Art for Africa Complete. . . and onto Phase 2: Extended Visa

ART FOR AFRICA FUNDRAISER EVENT: JULY 17TH: STAVER LOCOMOTIVE WAREHOUSE

And so it begins, my journey towards South Africa that is. The "AFA" event was a great success on many levels and I owe it all to the participating artists, musicians, friends and family that came out and showed their love and support for an amazing cause. I was truly impressed and inspired by the level of creative energy in that big warehouse and loved gazing upon such beautiful art while hearing an assortment of sweet tunes that ranged from African drumming to violin to folk and back again. Thank you all for coming out and donating towards the Community Arts Therapy Programme that I will be working with in Cape Town, SA in just 6 weeks time (count down is on)! When all was said and done we raised over $2,000 from the evening! I will be sure to keep you posted as to what types of programming and art supplies this will go towards once I land in Africa! Not much else to report, except next week I get a physical and TB test in preparation for getting my VISA. Exciting stuff.

P.S. As of today, I just posted an album of 200 photos from the Art for Africa evening. Be sure to see them here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=583770781#!/album.php?aid=192962&id=521758120&ref=mf

And one more side-note: If you couldn't make it out to the event but still would like to donate, it's not too late. Simply click on the "Donate" Paypal link on the top or bottom of this blog! Art therapy in South Africa thanks you kindly and so do I!

ANTICIPATING AFRICA AND. . . . GEARING UP FOR the ART FOR AFRICA FUNDRAISING EVENT

It's official: I've landed myself the Art Therapy internship of my dreams just outside Cape Town, South Africa and will be leaving the beginning of Sept. for 6-8 months. I will be located at the Community Arts Therapy programme in Nyanga, Western Cape South Africa and will be spending my days working with children in and from the local township schools, in the children's burn unit of the local Red Cross hospital, and running a group for mother's (many of them HIV+). Additionally I will be taking over the children's gardening project and hope to also introduce some phototherapy techniques into my art therapy practice. I will be bringing art materials/supplies and disposable cameras and am currently looking for any contributions either art wise or monetarily. In July I will be throwing a big Fundraising event which will be an evening of live music, arts, crafts, food, drink, and merriment. Stay tuned for details. In the meantime, check out the website and the links for the Community Arts Therapy Programme where I will be and keep up with my going-ons here: http://www.cath.co.za/index.php

I have been back in Portland now for nearly a month and have settled into my sweet little summer abode for all of what will be 3 months before departure for Cape Town.

The Art for Africa Event is well under way and has really taken on a life of it's own. If you don't already know about it. . . you should, it's going to be quite the party. . . complete with 6 music acts, 2 African drummers, 20-25 artists selling their work at the art fair portion of the evening and donating a portion of the proceeds to the cause, an art-making table (send a message/image to the children of South Africa on a prayer flag), delicious South African food provided by Mum's Kitchen, beer/wine, a desert bar, bonfire, dancing and all-round merriment:

WHAT: ART FOR AFRICA FUNDRAISER
WHEN: SATURDAY JULY 17th
TIME: 7-11 PM
WHERE: STAVER LOCOMOTIVE WAREHOUSE 2537 NW 29th AVE
PORTLAND, OREGON 97210
FACEBOOK INVITATION: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=644948302#!/event.php?eid=128138043878465&ref=ts

I have just added a Paypal button/link on this blog for those that can't attend
the event but would like to donate to the Community Arts Therapy
Programme that I am raising money for.
Simply click the "Donate" button on the top or bottom of my blog page for easy donating through Paypal!