news :: press releases
11.24.08
Contact: Kath Cameron
Swirly Sunburst
swirlysunburst@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Branchville, NJ - Art Lives Studio, representing Haïtian American painter / musician,
Nadïne LaFond, and her original works on paper, canvas and music, is donating original artwork, which is committed to giving 100% net proceeds to two Haitian relief organizations,
Yéle Haïti and Art Creation Foundation for Children.
Over the next few weeks toward the holidays, a collection of the artist’s works will be available for sale at
www.artlives.net to assist the two relief organizations to send urgent resources to Haiti. Collectors can either
buy artwork for their personal collection or donate funds toward artwork to be given to children's hospitals to
help brighten their environment during the healing process. Checks, money orders or PayPal payments should be
sent directly to Yéle Haïti or Art Creation Foundation for Children.
Yéle Haïti, a foundation started by Grammy-Award winning musician, producer and social entrepreneur,
Wyclef Jean, that is changing lives in the desperately poor
but optimistic nation of Haiti, launched the "Haïti Storm Relief Fund" to provide food, water, purification tablets,
tents, blankets, medical supplies, hygiene kits as well as funds to a number of non-profit organizations working on
the ground to respond to the emergency.
Art Creation Foundation for Children, [conceived by Haitian artist, Turgo Bastien
and co-founded] by photographer, art collector and small business owner,
Judy Hoffman, is a grassroots non-profit for education and personal growth of children in
Jacmel, Haiti. Arts education, food, health care, schooling and support for children ages 6+ who had not been
eating regularly nor attending school. Art Creation Foundation for Children is a pacifist NGO
(non-governmental organization) with no religious or governmental affiliation. Their goal is to help Haïtian
children become self sufficient via the arts. Every penny raised goes to Haïti.
According to a press release from Yéle Haïti dated September 9th of this year, the storms that have battered Haiti
in the past few months have left more than 500 dead and wreaked havoc in the lives of more than 600,000 people who
have been displaced by flooding or cut off from food supplies. As if matters weren’t already hellish, Haiti
suffered a second school collapse this month, this time in city of Petionville, where the death toll is up to 94.
As an artist of Haitian descent, LaFond is especially concerned with supporting work that brings positive focus and
encouragement to the self-determination of her cultural homeland. Says LaFond, "Most of us in the so-called
‘developed’ world take our resources for granted. Regardless of my personal struggles in the States, fellow Haitians
are suffering in ways I can’t even imagine. As my mother taught my siblings and me growing up, ‘Even if you have
only one gourde to your name, someone else could always use that twenty five cents.’ It’s good advice."
LaFond continues, "This painting, [‘Gift of the Ancestors’], is a reminder of the price that was paid for me to
access my life’s full potential. I am so grateful for the ability to help. I encourage everyone to offer their
talents, share ideas and please donate generously to these organizations."
LaFond, lead singer for experimental roots band, Swampadelica, is featured as back up vocalist on Phish bassist
Mike Gordon’s new album, "The Green Sparrow" and
on moe.’s new album, "Sticks & Stones" and as lead vocalist on
Swampadelica’s new release, "S’ac Passé?".
To view the studio’s collection of donating original art by Nadïne LaFond, visit www.artlives.net. To participate as a fellow artist or share your fundraising ideas, contact studio@artlives.net.
To learn more about Yéle Haïti, visit www.yele.org; To learn more about Art Creation Foundation for Children, visit www.artforhaitianchildren.org; To learn more about artist, Judy Hoffman, visit www.judyhoffmanphotography.com; To learn more about Swampadelica, visit www.swampadelica.com. To receive photographs and further information, contact Kath Cameron at swirlysunburst@gmail.com.
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