children – WOMAN IS KEY®

Next Generation

There are several definitions of dream, but today let’s take a look at only one. Only one, because our purpose is: to direct or redirect the effort needed to accomplish a goal. What we are focusing on, is the meaning of dream as a strongly desired goal or purpose. The type of goal that you will not give up, and even if you slow down a little, is still well worth time and energy.

There are as many dreams as there are people in this world. Be that as it may, one dream is not better than the other. Hopefully however, your dream though equally important, will leave a legacy and continue for generations to come.

In the light of this plan for continuity, there is a music concert coming up in the Ghanaian capital of Accra. It will take place on Saturday March 22, 2014.

This is a concert to raise awareness of the situation of children. With awareness comes commitment and with commitment comes action.

Whether son or daughter, all children are important.

We also know that children can be strongly influenced by other people or state of affairs. It is incumbent on society then to put its best into the equation of their lives.

One of the best societies have to offer is music. The creativeness of musicians is not in doubt, and they can move the soul and spirit into action. As to whether one type of music is better than another, I’ll leave that for you to decide. Music like anything else should however, add a benefit to your life rather than create an atmosphere where your life is in jeopardy.

I spoke to Nana Adwoa Ackom-Mensah, the Dream Child Foundation Ambassador/Fundraiser. I asked her: “There is so much to do, how do you choose projects to sponsor.”

She replied: “The Dream! Child Foundation raises funds for institutions that help in the betterment of education, health or any positive growth of the children of Ghana and Africa on the whole. In 2012, the Foundation raised funds for the Children’s ward at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and in May 2013 raised funds for the children in Apam. These same children later came to the Scratch Studios to record a remix of Osibisa’s “Happy Children.”

“In March 2014, Dream! Child Foundation will be holding its third Concert to raise funds for the Orphan Aid Africa, which is based in Dodowa, Ghana.”

Awesome!

The Ambassador is looking forward to hang out with us in Accra.

Neighbor, make it happen!

It’s nice when someone famous or powerful assists in making things better locally.

It’s also nice when others get involved and not wait.

I volunteered at the recent (e)merge Art Fair in Washington DC. As an artist I wanted to experience meeting other artists in exhibition mode. How artists come across to the average buyer or browser and maybe learn something more about the dynamics of social interaction.

Since I was a volunteer, I got to know as many artists as I could and got them to explain their work. I did this in order to point people to their respective booths when asked.

One of the booths I went to was occupied by Beth Hansen and Ann-Marie VanTassell, together with other members of Pleasant Plains Workshop.

Their enthusiasm was indeed infectious as they invited a number of people to take part in their screen printing demos. I did a demo and got to keep the screen printed scarf they helped me make.

It became a nice gift for my wife.

After the Art Fair, we kept in touch by email and I found out that we also have the same interest: children.

I teach children in church the Bible and they teach children and others in their neighborhood art program.

I also found out that the two ladies had met at the Corcoran College of Art + Design in 2007. Beth had studied printmaking and Ann-Marie photojournalism.

After working for a few years and trying to make art in the city, Beth and Ann-Marie both began to feel the struggles that many young artists face.

Ann-Marie said: “We needed studio space, but we could barely afford rent. We also missed the sense of an artistic community that we felt while in school. One day we just decided to band together and make things happen!”

She continued: “We started The Arcade, which is a non-profit dedicated to keeping the arts accessible in our neighborhood. We do a lot of pop-up workshops with different after school programs focusing mainly on print mediums, but some painting and sculpture gets mixed in there, too. We are most proud of our after school art program we started with DASH (District Alliance for Safe Housing)” http://www.dashdc.org/2013/10/08/art-group-from-the-childrens-perspective/

Beth reminded me we also feel passionately about preventing domestic violence.

On the platform of life we all find ourselves, it’s good to meet like-minded people.

Check out these game-changers, Beth and Ann-Marie here: http://www.thearcadedc.blogspot.com/