Painting, Poetry & People Power: A Haitian Experience in Creativity and Spirit
Virtual paint-along, poetry and storytelling session celebrating the role of art in community building and the work of Beyond Borders in Haiti helping to build indigenous movements liberating people from isolation and oppression.
Windsor, Vermont (July 5, 2021) – Paint your very own masterpiece together with internationally renowned artist and instructor, Patrick Noze, while exploring spoken word performance with cclaimed poet Marcus Ellsworth and movement-building stories with Haitian grassroots organizers from Beyond Borders, working in Haiti with local community builders to end child slavery, prevent violence against women, guarantee universal education and promote sustainable livelihoods. This free event will be held via Zoom on Thursday, July 29, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
The event is co-sponsored by Black Lives Matter Windsor, Vermont (BLMWVT) and the Windsor Public Library. No painting experience is required, and all are welcome to attend. More information and a supply list can be found at the event's Facebook page.
"We hope everyone who's always wanted to try their hand at painting, but may have found it intimidating, joins us for this fun and educational evening," says event coordinator Jeff Rogers, a longtime artist and associate with Beyond Borders. "Come explore your creative spirit, and hear stories from people who are often not heard while having laughs and fun all at the same time."
Though Haiti is frequently referred to as the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, this evening is an opportunity to discover and participate together in some of the ways in which Haiti's abundance of creativity, human spirit and the power of people organizing to determine their lives, can inspire and instruct us all, even in the face of circumstances as extreme as child slavery.
"I've had the deep pleasure of collaborating with both Patrick Noze and Marcus Ellswiorth while living and working with Beyond Borders in Haiti and Miami," Rogers says. "They each stand as living testament to the power of the arts in changing lives. It's a gift to be able to share their insights and talents not just with our community in Windsor, Vermont, but virtually with anyone who wants to join us in this unique experience. "
Beyond Borders works to strengthen social movements in Haiti led by Haitians. Their focus is to equip movements in Haiti to: end child slavery; prevent violence against women and girls; guarantee universal, quality primary education for every child; and lift the very poorest families out of extreme poverty so that they can provide for themselves and live with dignity. They will share stories that illustrate their impact in these movements as participants create together and there will be an opportunity to support this important and vital work.
Patrick Noze, a third-generation Haitian artist, painter, and sculptor, specializes in subjects ranging from realism, surrealism, impressionism, abstract works, sculpture and portraits. Noze seeks to capture everything he sees, dreams, or encounters as inspiration for his work. Some of his most notable works record and celebrate the Haitian experience. He has maintained a community teaching center in Orlando, Florida, and has a very fun, accessible and entertaining approach to teaching.
Marcus Ellsworth, a celebrated spoken word artist and activist based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, brings poetry, humor and heart to pertinent political issues. In addition to his work as a social justice editor and writer for MTV news, Ellsworth travelled in Haiti with Beyond Borders' visiting artists in 2010. He will share some of his work from that time and new reflections during the event.
The event is free. Participants who would like to paint along will need to purchase a few specific paints, brushes and a 16" x 20" canvas, all easily obtained at any local Michael's or other art supply store for a total of around $40. Limited scholarships are available to offset the material costs. Please contact the organizers through the Facebook event page or through the email address provided below for more information.
To learn more about the upcoming event visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/528888541797940/
Materials Needed:
Small tube each of Liquitex Basics: Titanium White, Burnt Umber Raw Sienna, Cobalt (or primary) Blue, Cadmium Yellow, Hooker (or grass) Green, A number 10, no. 4 and no. 2 brush. A 16x20 canvas and an inexpensive easel (optional)
For media inquiries, contact: Jeff Rogers, tiboutjeff@gmail.com or 603-767-1803.
Patrick will be teaching us based on his impressionistic painting of the Citidel, an architectural marvel in Haiti surrounded by a rolling mountainscape.
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