ArtReach

The biggest barriers to creativity are the voices of other people in your head.  You know what I mean, as soon as you decide to do something different, wear something new, or even question staus quo the voices start.  “Why are you doing that?  YOU CAN’T DO THAT!” “That’s stupid” or my personal favorite: “I dont’ get it” (I get that one a lot).
Here’s what I do to silence the voices…

1) Tell them it’s time to go…

The voices could be anyone…a co-worker, a friend, a teacher, a parent, or that one guy.  I’m not saying that these people don’t love, support, or even encourage you; but when it’s time to get creative you need to go it alone.

2) Know your worth…”For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”  Ephesians 2:10

Sometime we fear being creative because we don’t think that our ideas have value or add value.  But you were created just the way you are for a reason.   Don’t squander the creativity place within you.  Your creativity may motivate others into their best moments…you may start a creative revolution in your worklplace, home, neighborhood, or even the whole city.

3) Risk something.  Too often our live lack creativity because we are afraid to take risks.  Hey, we can’t take anything with us when we go.  Let’s not leave anything on the table.  Risk money, pride, and power for the sake of being the person you were created to be….in the end the risk will be worth it.

Congrats to Sarah Horstman (13) who won first place for her age category at St Mary-of-the-Woods Youth Art Contest.  She was awarded a $1000 first year scholarship to SMWC.  Click here to read all about it.

Caitlyn Stephens cleaned up at the 41ST Annual Swope Student Art Exhibition when she won 1st AND 2nd places in the painting category.   Not limited to 2D work, Caitlyn also took home 2nd place in the ceramics category.  Click here to read the Tribune Stars story.

Emily Brown and Gabbi Roach were both awarded scholarship’s to Indiana State University’s School of Art.

I’m so proud of these girls…{sniff} [tear]

Jack

We had a pretty big crowd at ArtReach last night, we even had a few new friends show up.   I even had to go and borrow chairs from the neighbors!  All I can say is that it was a great vibe; people making new friends, helping each other, laughing, learning and creating.  If life is a baked potato; last night was the butter, sour cream and bacon bits.

What is it about art that creates this environment?  I have my ideas but would love to hear from you, so leave some posts here for others to read.

What’s your favorite thing(s) about ArtReach?  I would love to hear that as well.

As we continue to grow it may be necessary to add another time slot or we could lengthen the time ArtReach is open to allow more people to come and go, which means we need some volunteers to put down their brushes and serve others during ArtReach.  What do you think?  (”ArtReach Volunteer” looks great on a resume btw).

I am heading off to NY this week to attend the Encounter Conference in Manhattan.

Encounter 09 | Art in Action is International Arts Movement’s annual gathering of artists and creative catalysts to wrestle with the deep questions of art, faith and humanity, to inspire the creative community to engage with the culture that is, and to create the world that ought to be.

To say I am excited is a severe understatment.  Check out the link above to see why.

Peace to you.

Jack Fox

One of our ArtReach regulars, Gabbi Roach, created artwork that matched the theme for a six week sermon series that ends this Sunday.  So far, she has created 3 very large paintings (on the right side below) that matched the theme of “Bigger Dreams – Bigger God.” I (Jack) created the other two on the left.

Gabbi will finish out the series this Sunday at eXchange (Maryland Community Church @ 6pm).

Art at eXchange

Gabbi Roach 60x96

Sorry folks ArtReach will be cancelled on Wednesday.

Sorry folks but ArtReach has been canceled due to weather.

See you next week.
Jack

Ahhhhh the sweet comfort of getting back into a routine.  I don’t know about you but I missed see all of you at ArtReach…we had some crazy weather in December that shut us down a few times.

So heres what is happening this month:

ArtReach (adult 16+) Tuesdays 6-8pm – Come and make art for free!  No talent required, just come have fun.

Kidz Night – Wednesdays 6-7pm  Organized creative chaos!  Have a blast with your kids creating art…best part is no mess at YOUR house!  Plus IT’S FREE!

LIT 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 8pm (following ArtReach) – LIT is a poetry, music, song, video, and overall creative soup.  People gather together and share their auditory creations.

School of Rock – Dates will be announced soon!  Free acoustic guitart lessons.

Looking forward to seeing you all very soon…like tomorrow!

I love new ideas.  So who has some fresh new ideas of things we could do at ArtReach?  What would you like to see or do?  One thing I would like to do this year is road trip to the Broad Ripple Arts Fair or some other event.  So leave a post and share you ideas.  Let’s brainstorm!

ArtReach Christmas/New Year Schedule

Kidz Night will be closed Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.  We will reopen on January 7th to start the new year with some serious creativity!

Adult night will continue it’s regular schedule out of fear of what people would do to me if I closed it.

LIT will resume on January 6th.

Hey guys,

I hope you like the new website.  If you have any content that you would like to add just let me know.  I would really like to fill this site with the things that have been created by the ArtReach peeps.   If you would like to post some photos of your artwork or your poems please get them to me.  Maybe you would like to add some of your own content; that would be great as well.

We have a lot going on right now…

ArtReach: Adults Tuesdays 6-8pm; Kidz Night Wednesdays 6-7pm

LIT: Poetry Night. The 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month.  Bring your original poetry to share with others or just come to listen.

School of Rock: We have been offering free acoustic guitar lessons throughout the year and will resume in January.  Look for an application to be posted on this site very soon.

Leave a post below and tell me what you would like to see on this site…I am always looking for some fresh ideas!!!

Peace to you.

Jack