News Archive 2005
Bay Area book launch for community-based arts guide
Celebrate Beginner's Guide to Community-Based Arts at the local launch (house) party! I was pleased to work with authors Keith Knight (K Chronicles) and Mat Schwarzman on this unique, comics-illustrated non-fiction travelogue that visits real artists at work revitalizing communities across the U.S. The book profiles 10 inspiring programs through graphic stories with powerful, sometimes poignant, messages.
Friday, November 4, 2005, 6-8pm
1613 Delaware St., Berkeley (2 blocks east of North Berkeley BART)
Donations will benefit Students at the Center, a community-based creative writing program in New Orleans public schools. Or give online.
Justice matters: Artists consider Palestine.
The Berkeley Art Center and Middle East Children's Alliance present a limited edition box set and exhibition of the work of Palestinian and American artists, including Jesus Barraza, Eric Drooker, Ala Ebtekar, John Halaka, Christine Wong, Jos Sances and many more.
Exhibition:
November 6-December 17, 2005
Gallery Hours: Wed-Sat, noon to 5pm
Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut Street (in Live Oak Park)
Reception:
Sunday, November 6, 2 to 4 pm
All proceeds from the sale of the portfolio will benefit the creation of a graphics workshop in Ibdaa Cultural Center in Dheisheh refugee camp.
community-based art workshop gets great reviews
Posted October 22, 2005
Recently I lead an "Introduction to Community-Based Arts" workshop at the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights' (NNIRR) National Training Institute. About two dozen organizers from around the country participated. We looked at slides, discussed possible outcomes (such as community building, conveying marginalized histories, identifying issues), did hands-on drawing activities and looked at the methodology laid out in Beginner's Guide to Community-Based Arts.
I was really impressed with the quality of translation services that NNIRR provided. It dramatically improved the discourse when participants could express themselves equally.
Participants' evaluations were favorable. Here's two responses:
"Christine, thanks so much for sharing this with us. I think I can apply some of the exercises with our community – youth, kids and others."
"[The workshop] was excellent. I wanted to know of resources plus, actual experiences and I got both... The most useful [part] is the aspects of talking about community art. The background... and purpose of the art. I like the way it was framed – very useful."
Thanks NNIRR and all the wonderful participants!
Come and paint with me Labor Day Weekend!
August 14, 2005
Enjoy the sun, music and fun of painting “The Rhythms of Oakland” — a community mural project at the Art and Soul Oakland Festival September 3-5. The acrylic-on-wood-panel mural will be 48 feet long and 4 feet tall. I'm pleased to create this work under the guidance of noted community muralist Miranda Bergman… and to share a great weekend painting with friends, family and the public!
Art and Soul features several stages of music, lit and performance, family fun, artisan booths and tasty international food. See artandsouloakland.com for the complete line-up and details.
ambitious family art project mounts exhibition in oakland chinatown
August 14, 2005
100 Families Oakland: Art and Social Change -- an innovative community art project organized by F. Noel Perry and the California College of the Arts’ Center for Art and Public Life -- aims to engage 100 families in four Oakland neighborhoods. Since June, 25 Chinatown families have participated in drawing, painting, sculpture and dance workshops at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC).
As an artist-educator with the project, I've helped families to collaborate and make art about their family history and life in Oakland. Their works, among others, will be exhibited at OACC for a six-week show.
Please join us on Saturday, August 27 at 1 pm at OACC for the opening reception. The event coincides with Streetfest, a free community street festival.