ArtReach

The School of Rock started a month ago with 18 people signed up and more just showing up! Dustin Allen is doing a great job of teaching both young and old(er) the basics of acoustic guitar. We may have the next Yngwie Malmsteen right here in Terre Haute!

We have also had some big numbers at adult night, last Tuesday we had about 30 people there and it was a blast. Elbow to elbow art making…good times.

School of Rock

Session 1 2010

Dates: Mondays Jan 11^th – March 29^th (12 sessions)

Time: 6pm-8pm

Location: ArtReach Studio 681 ½ Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47803.  Enter up the stairs between Corner Grind and Crossroads Café.

Cost: FREE!  You will need to supply your own guitar but let us know if you need one.

Who: Anyone can apply.  Approval of parent or guardian required if you are under 16.

Instructor: Dustin Allen

The School of Rock is part of the ArtReach program created by Maryland Community Church.  The program is made possible by grants from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation and the City of Terre Haute.

Our hope is to strengthen our community by providing access to the arts and by building relationships across all boundaries.

This session of the School of Rock will focus on learning the basics of playing guitar.  Students will learn in a group setting with the instruction of a seasoned musician Dustin Allen.

Click here for an application

Rock on my friends…rock on.

When Kathy Gotshall and I started ArtReach back in 2004* I don’t think we imagined the impact it would have on our city and especially our world.  Here are a few stories happening right now that shows the impact that the idea of ArtReach is having.

- ZIMABAWE, AFRICA – Last week we had a record number of attendees at ArtReach, it was a great time to have Kim Jewell there to talk about her relief efforts in Zimbabwe, Africa.  Kim is a part of Operation Joseph – a ministry of Youth With a Mission (YWAM).  ArtReach will be partnering with Kim to create 2 fresh water wells that will provide people with clean drinking water; something that is very scarce in Zimabwe.  It will cost about $1000 dollars to build 2 wells.  I believe that ArtReach can easily reach this goal.  We will be hosting a fundraiser in the fall to accomplish this goal.  Learn more about Kim Jewell by going here.

- PARIS, FRANCE I met on June 25th with Chad and Traci Jackson, a wonderful couple that I met at the International Arts Movement (IAM) conference in New York City.  We instantly hit it off, in spite of my first experience with motion sickness thanks to an hour long stint on the subway.  The three of us were late for the first session and rather than walk in and embarrass ourselves we decided to wait it out for the next session. We then spent the evening touring the Chelsea art district and had dinner.  As usual I was eager to talk about ArtReach and learned that they are moving to France in about a year to start an ArtReach-esque program.  The program will be a tool to build relationships with people in France and to begin discussions about faith, spirituality and Jesus.  Art is a wonderful way to connect with people, as it breaks through social barriers.  Learn more about Chad a Traci here

So anyone up for a road trip to Paris next year?

PS…as I was typing this I was having a conversation with Richard Fudge a friend of mine from Memphis:

Richard: i know. im stealing what works.

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!