraordinary.  Please keep sending updates, and projects that you are involved in so we can share them on our blog.

Alpha Bruton,  Chicago Illinois

Talver Germany-Miller- Mather California

Anita Lowe- Georgetown  Ohio

Jennifier Andrea Porras- Sacramento California

Caryl Henry Alexander- Clinton  Maryland

Toni Collie Perry- Sacramento California