Local artists assist Belize
Posted on 19 Aug 2009 by James Willamor
Rural Belize home, May 2009. photo: James Willamor; view this photo on Flickr
day: Friday, Aug 21
time: 7:30–11:30pm
where: Area 15 Roofless Building
Charlotte area artists and creative spirits will come together Friday to help a new art gallery open. Only the new gallery isn’t located in the city, or even this country.
Details after the break:
According to Area Fifteen owner and facilitator Carlos Espin, “Opera singer, Marine, and poet Jeff Braaten is hosting an array of guests to raise funds to buy art for an empty art gallery in Belize.” Braaten’s parents have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of the people of this small Central American country. His mother drives a mobile library and teaches children to read, and his father helps build homes. According to Carlos, it cost about $5,000 to build basic housing in Belize.
The Braatens have recently built an art gallery in Belize and hope to provide art education, however they currently have no art to fill the gallery. Donations collected at the door Friday will go to purchase art for the gallery, and donations of artwork will be accepted. Any donated art needs to be in approved, internationally mailable containers.
According to Carlos, the event will feature plenty of music, food, and drinks. The fundraiser is being held at what is known as “the roofless building” — a sort of annex of the Area Fifteen art collective. Located on Parkwood Ave. at Pegram St., the site was home to the Free Store before it moved to the main Area Fifteen location at 15th St. and North Davidson St. One side of the roofless building was recently repainted, and a poem by Jeff Braaten will soon cover the wall. A Facebook page has been created for the event as well.
The roofless building on Parkwood Ave. photo: James Willamor; view this photo on Flickr
Love to hear about people helping artists in Belize. I helped basketweavers from San Jose, Belize sell their baskets here in the USA, and would like to see them featured in a gallery or two. They are some of the best basketweavers in the world.
Pam
Damn. Wish I could go, though I suppose they’ll happily take cash any time.
Love Belize. Seriously. L.O.V.E. Love Belize. I’ll make a point to visit their gallery often after I retire there.
Thanks for reporting on this, James. It makes me heart-happy to hear about projects like this.
hi,
was looking around and came across your page. My daughter just moved to hopkins last year and is teaching homeschoolers. we are a spiritual family and artists. i’m still in the states, washington. one of our goals is to expand homeschool and really focus on art, all kinds. we are native people and have done art our whole life. i’m wondering how to facilitate donations for the children to get the supples they need such as paper and pencils, maybe some paint and brushes, glue, beads etc. jamari my daughter has been using plants to obtain colors, which is really cool cuz i’m old school. and thats the way we used to paint. Any suggestions would be much loved.
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