Visual Arts Grant Drives CNY Artists to the Finish Line

Written November 14, 2008

Most people find it difficult to get things done without a to do list.  Award winning artists have the same problem. Light Work, a non-profit visual arts organization, serves the community by giving Central New York artists that extra push.  Light Work premiered  its 34th  Light Work Grants Photography exhibit featuring three artists who were awarded $2,000 grants.  The recipients were Kathy Morris, Paul Pearce and Nancy Keefe Rhodes.

"The Light Works Grant is such a wonderful tradition in upstate New York," visual artist Morris said.  "It's the only one of its kind. It's valuable on a lot of levels."

Morris, who also won the award previously in 1986, said the grant encouraged her to complete her most recent project  on pain, surgery and healing.

"I have a very active, creative life so I start something and get interested in something else," Morris said.

Morris works as a wedding photographer, photo journalist and yoga instructor but won the award for her fine arts photography.

"The grant is keeping me focused on this project," Morris said. "And of course when you stay focused you go deeper and then you can realize it more on different levels."

Since completing this exhibit, Morris is now closer to self-publishing a book on her series topic of Spiral Diary she said.  She had been contemplating the idea for three years before she received the grant she said.

"The idea could've gone on for ten years," Morris said.  "Now, I have an obligation to Light Work to finish it."

CFAC Offers Syracuse Caribbean Tour

Written November 5, 2008

The Community Folk Art Center hosted its 5th annual Caribbean Cinematic Film Festival that highlighted islands films and their directors.

CFAC "is committed to the promotion and development of artists of the African Diaspora," according to its Web site.

Quiana Williams, director of education at CFAC, organized the festival, was directed by Andrew Millington. Set in Barbados, the film followed a boy sent to spend the summer in the country with his grandparents.  His grandfather owned a construction company that many islanders despised because of the negative effects commercialization would have on the island.

Although the film ended prematurely due to technical glitches, Williams encouraged viewers to participate in a talk back with the director. The topic of gentrification took center stage.

"It seemed to be a very rich discussion," Williams said.  "One that a lot of people and communities need and engage in."  Especially when you are talking about communities of color that have been displaced , and in this film is the focus of that."

Other films featured during the festival were "Zora's Dream" by Millington, "Sistagood" directed by Yao Ramesar, "! Yo Soy Boriqua, Pa'Que Tu Lo Sepas!" (I'm Boriqua Just So You Know) and several Caribe animated short films.

"It, [the festival], runs the whole gamut of ethnic groups who are not featured in the mainstream media," Williams said, "so that's our focus when we do this." 

MLAB Increases Community Involvement

Written October 22, 2008

An intricately decorated recreational vehicle, the Mobile Literacy Arts Bus, sat in an empty lot next to the Community Folk Art Center on East street with its door wide open to the public.

CFAC invited the MLAB to join them during Syracuse Exposed, 40Below's Summit that is geared toward encouraging the community to visit stops along Syracuse's Connective Corridor.

The MLAB, a Partnership for Better Education project, was renovated by ten Syracuse University students during the fall of 2007 Social Sculpture class taught by Marion WIlson said MLAB coordinator Jessica Posner.

"The space was designed to be a mobile literacy, digital photography, alternative class room but a the same time, also community space and also as sort of a gallery," Posner said.

Although participating in Syracuse Exposed is one of the MLAB's first community engagements, it travels to George W. Fowler High School every week to help creative writing students develop their writing and photography skills Posner said.

The MLAB has been operating since spring of 2008 and plans to expand its program to include other Syracuse high school and increase its community engagements Posner said.

"We're working on building momentum and building connections," Posner said, "and hopefully making this a larger program with larger impact on the community."

Syracuse University Students Attend Free Symphony World Premier Concert

Written October 15, 2008

Syracuse University's Graduate School Associate Dean and renown vocalists Eileen Strempel's face contorted in pain as her angelic soprano voice wrapped itself around the disturbing nocturnal sounds that seeped out of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra's instruments.

The dark and eerily beautiful songs Strempel sang effortlessly were part of framed composer Libby Larsen's world premier of "The Unbearable Stillness: Songs from the Balcony."

Amy Mertz, scheduler in the Setnor School of Music, is in charge of organizing events and ensuring that visiting artists have everything they need.

SSO performs at Syracuse University, at least once a semester, said Mertz.

"It's important form on campus because a lot of the school of music students have teachers in the SSO," Mertz said. "Just as their teachers support them, it's important for them to see their teachers [perform]."

The world premier performance, which was free and open to everyone in the community, was sponsored by Pulse and the Syracuse Symposium this semester, according to Pulse's website.

Senior Maggie O'Hara, a family Psychology major, was one of hundreds of SU students that attended the performance.

"I enjoyed the show," O'Hara said. "I've never been one to attend orchestra symphony before and I ended up really enjoying it. It has really broadened my horizons."

Mertz said it's imperative that cultural experiences be available to all students.

"It's a very important event because SSO is a very large part of the culture center in Syracuse," Mertz said.  "For arts education, it's important that you have the opportunity to be exposed to all different kinds of event."

Partners for Better Education Picks Up Where the SCSD Budget Leaves Off

Written October 8, 2008

Syracuse City School District students are invited to 25 matinee performances at the Syracuse Stage this school year.  How much will the schools have to pay to allow their students to take advantage of these opportunities? Nothing.

A fairly new organizations housed at Syracuse University, Partnership for Better Education creates opportunities and offers Syracuse City School District funding to attend educational events.

 

The Partnership for Better Education coordinates projects between all schools in the SCSD amd the surrounding colleges and universities including SU, LeMoyne College, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, Onondaga Community College and SUNY Upstate Medical University.

"The real goal is to enhance the college going culture and hopefully through that significantly impact the graduation rate of students to go on and pursue college," said David Morgan, director of Partnership for Better Education.

The organization offers over education related experiences for students, Programs and grants for activities are based on proposals that some of the faculty members bring to the PBE, Morgan said.  The proposals are designed and are usually geared toward SCSD schools and teachers they already have established relationships with.

Although all SCSD schools may not consistently utilize PBE grants, most of the schools in the district are benefiting in some way by programs under the organization's umbrella like the MLab (Moblie Literacy Arts Bus, a rehabbed art gallery R.V. that travels to schools).

In order to measure the success and effectiveness of their programs, the PBE ask SCSD teachers and administrators to complete surveys.  The organization also encourages them to work with the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment to better coordinate the programs and partnerships in the future.

Morgan said the PBE has organized a variety of partnerships that he believes will change students' lives.  "Our hope is that through the variety of programs we offer througoht the district," Morgan said, "that each student will be touched in a way that allows them to see college as a real possibility."

Partners for Arts Education Connects Schools, Arts Organizations, and Funders

Written October 1, 2008

For nearly eight years, Syracuse Stage, Symphony Orchestra, The Everson Museum, The Community Art Center, Light Work and many other other organizations have received through Partner for Arts Education, a non-profit organization that matches funders with arts programs in need.

During a meeting in 1999, Laura Reeder, founder of Partners for Arts Education, noticed serious communication issues between arts organizations, Syracuse schools, and funders who were eager to donate money to arts education.

"I saw a major funder trying to bring arts education dollars to Syracuse and I didn't see anyone wanting to take their money," Reeder said. 

Reeder, with the guidance and support of a few friends, worked out the foundational elements for her organization, PAE.  Sh discovered a way to get money into the hands of Syracuse schools and cultural organizations.  PAE creates opportunities for schools and arts organizations to work together and how to utilize their funding to develop their arts programs.

"Our local arts and culture organizations have never wanted to stop being relevant to the schools," Reeder said.  "But it's an ongoing struggle to chase bureaucracy in education becaause they change it every year.  We're just trying to make it easier."

Arts Education Inspires Bond's Career

Written September 24, 2008

One can assume that those who are heavily involved with the arts were influence by arts education at some point during their lives.  Tim Bond, Syracuse Stage's new producing artistic director, is an example of the impact arts can have on a person's life.  Bond was exposed to several different art forms as a child, he said.

Encouraged by his parents, Bond submerged himself in the arts while attending Howard University.  HE was directing professionally by the time he was 19-years-old.

"Somewhere along the way, I realized that it wasn't just something to do for fun," Bond said, "and that this could be my life's work."

Today Bond continues his career as producing artistic director for both Syracuse Stage and the Syracuse University's Drama Department.  He served as artistic director for 11 years at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and held the same position during part of his 13 years career at the Seattle Group Theater.

At Syracuse Stage this fall, he directed "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" which opened the Stage's season.

Bond, who has won national awards for his work, has been making a successful living in the arts for over 20 years.  He said anyone can have a wonderful career  in the arts, but the key is to "decide to live simply, and living fully and deeply" is enough.

Are Wilson's Plays Over Produced?

Written Sept. 17, 2008

August Wilson is known for his 10 play cycle, which chronicles African America life in America throughout the 20th century with each play set in a different decade.  

Syracuse stage has produced three of Wilson's plays with in the last six years.  "Jitney" in the fall of 2000, "Gem of the Ocean" in fall 2006 and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"  which opens this fall.

The question this presents is why are Wilson's plays produced so often. The "Wilson is the only talented playwright that focuses on African-American issues" syndrome not only effects Syracuse Stage but theaters throughout the United states including repertory and high schools alike.

Kyle Bass, Syracuse University theater professor and playwright, teaches playwriting at Goddard College in a low residency program as well.  This New York Foundation for the Arts award recipient has won awards for is plays that feature African American stories.

Although Bass celebrates Wilson's work, he said he believes the creation and production of more plays that encompass the minority experience are essential to the world of theater.

Hopefully, Wilson's plays, as great as they may be, will stop hogging the spotlight from new playwrights and allow them to come through the door he has opened.

"The Family that Preys" Prayers Were Answered

Written September 22, 2008

Self-established media mogul Tyler Perry, film producer, screen writer, director, playwright, and actor, debuted his fifth feature film, "The Family that Preys," this weekend.  His usual stock characters and a few new ones circle around familiar themes within this new plot.  As with Perry's previous films, his latest one deals with issues of infidelity, miscommunication and self-denial. 

Although Perry's films and plays always feature African-American families, in this film, he introduces his first white family, the Cartwrights, a high society family that share's close ties with the Pratts, a lower-middle class African-American family.  Set in present day Carolina, instead of focusing solely on race, the film examines the effects of social stratification.

Small restaurant owner and devout Christian Alice Pratt (Alfre Woodad) is best friends with business woman and socialite Charlotte Cartwright (Kathy Bates).  The women, who met thirty years ago when Cartwright's husnad want to by Pratt's home to expand his development, support one another through mid-life changes.

However, their adult children, Pam Pratt (Taraji P. Henderson), Andrea Pratt (Sanaa Lathan) and William Cartwright (Cole Hauser), have complicated relationships as Pam and Andrea battle against one another while Andrea and WIlliam (who are both married to other people) have an affair.

An abundance of foreshadowing weakens the suspense of the film, and the lack of skilled cinematography is evident with the films unusual, unnecessarily long pans and stalled frames of black between scenes.

But throughout the film, the plot unravels, revealing a life-altering road trip, a bundle of arguments, and an affair that all lead to a series of intense, gripping, climaxes, making the film well worth seeing.

Perry continues to display positive views of African-Americans that are difficult to find in mainstream entertainment. And while Perry's inclusion of white characters may expand his audience, he continues to give his dedicated supporters what they love.

Perry gives each subplot closure, as Charlotte's favorite song reveals his inspirational message-"Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance, and when you get the choice to sit out or dance... I hope you dance," which audience members sung as they exited the theater.

Honey, Honey, Honey! (TIFF 08)

Viewed September 7, 2008 @ Toronto International Film Festival

Written October 13, 2008

"The Secret Life of Bees" is thoroughly about love- the loss of love, the search of love and the discovery of love.

Modeled after Sue Monkidd's same titled book, this film is stuffed with a talented well known cast including Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Hudson and Dakota Fanning.

Firaaq: Religious Discrimination Exposed (TIFF 08)

Viewed September 07, 2008 at the Toronto International Film Festival

Written September 08, 2008

While wearing a scarf rather than a sari means extra screenings at U.S. Airports, it's the difference between life and death in India.  After the September 11th attacks in America, Muslims were discriminated against all over the world.  "Firaaq" gives audience members a closer look at the effects of religious discrimination and violence in Gurat,India.  In 2002, over 3000 Muslims were murdered as a result of religious conflicts.

Nandita Das, female director and actress, uses graphic images of mountains of dead bodies, burnt buildings and bruised Muslims to expose the gruesome evil that hate and ignorance lead to.  She artistically weaves together the stories of three families (one Hindu, one Muslim, and One Mixed marriage) through a 24-hour period one month after the mass violent attacks. 

The film moves along quickly visiting each family.

The lower class Muslim family, Hanif, Muneera and their baby return home after hiding during the violent period. Their home has been completely destroyed by flames. As Muneera tries to restore the home, Hanif runs off with his friends and plans to attack the Hindu gang he thinks is responsible for his damaged home.

Arati and Sunjay are a middle class Hindu family. Arati hallucinates about victimizedMuslims begging her for help and practices self-mutilation as punishment for not offering any of them refuge. Unlike her husband Sunjay, Arati doesn't believe Muslims deserve mistreatment. She finally helps an orphaned by, Mohsin, by giving him a hindu name, Mohan, and claiming the boy as her servant to protect him.

The third family, Hindu Anu and her Muslim husband Sameer, broke social norms when they married each other. To protect himself, Sameer claims Anu's last name as his own but decides to move from Gujarat so he no longer has to hide his true identity. Anu is thankful Sameer's mother gave him a hindu name which lessens the possibility of him becoming a target. Unfortunately, their store is looted because "big brother" knows that Sameer is Muslim.

This powerful film, which contains themes of: domestic abuse, self-denial, orphaned children, crooked governments, irrational violence and above all else religious discrimination, will educate audiences about the battle between Hindus and Muslims in India while exposing the fact that all Muslims are  not like those involved in the terrorist attack of 911.

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