Advocacy Events. INCREASING AWARENESS AND BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS.

Advocacy is a strong part of our mission, and our aim is to increase awareness of social, cultural and economic challenges within the communities we work in and the causes we support.

MOST RECENT EVENT:

Becoming Artfully AWARE: Linking Local and International Communities through the Arts. February 2012, New Orleans, USA

“On February 3rd of 2012, the New Orleans Museum of Art opened its doors to host a Friday night with Artfully AWARE (AfA) as a part of our Where Y’Art programming. The event was a visual dream of NOMA’s permanent collection mixing together with the eclectic artwork of children, adults and internationally recognized artists brought in by AfA. During the span of five hours, nearly 2,000 guests came to the Museum to view this unique exhibition. The vibe throughout the night was one of celebration and the love for art. The professionalism and collaboration with Artfully AWARE is something the staff and supporters of the New Orleans Museum of Art will remember for a very long time to come!” Brad J. Caldwell, Public Events Manager at the New Orleans Museum of Art

“This deluge of freshness is a reassurance that we must tap the generation of the future with art in all forms. The creativity of the civic engagement and the collective effort brought together by Artfully AWARE provoked energy that was contagious. The chorus of conversations was infectious, a new sound within the Great Hall that would not retreat. Undisputedly creative, exciting and futuristic, this event was a meeting place for the arts community and interactivity. This is an exceptional project experienced by thousands in one of the largest audiences in one day to the museum. In one evening, education enrichment was witnessed and appreciated by people who have never been inside a museum. The participatory atmosphere included unusual sources of inspiration. Exploring paintings and creative writing from dozens of New Orleans based schools, health centers and community groups that were intertwined among the permanent collection of master artworks. The idea being that the great artist, too, had humble beginnings. It also brought about social reform: by knowing from where you came and walking into the doors of the museum, your work was a part of a whole. The appreciation of the arts proved the global connection between New Orleans and the international works represented from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, England, Egypt, China, Panama, Uganda, Cuba, the Himalayas, Vietnam and Haiti. The person on the street has now been informed about what exists in New Orleans, and the artist can now say with great pride that their works have been exhibited or performed within the New Orleans Museum of Art.” Beryl F. Hunter, Independent Museum Professional

On Friday, February 3, Artfully AWARE took over the New Orleans Museum of Art for a special event. For a night that celebrated the rich diversity of New Orleans, children and adults from across the community and the world contributed artwork and creative writing that was displayed in the Great Hall and surrounding galleries. There were over 100 participating schools, community groups, health centers, organizations and professional artists.

The evening began with a performance by the Mardi Gras Indian tribe, the Guardians of the Flame. Michael Watson, the musical director of Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse, played with his Quartet, cellist Monica McIntyre entertained the crowd and the New Orleans Dance Collective performed an inspiring dance piece based on unity.

Nearly 2,000 visitors interacted with professional writers and artists from A Studio in the Woods, caught a literary reading organized by the Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society, listened to original poetry and prose read by students from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, viewed photography that reflects the Sierra Club’s local environmental efforts, heard speakers from the Young Leadership Council and watched short films selected by FosterBear Films that explored human rights issues. One Million Bones, a hands-on art initiative that raises genocide awareness, exhibited a powerful installation that contained handmade bones suspended in water.

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art displayed their Artists and Sense of Place exhibit, which paired students with artists and explored the influence of situation and geography on their lives, and the Contemporary Arts Center’s Teen Board showed a short film about self identity, alongside a selection of handmade masks. All visitors received a booklet of short stories and visual art created by AfA participants.

A special thank you to the New Orleans Hornets for providing tickets to an NBA basketball game for winners of our community and school art competition. Also, enormous thanks to the staff at the New Orleans Museum of Art and to FosterBear Films for putting together a film on our participants’ behalf. Stay tuned!

View our incredible photo album by clicking here.

Read the full participants list by clicking here.

PAST ADVOCACY EVENTS:
Local to Global: A New Orleans Story. August 2011, New Orleans, USA
AfA presented an exhibition that spoke to the community through paintings, photography and poetry via its artists that were displayed in the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation’s Gallery.

Art in Action. June 2011, New Orleans, USA
Over 400 attendees helped support our visual and performing arts education programs in Africa by connecting them to our communities in New Orleans at an exhibition held at the M Francis Gallery on Julia Street.

Artisan Fair at the United Nations. March 2011, 2010, 2009, New York, USA
We showcased ourselves to well-established international organizations at the United Nations Artisan Fair, an event designed to highlight women’s rights, women’s products and to support the empowerment of women through craft and trade.

An Evening with AfA NOLA and the United Nations. March, 2011, New Orleans, USA
Our event showcased paintings, photography and sculptures of some of the finest contemporary artists in New Orleans. Undertaken in partnership with Cathedral Creative Studios, the event took place at their location on Julia Street.

Entitled to Live. December 2010, New Orleans, USA
In collaboration with Collective World Art Community and PhotoNOLA, our St Claude Arts District’s event featured local and national artists of various disciplines who expressed their unique perspectives on culture, societal challenges and personal experiences to inspire togetherness through our differences.

NYC Summer Gala. June 2010, New York, USA
Hosted by the Moore Brothers Wine Company, our AfA gala included live entertainment by Mexican, Australian, Ugandan and Zimbabwean entertainers, food and wine-tasting. Much needed funds were raised to support our ongoing programs in Africa.

Musicport Festival. October 2009, Bridlington, UK
AfA coordinated a children’s painting workshop relating to the performances on stage and music themes, while showcasing African artwork.

Artists United for Human Rights. October 2009, Buffalo, USA
Teachers and artists combined forces to support human rights focusing on education, awareness and prevention of child abuse and trafficking. AfA showcased artwork from our model projects in Africa and talented vocalist, Melissa Kate, performed along side other incredible Buffalo musicians.

Mooch Art Gallery. July, 2009, Manchester, UK
A six week exhibition showcased beautifully framed paintings from a series of AfA empowerment workshops held with children and adults in rural Uganda.

Not Part of Festival. July, 2009, Manchester, UK
Manchester’s outdoor amphitheater was transformed in to an artistic playground when AfA, along with an injection of The Fancy Toys musical band, hosted a live Art in Action event. Artists were spread around, painting on huge canvases live to the music, and engaged members of the public.

National Three Peaks Challenge. June 2009, Scotland
UK Managing Director Emily Hatfield coordinated a team that embarked on an intense physical challenge to raise money for our African programs. The challenge involved climbing Britain’s three highest peaks – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – all within 24 hours.

Paradise Gardens Festival. June 2009, London, UK
Victoria Park magically transformed into a modern day pleasure garden for a weekend packed full of events and entertainment in the heart of the East End, London. We showcased our AfA Artwork Line and raised awareness of our programs and work.

Figment Festival. June 2009, New York, USA
In the spirit of Burning Man, AfA combined drama with art and created an Art in Action installation comprised of human bodies. The volunteers entered the space to be transformed by human hand into a variety of shapes and were named, as if they were plants in a garden.

Sierra Club Awards Dinner. June 2009, New York, USA
We were at the NY Chapter’s Awards Dinner to feature and sell beautiful paintings and artwork by our African community participants.

New York Music Event. November 2008, New York, USA
The Melissa Kate Project entertained a crowd of attendees, and volunteers gave a presentation to introduce AfA to NYC residents, arts educators and leaders in the arts community.

Music for Change. April 2008, Chesterfield, UK
St Thomas’ Church held an evening of entertainment from performers Ashley Radford and an A Cappella vocal quartet called Vocal Fusion that was formed by students at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Proceeds went to the Leukaemia Research Fund and AfA.

Painter Meets Rock Musicians. February 2008, London, UK
An English pub was the host of a unique event for AfA’s first fundraiser and Art in Action event. Executive Director Hilary Wallis teamed up with London based band The Blues Nuns and painted live during the band’s performance which formed a duet of music and art. Four paintings were created, and all sold in a live auction on the night.