news :: press releases
12.7.09
|
Contact: Kath Cameron Swirly Sunburst swirlysunburst@gmail.com |
Who: Art Lives Studio & White Lotus Home What: WINTER OPEN STUDIO: Holiday Caribbean Art Exhibit & Sale to Benefit ACFFC When: Sun. Dec. 20, 2009 @ 2 - 6PM Where: Lotus Studios Gallery, Highland Park, NJ |
WHEN ART = EMPOWERMENT FOR HAITI’S YOUNGEST ARTISTS
Highland Park, NJ - Haitian American artist / musician, Nadïne LaFond of Art Lives Studio and Marlon Pando, founder of White Lotus Home, a natural bedding company and its eco art gallery, have collaborated to present WINTER OPEN STUDIO, a Holiday Caribbean Art Exhibit & Benefit on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 2PM - 6PM. This event including a featured group show titled, "Piti Piti Plein Kay: Small Works by Contemporary Caribbean Artists" is a part of Art Lives Studio’s Haiti Relief Benefit program and will support Art Creation Foundation for Children (ACFFC), a non-profit arts organization created for education and personal growth of children (6 - 11 years) in need in Jacmel, Haiti. Tickets are $15 and $20 and may be purchased online at www.artlives.net/openstudio.htm.
The aim of the featured exhibit is to present a diverse and engaging array of tiny works of art produced sustainably that takes a look at how a small, thoughtful impulse, like a seed, can hold great meaning and potential to transform while sharing with viewers and collectors a snapshot of the artists' Caribbean heritage. The title of the show, "Piti Piti Plein Kay " was named by exhibiting artist, Turgo Bastien, and is a Haitian expression, which means that even a tiny light can fill an entire house. Bastien originally conceived of the Art Creation Foundation for Children, which is now directed by co-founder and photographer, Judy Hoffman, in Florida and Georges Metellus in Jacmel, Haiti.
Event Coordinator, Nadïne LaFond, says "I traveled to Haiti this Summer and was fortunate enough to meet the amazing students at ACFFC who are thriving in a loving community. Amidst all the tragic press that Haiti receives, it’s wonderful to share the strong community efforts existing all over the country."
Judy Hoffman, tireless Director of ACFFC, has been expanding the quickly growing and vastly loving community of supporters for the over 60 students in Haiti. “I am grateful ", says Judy, "for all of those who care about our children in Haiti. These are children who were once hungry, fearful, and hopeless. And now, they are secure, with light in their eyes, able to write their names, able to envision a future for themselves each and together as a community.”
This event invites the public to discover a small treasure, which inspires and uplifts while helping to sustain working artists at home and beyond. An open call to green vendors and sponsors is posted at www.artlives.net/openstudio.htm for the show’s Green Gift Shop and to help cover costs of the event. Sponsorships and vendor fees donate 40% proceeds to ACFFC.
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Ivan Arocha (Cuba) Turgo Bastien (Haiti) Scherezade Garcia (Dominican Republic)
Iliana García (Dominican Republic) Maggie Hernandez (Dominican Republic)
Clarice Jones (Haiti) Nadïne LaFond (Haiti) Nacho Montero (Cuba)
Adam Ramirez (Puerto Rico) Copie Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)
ABOUT ART CREATION FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN
Art Creation Foundation for Children (ACFFC), conceived by Haitian artist, Turgo Bastien,
and co-founded by Director and photographer, Judy Hoffman, is a grassroots non-profit for the education and personal growth of children in Jacmel, Haiti providing 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 Haitian children become self sufficient via the arts. Every penny they raise goes to ACFFC's school in Haïti.
To learn more about ACFFC and its programs, visit www.artforhaitianchildren.org.
To learn more about this event, visit www.artlives.net/openstudio.htm.
To learn more about White Lotus Home, visit www.whitelotus.net.
To learn more about Art Creation Foundation for Children,
visit www.artforhaitianchildren.org;
To participate as a fellow artist in future Haiti Relief Benefits or to share your fundraising ideas,
contact studio@artlives.net.
To receive photographs and further information, contact Kath Cameron at swirlysunburst@gmail.com.
[back to top]