Spotlight Project: MasterPEACE: Young Artists Making A Kinder World
Today Marks the Beginning (TMtB) uses art to impact public awareness of social issues. We make art. We take social action. We create peace and justice.
Today Marks the Beginning is a group of creative individuals who believe in the power of art to transform lives and enrich communities. Check out our blog: http://todaymarksthebeginning.blogspot.com/
Today Marks the Beginning partners with foundations, schools, and other organizations to promote community interaction and to help make a positive difference in the lives of all people though creative expression.
We are honored and thrilled to be this year's recipient of the Art Conspiracy grant. Two fabulous events July 16 & October 23.
The first event Friday, July 16th at 7:00 p.m. Art Conspiracy will host SEED, its annual operational fundraiser at the Sons of Herman Hall located at 3414 Elm Street in Dallas.
Art Conspiracy is street level philanthropy. Members of the creative community in North Texas pool their talents to create bi-annual fundraising events that support other nonprofit arts programs. Art Conspiracy events are affordable and they give everyone a chance to purchase original artwork at a reasonable price. Art Conspiracy is a 501c3 organization with IRS nonprofit status (so your donations and auction purchases are tax deductible!)
Since 2005, Art Conspiracy has raised over $70,000 for many groups. Tickets & more:
New Video - MasterPEACE Be amazed and inspired: watch the 7 minute video by John Katz of the children at LL Hotchkiss creatng shadowbox art. Children from around the world, many in the US for only a few weeks, created art reflecting what they would do for the children of Darfur, "If I Were a Great Peacemaker". World leaders take note.
This link will take you to our You Tube channel to watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knvIwoOIvE8
MasterPEACE: Young Artists Making a Kinder World. TMtB Workshops are a model for students in resolving conflicts with peers, family, friends in school, in the neighborhood, at home and in more
Be enlightened and inspired by the Great Peacemakers Like You and Me video by John Katz, with music by James Neel. See it on YouTube: Great Peacemakers Like You and Me.
The 225 students in the middle school of Irma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School participated in our INFLUENCE lesson. Check out the results at our interactive INFLUENCE blog: MasterPEACE: INFLUENCE
Contact: KBlessen@TodayMarksTheBeginning.org
There are currently 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., all with a unique and personal story of their fight with cancer. "Tell Her Story" is a therapeutic program designed to further the healing of breast cancer survivors and awaken personal identities of beauty and strength.
Seven Artists and Survivors will partner in this project to "Tell Her Story". The process will be documented in an interactive blog site that will also invite other survivors to participate and contribute their art and stories to the site. In the spring of 2011 an exhibit and show will display the stories to the public. Similar outreach programs are being planned for local survivors in the Dallas community. If you would like to help "Tell Her Story" or partner with TMtB on this project, please contact Diane Hosey, project manager, end_of_the_skype_highligemail at:
dhosey@todaymarkstheeginning.org
Stations Two
A story about the transformative power of art giving voice to forgiveness under horrific circumstances. Stations TWO, an interactive artwork gathering the collective voice of forgiveness began its tour in Dallas on its way to Kigali, Rwanda to help commemorate the 15th anniversary of the genocide. Stations Two is now a part of the permanent collections at the Genocide Museum in Kigali. Watch the film on YouTube
Artists and educators teach children about peace through art and improvisation…more
An interactive public artwork, STATIONS, echoes recorded words of forgiveness and graffiti expressions of human rights…more
Various social issues are explored by creating art, music and theatre…more
Newest addition: Art Mark #1 by James Neel. See the video! Time 1:40. Dallas Artist Nancy Rebal talks about her portrait of "Madalene" http://bit.ly/48y1eb
Watch all TMtB Videos including the original TMtB documentary film by Ginny Martin. And Flip-cam interviews with the teachers and facilitators of the MasterPEACE program. Watch on TMtB youtube channel.
We want YOU to be a part of our ongoing work. As you read about TMtB projects, watch the slide shows and experience the reactions of those impacted in our video, please consider volunteering your time and making a donation…moreWe make art.
We take social action.
We create peace and justice.
Photos by John Katz, Karen Blessen, Nancy Rebal, James Neel, Lou Michaels
VISIONARY DONORS
Embrey Family Foundation www.embreyfdn.org
Jill Peterson, D.D.S., Ph.D. Uptown Endodontics, PA www.uptownendo.com
GOLD LEVEL DONORS
ArtSpirit
Christy Williams
Kelly Nash
Barbara Miller
Kesheth Dancers
Bette Buschow
SILVER LEVEL DONORS
Advocate Foundation www.advocatemag.com
Don Clampitt and The Clampitt Foundation
The Goss-Michaels Foundation www.gossmichaelfoundation.org/
Lea Beach
Jody Johnson
MAJOR IN KIND DONORS
John Katz Photography
James Neel Music House
Fast Cut Edits
Dr. Karen Bembry
Dr. Donna Bearden
Don Wilmarth
Kip Lott
Brent McMahon
Willie Baronet
Pam Sparks
Darcy Brown
Gracie Golonka
Kent Barker Photography
Margaret Wolf Photography
Jeff Baker Photography
Tim Coursey
David Searcy