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Dear Stamford Public School Principals and Community Leaders:
In keeping with our tradition, we would like to cordially invite your students to participate in our 2007 African American Month Art Exhibition which is entitled "How We Got Over". This exhibition includes works that depict multiple facets of the complex Black journey with travels beginning in Africa; moving through the Caribbean and reaching a final destination to the United States. Also included are works that illustrate how African American people, upon arriving in America, had to learn to "get over" oppression through endurance, hope, creativity, education, and religion -- resulting in personal triumphs, gaining the respect of others, and making significant contributions throughout U.S. society, both, back then and today.
"How We Got Over" 2007 Student Themes:
1. Soul Food
Students can be creative here and create artwork depicting what Soul Food means to them (i.e. Eating a great meal; being in a church and getting "spiritually" feed; having a girl's night out and enjoying the company of best friends; here again really soothing for the soul, etc.
2. Caribbean Connections
Students that have ancestry lines in Africa or the Caribbean can express what they are most proud of regarding their heritage. This may consist of highlight a favorite custom, person or location (Carnival, Bob Marley, Dun's River Falls, etc.).
3. Education and Professional Empowerment
Students can focus on one of the following African Americans who have made significant contributions to the American society. Artwork must be accompanied by a short passage that elaborates on the person being highlighted and may include a passage from one of their poems, a quote or something entirely unique. Students will be invited to read their passages during the reception and receive a special award for the extra effort.
a. Dr. Carter G. Woodson - Writer, Historian
b. Benjamin Banneker - Astronomer, Mathematician, Surveyor
c. Romare Bearden - Artist (Collage Artist)
d. The Tuskegee Airmen - Military
e. Dr. Benjamin S. Carson - Neurosurgeon
f. Bessie Coleman - Aviator
g. Maya Angelou - Poet and Writer
h. Elizabeth Catlett - Artist (Printmaker and Sculptor)
i. Madame C.J. Walker - Entrepreneur with specialty in Beauty Products and 1st Woman Millionaire
j. Oprah Winfrey - Television Commentator
4. Quilting and Crowning - The Art of Communicating Creatively
Students can create 3 dimensional and/or mixed media objects that reflect creative hairstyles, hats or quilts, each playing a significant role in African American History while demonstrating both communication and creativity at its best. Artwork must be accompanied by a short passage that elaborates on why the particular subject is of importance to them as well as to American history. Students will be invited to read their passages during the reception and receive a special award for the extra effort.
About the Program
Stamford Center for the Arts REACH OUT Program, in partnership with Picture That, LLC, a Cultural Fine Art Consulting Practice that focuses on promoting diversity and cultural awareness through the arts, launched a student visual arts and literacy program effective January 2004. The purpose of the program is to encourage K-12 students to contribute to Picture That's already existing cultural art programs and exhibitions in order to promote an awareness of the cultures that are being celebrated nationwide during
U.S.
diversity heritage and history months. This program is open to all interested students in grades K-12 that reside in
Fairfield County
,
Connecticut and special recognition is given to students who create both artwork and accompanying literary passages.
Is this a Contest? No, all program participants will be recognized.
Each participating student will be awarded a certificate of achievement for their artwork contribution as this is not a contest. The artwork created by the students will be exhibited with our on-going Cultural Awareness Exhibition Series at the Rich Forum, 307 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT. All student participants will be invited to attend a Cultural Awareness Reception along with their school principals, organization leaders, art teachers, family, friends and others as they choose. This reception is open to the public and free of charge. The reception dates and time will be confirmed shortly after the new year.
What exactly do I need to submit?
1. Interested students in grades K-12 should use their creative ability and talent to create a drawing, painting, collage or other two-dimensional work that is no larger than 24 x 36 inches. Group entries are also acceptable.
2. Each student's name, school, grade and/or community organization and the theme the art reflects should be listed on the front of the artwork in small print.
How should I submit the artwork?
Each school or community organization should assign a "Picture That Program Coordinator" who will sign-off on the submissions and ensure that each adheres to school standards and values, is properly labeled and is also reflective of the program themes. The "Picture That Program Coordinator" should also arrange to have the artwork delivered to Picture That, 84 Courtland Avenue, Stamford, CT by the deadline and ensuring that the students and applicable others are invited to the art reception.
When is the deadline?
All artwork must be submitted to Picture That Art Gallery no later than 5 pm on Wednesday, January 31,
2007.
Disclaimer: By submitting an entry, a participant agrees to allow Picture That, LLC to post his or her artwork on the Picture That web site and other communications materials. All artwork and all rights of ownership including all rights to use, reproduce, publish, modify, edit, and distribute the same will become the exclusive property of Picture That, LLC. Picture That, LLC its agent’s and contractor, are not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, or postage-due entries.
What other opportunities exist for students to exhibit artwork in 2007 ?
Students will be invited to submit works during the month of May in celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month and from September 15 - October 15 in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Please note that the works are due approximately 1 week prior to the beginning of each celebratory period and detailed instructions and recommended themes will be distributed approximately 1.5 months before each exhibition.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Picture That, LLC – 84 Courtland Ave
,
Stamford
,
CT
06902 203-977-8203 ● www.picture-that.com
SCA Reach Out, Rich Forum - 307 Atlantic St
,
Stamford
,
CT
06902 203-358-2305 ext 317 ● www.stamfordcenterforthearts.com
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