wca-stl activism

WCA Art & Social Justice Conference

2011-06-11T15:39:00.002-05:00

The midwest region of the

Women's Caucus for Art

Art & Social Justice conference

Friday, July 22, 2011

8AM-4PM

Regional Arts Commission

6128 Delmar Blvd

St. Louis MO 63112

Held in conjunction with the national Women's Caucus for Art

Summer Board meeting July 21- 24, St. Louis, MO

Tickets avaiblle at http://wcaartsocialjusticeconference.eventbrite.com/

The WCA's mission is to create community through art, education, and social activism. We recognize the important role that the arts play in all our lives and acknowledge the power of the arts to affect positive change. In this spirit, the conference is intended to be a venue in which to explore the role of the arts in promoting social justice and quality in our communities and around the globe.

The conference is open to artist, activists, art historians, curators, community organizers, educators, arts administrators, students, and anyone interested in how art can change the world for the better.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:

(The conference schedule will be updated with the presenters bios as they become available)

8am – 8:45 Registration / Coffee / pastries

8:45 – 9am WELCOME REMARKS

9 – 10:30AM Building Bridges - Art and Global Healing

Peace Through Pyramids project --- an ongoing collaboration between our youth circus troupe, the St. Louis Arches and an Israeli Jewish/Arab youth troupe, the Galilee Circus – Jessica Hentoff and Circus Harmony
Global Healing Through the Arts: A Model for Cross-Cultural Engagement in a Racially Isolated Community - Gitana Productions, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 arts and education company that provides global healing through music, dance, and drama in the St. Louis community.

10:45 – 11:45PM Art & War: The Artist Perspective

Cultivating Compassion: Genocide & Visual Representation - International exhibitions curated for the Mizel Musem & the International Conference of Genocide Scholars, Sarajevo, Bosnia by Lee Lee
One Million Bones* – Naomi Natale is the founding artist behind One Million Bones. Both an installation artist and photographer, Natale recently completed a large scale installation titled, The Cradle Project. She is also a TED Senior Fellow.

11:45 – 12:45PM Art for Healing

Re-imagining the Self Through Creativity: Art for Empowerment as Feminist Counseling for Social Change in a University and Community Settings - Elka Kazmierczak
Pearls of Strength: Using Art Therapy to Heal the Wounds of Abuse and Violence - Katie Kamholz

12:45 – 1:45PM Lunch/Performance (PLEASE note: lunch is included in the conference fee)

1:45 – 2:45PM Access for the Arts

Why Access to the Arts Matters - Panel discussion with: Leslie Holt, Executive Director, VSA Missouri, the statewide organization on art and disability Carol Fleming, installation artist and Lynne Green, photographer and film maker

3 – 4 PM Engaging Youth in Social Activism

We Are Storied: Our Visual Becoming within Communities - a burgeoning community initiative that ties the fields of community art, social media, and graphic design with visual storytelling in efforts to advocate the needs and causes of those within our most vulnerable communities - De Andrea Nichols
Punk Rock and Social Justice: Leadership development and civic engagement through subcultures - Angela Evans from the Coalition on Human Needs and Will O’Neill from the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW)

4-4:15 – CLOSING REMARKS

Performances

1:10 PM - Con Christeson performance- managing artist for the community collabARTive, an integrated arts component of the Allen Ave Transitional Program of Peter and Paul Community Services.. A spoken-word piece that talks about homelessness and its impact on individuals, seeking to build bridges and form relationships to co-communities who need to know: it is not about THEM...it is about US.

Outside of RAC (morning) - Priti Gulati Cox - Maansik Sampatti (Intellectual Property): A performance/installation addressing the epidemic of farmers' suicides in India

Inside tables - art activities. information,... (more info TK):

Artist trading Cards – Jennifer Weigel

Faces Project- Artist Christine Ilewski

I was a personal friend of Fr. Lorenzo Rosebaugh, OMI, one of a generation of liberal Catholic priests working for social justice for women and children. He was murdered in Guatemala almost two years ago just before he was due to return home to St. Louis to retire. (there's a Post Dispatch article link on my site) He was buried in south America.
In my grief, I have created two projects in his memory. One, in the"Faces" project, I paint portraits of children murdered by guns, for their grieving families. Then I exhibit art created from image transfers of the faces onto vintage handkerchiefs. Info and examples of the art are on my web site, www.ilewski.com
In my second project, I have tried to create a young adolescent illustrated biography of Fr. Lorenzo based on his own bio..."To Wisdom Through Failure". My mother, Gail Eisenhart, a published author and poet, adapted the text from his text. I did the illustrations. We are currently searching for a publisher. Melissa Jarnagin, senior editor at Concordia Publishing has reviewed the manuscript with this to say, "Wow! That's a powerful story! The illustrations are very emotive while still appealing to children with their colorful spirit. His story parallels the freedom riders of the civil rights movement."We hope to have the book printed bilingually to be able to send it back to the children of Guatemala where he has become a folk hero among the poor.

Wish tree- Ben Chu

Name badges – YWC

Info tables: Circus Harmony, Yeyo Arts, LGBT dance group

Any groups wishing to have information at one of the tables please contact outreach@wca-stl.org

This conference is made possible with support from the Regional Arts Commission

PRESENTERS BIOS

Angela Evans is the Outreach and Policy Coordinator for the Coalition on Human Needs, alliance of national organizations working together to promote public policies that address the needs of low-income and other vulnerable people. Angie’s background includes organizing and leadership development with the Center for Community Change, Jewish Funds for Justice and state and local campaigns. She spent her youth organizing and attending punk rock shows. She holds a Master Degree in Social Work, concentrated in Social and Economic Development from Washington University in St Louis.

Con Christeson is an artist/educator living and working in St. Louis, Missouri. In addition to teaching at Webster University and Ranken Technical College, she is actively engaged in building a practice as a community artist. She is co-founder and managing artist of the community collaborARTive, an arts-based integrated component of the Allen Avenue Transitional Housing Program of Peter and Paul Community Services. The collaborative engages men [who are/have been homeless] and program staff along with community artists, partners, and students to create visual, written, and public art. More about the collaborative can be found here: http://ppcsinc.org/community.html http://communitycollabartive.wordpress.com

Priti Gulati Cox is a native of India. She has been living in Salina, Kansas since 2000. In 2008 she began work on a project entitled Vanishing India that addresses the effects of corporate globalization on the social, political and economic fabric of India. In 2010, she also started a sister project entitled Stree Jaati (community of women), documenting the effects of India’s newly acquired free market policies on the women of her country. She goes back to India at the end of every year to continue doing research on these two on-going projects.

In March 2008, she created a guerrilla installation, Unfinished Portrait, to draw attention to loss of life in the invasion and occupation of Iraq. The project will be continued in 2013, encompassing both Iraq and America’s longest war, Afghanistan. Beyond Salina, she has exhibited at the 2010 Women and Water Rights Exhibits in Minneapolis and Rochester, Minnesota, Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, the 2010 United States Social Forum in Detroit, and, the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg, Kansas. Her next solo exhibition will be in September 2011 at the Percolator Gallery and other locations in Lawrence, Kansas. For more information visit www.vanishingindia.com

Leslie Holt, Executive Director, VSA Missouri. Holt is a visual artist and educator with extensive experience in social work and advocacy for people with disabilities, including mental illness and developmental disabilities. She has worked at several St. Louis organizations including Life Skills Foundation, Places for People, NAMI St. Louis, and St. Louis Community College. Most recently she coordinated a program at Washington University School of Medicine, Pediatricians in Community, which gave pediatric residents community experiences with children living in poverty and with disabilities. She has ten years experience teaching studio art and art history on the college level at schools including Fontbonne University, St. Louis Community College at Meramec, and Lewis and Clark Community College. She exhibits her paintings nationally and is represented by galleries in St. Louis, Memphis and Washington, DC. Leslie has a BFA in Painting from Washington University in St. Louis, an MFA in Painting from Washington State University and is a 2008 graduate of the Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute. Leslie has been involved with VSA Missouri since it started getting off the ground in 2008 – first as a contracted artist, then as its founding board president, and now as executive director.

Lee Lee attained her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, and has spent time in over 40 countries. These experiences have led her to develop a wide range of painting styles in response to the diverse conditions of our world. Her work is informed by several movements through art history including the feminine expressionist drawings of Kathe Kolwitz to the actions of the 1970s which embraced processes using a shotgun or fire. Rich textures developed through destructive means speak to socio political situations imposed on people as well as environmental degradation. Sensitive mark making atop of these textures explores the emotional textures within a community, emphasizing resilience in the face of adversity. Recently, strong environmental themes have entered into her repertoire as she recognizes that social and political stress is driven by the scarcity of our resources.

Resilience as a theme was manifested through the opportunity to curate an exhibition in regards to Genocide for the Mizel Museum which grew into an installation for the 7th Biennial International Conference of Genocide Scholars in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Other international exhibitions have included an installation of prints at the Instituto Allende in Mexico and paintings exploring the imprint of tradition in contemporary Vientnamese culture at the Metropolitan Center in Saigon, Vietnam.

Recent environmental exhibitions have included REAP: The Environmental Unsustainability of the American Food Machine at C Emerson Fine Art in St Petersberg, FL, Extinction at the Denver Botanic Gardens, and Vanishing Pollinators as part of the Bioneers Conference on Sustainability in San Raphael, CA. Resilience in the face of environmental degradation was explored through an series of work, Guatemala: Mayan Women, created for the 2010 Biennial of the Americas in Denver.

Currently, Lee Lee is using plastic as a material to explore the impacts of plastic on the environment as well as the chemical imprints left in our bodies. The UN Environment Programme recently wrote a feature article on her work about ocean plastic, entitled, The Plastic Flow: From Waste to Waves. Complimenting this theme is work being created which follows the development of a permaculture installation around her Taos, NM studio. The small scale production of food will be presented in contrast to industrial agricultural practice, which like plastic, is exacting a tremendous toll on the environment. www.Lee-Lee.com

Naomi Natale is the founding artist behind One Million Bones. Both an installation artist and photographer, Naomi was the founder and director of The Cradle Project, a large scale installation calling attention and raising funds for the 48 million children orphaned in sub-Saharan Africa. Over 550 cradles were created and donated by artists from around the world. Naomi has served as an artist-in-residence at Columbia College of Chicago in 2008, 2010 and 2011. She speaks internationally on the topic of art and activism as well as her installation works and is currently both a TED Senior and Carl Wilkens Fellow, respectively.

*One Million Bones is a collaborative social arts practice designed to recognize the millions of victims and survivors who have been killed or displaced by ongoing genocides and mass atrocities in Sudan , the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burma. In Spring of 2013 1,000,000 handmade bones made by artists, activists and students will flood the National Mall in Washington, D.C. creating a visual demand for solutions to this issue. One Million Bones works at the intersection of art and activism. Our core belief is that vital pathways to change are created by leveraging the power of the arts to introduce activism to coming generations, to provide opportunities to connect with issues in a personal and profound way through the creation of art symbolic of and related to specific issues, and to allow individuals to see, actually see, their contribution, their action, in the context of the larger movement.

Seeking Youth Panelist for 64th UN DPI/NGO Conference “Sustainable Societies; Responsive Citizens”

2011-05-20T23:01:00.000-05:00

Seeking Youth Panelist for 64^th UN DPI/NGO Conference “Sustainable Societies; Responsive Citizens”

WCA has submitted a proposal for a workshop at the upcoming UN DPI/NGO Conference in Bonn, Germany and are seeking a youth representative to participate in the panel. This workshop will be moderated by a representative of a Danish arts organization called KIK and the panel will include delegates from WCA and a New York organization called Ribbon International.

We are seeking an individual, under age 25, who has worked at the WCA chapter, region or national level on an art project, conference or exhibition dealing with the environment. Please email a short description of the work you were are involved in. Also include date(s) of the event, what chapter(s) was involved, and what was accomplished. Please provide your contact information: name, phone number and email. Also provide contact information for one reference.

Description of Workshop:

PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND VOLUNTEERISM THRU THE ARTS AND CULTURE

Our workshop will cover community-related art and culture projects promoting volunteerism and concerns for the environment thru the arts and culture. People will become aware of what the term “Sustainable Development” means through thought and action using the arts. Examples will demonstrate how volunteers come together to organize activities, events and exhibits for these projects. The audience will be asked to think and then act on their thoughts in an artistic way about caring for the environment after considering what is at stake or threatened in their environments.

Date of Conference: September 3-5, 2011

Location: Bonn, Germany

Eligibility and Information:

WCA member under age 25

Must attend the conference and participate in the panel

Pay her own way to/at the conference. WCA does not reimburse for expenses associated with the conference. Expenses include airfare, accommodations, in-country transportation and food. There is no cost for the conference itself.

Email Submission To: Priscilla Otani at mrpotani@yahoo.com

Deadline for Submission: Tuesday, May 31, 2011.

Notification: By June 3, finalists will be contacted for a telephone interview. The delegate will be selected by June 7.

In Memory of Paul Reiter

2011-05-13T18:42:00.001-05:00

I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Paul Reiter today from a mutual friend. Paul was an amazing person, and perhaps the most noble and humble individual I have ever met. He always gave of himself without question to everything he did and was a strong supporter of & advocate for the arts. He extensively collected works by local artists and attended numerous exhibitions, always bringing a smile & keeping an open mind and encouraging others to do the same.

I first met Paul through the Life Blood Exhibit preview party, where he purchased one of the auctioned artworks to benefit the show. He continued to support the Life Blood Exhibit after that, following both that show and my own personal endeavors, like the Art Is Everywhere sign project, of which he was one of the first to register for a sign and kept that sign in the back window of his van where it could be seen by people all over town. He was always very giving & generous and his continuous presence & support strengthened the art community

Please read this article in the St. Louis American to learn more of Paul's unending support and passion for art, along with his loyalty to his family, the St. Louis American, and the St. Louis community as a whole. He will be sorely missed.

http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_c49d4b8e-7c24-11e0-9586-001cc4c03286.html

CALL for ART- THEMIS deadline Apr 30

2011-04-06T13:10:00.000-05:00

CALL for ART

Theme: Themis was the Greek goddess of divine law - the primal, unwritten laws governing human conduct, order, and social control. For this exhibition, we are not concentrating on the figure Themis but what she stands for. We are looking for artist perspective of laws, human conduct, and social control.

EXHIBITION DATES: Exhibition: July 1 - 29
Reception: Friday July 22, 6-8pm

TO APPLY: go directly to entrythingy at
http://www.entrythingy.com/d=wca-stl.org

About: This exhibit is in conjunction with the Women’s Caucus for Art summer conference: Art and Social Justice. The conference takes place July 22, 2011 in St. Louis.

Juror: Christina Cosio serves as Assistant Director of the Exhibitions Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She received her BFA from Washington University, St. Louis and her MA from University of Missouri, St. Louis. Prior to moving to Chicago, Cosio worked in a variety of art institutions throughout the St. Louis area, including Laumeier Sculpture Park, the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, and the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center. She has held positions in education, curatorial, and collections departments.

Venue: Bouileau Hall is on the campus of Saint Louis University. 35 N. Vandeventer Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108 Gallery hours: Friday and Saturday 10am – 4pm or by appointment

Liability / Insurance: Artists are responsible for insuring their work while in transit, and, if deemed necessary by the artist, while on exhibit. SLU-Bouileau Hall will not insure the work.. Neither the WCA or SLU is responsible for damaged work.

WCA reserves the right to not exhibit any artwork that does not met the specifications of the prospectus including but not limited to, arriving after deadline, damaged in shipping, defective frames, lack of hanging hardware, etc. Saint Louis University and Boileau Hall provides security during regular gallery hours.

Eligibility and Specifications: Open to all Women artists. Work must have been executed within the last two years. Open to all 2D and 3D media. Unfortunately, we are unable to show video work in this exhibition.

Work must be wired and ready to hang, no sawtooth hangers please. Work submitted may not have been previously exhibited in any juried exhibition sponsored by WCA-STL Artist may submit up to 3 pieces, for consideration.

Fee and Procedure: Artists may submit up to 3 pieces for consideration. Entry fee is $30 using PayPal via entrythingy.

TO APPLY: Visit www.wca-stl.org and click on the entrythingy icon under Themis info
or go directly to entrythingy at
http://www.entrythingy.com/d=wca-stl.org

Follow the steps to submit your application. Images should be saved as jpeg images with a resolution of 300 dpi, sized at 4x6”. Upload at 1200 pixels on the longest side and a max of 8MB. Assign file names using your last name and the entry number. Example: doe1.jpg
Include a short artists statement for each piece. If selected the artists statement and image will be included in the catalog.

Entries must be submitted by April 30th 11:59pm CST

WCA-STL will retain a 25% commission on all sold work

Shipping: All work must be shipped so that it is received between June 15 – June 21. Please no packing peanuts. Artists must provide return shipping.
Please ship all pieces to:
WCA- Themis
STLCC-FV, Art Dept
3400 Pershall Rd
St. Louis, MO 63135

The Women's Caucus for Art was founded in 1972 in connection with the College Art Association (CAA). It is a national member organization unique in its multi-disciplinary, multicultural membership of artists, art historians, students, educators, and museum professionals.

The mission of the Women's Caucus for Art is to create community through art, education, and social activism.
We are committed to
- recognizing the contributions of women in the arts
- providing women with leadership opportunities and professional development
- expanding networking and exhibition opportunities for women
- supporting local, national, and global art activism
- advocating for equity in the arts for all

For more info on the STL Chapter
www.wca-stl.org
http://wca-stl.blogspot.com/
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54029576429

For more info on WCA
www.nationalwca.org
Twitter @ArtWCA
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107511953206

Art & Social Justice Conference

2011-03-25T18:24:00.002-05:00

Call for Panels / Papers / Speakers / Presenters

The Women's Caucus for Art (WCA), Midwest Region, is hosting a one-day Art and Social Justice Conference in St. Louis, MO, on Friday, July 22 at the Regional Arts Commission in the Delmar Loop. The conference is in conjunction with the WCA National Summer Board Meeting.

The WCA Mission Statement is to create community through art, education, and social activism. We recognize the important role that the arts play in all our lives and acknowledge the power of the arts to affect positive change. In this spirit, the conference is intended to be a venue in which to explore the role of the arts in promoting social justice and quality in our communities and around the globe. The conference is open to artist, activists, art historians, curators, community organizers, educators, arts administrators, students, and anyone interested in how art can change the world for the better.

We invite you to submit abstracts or proposals for papers, presentations or discussions on the following topics:

- Artists with Disabilities

- Performing Arts and Social Justice

- Grassroots funding for Artists

- Minority Artist / Organizations

- Aging Artists

- Arts and Community

- Art Education and Social Justice

- Or anything related to the main theme of "Art and Social Justice"

Please submit abstracts or proposals of no more than two pages double-spaced. Please also include any appropriate supporting information, such as a bio, artist statement, images, or bios of individuals for a panel you would like to moderate.

Send proposals by email to outreach@wca-stl.org.

Deadline for submissions is May 1.

Final presenters will be notified no later than June 1.

2011-03-09T16:49:00.001-06:00

'Not So Ordinary Women' exhibit.

Opening reception this Thur Mar 10 4-7pm

Lillian Yahn Galler

7443 Village Center Dr.

O' Fallon Mo

Featuring artwork by STL-WCA members: Virginia Dragschutz, Jennifer Weigel, Roxanne Phillips, Heidi Fox and Janice Nesser.

Exhibition on view through April 10

2011-02-24T12:09:00.002-06:00

CALL for ART: ART: Agent for Change

Women's Caucus for Art - St. Louis Chapter

CALL FOR ART
Theme: Art: Agent for Change. This salon style exhibit explores change as it relates to art, whether personal and technical, social/political, or economical.

Venue: Gya, located at 2700 Locust, St. Louis 63103 is a Gallery and fine craft gift shop operated by Yeyo Arts Collective. The Collective is dedicated to women's art and topics surrounding women’s issues; including family youth, and community.

Yeyo Arts guiding principals are:
-Empowerment through arts based learning.
-Practicing intergenerational collaboration.
-Encourage creativity and inventive efforts in daily life practice.
-Support of independent, arts based entrepreneurial efforts.
-Standing together as women, and against gender stereotyping in the arts and society at large.

Eligibility and Specifications:
Open to all current paid WCA-STL members.
Work must be executed within the last two years.
Open to all 2D and 3D media.
Work must be wired and ready to hang, no sawtooth hangers please.
Due to space, artist may submit up to 3 pieces, no larger than 24X36.

Fee and Procedure:
A maximum of three entries per artist may be submitted. Entry fee is $10. Please e-mail JPEGS (standard format) to exhibits@wca-stl.org no later than Thursday March 17th. JPEGS should be no 72dpi and no smaller than 4 inches wide and no larger than 7 in. wide Complete and mail entry form and all fees according to calendar below.
Entries must be postmarked by Tuesday March 15th.

Dates:
Tues. March 15th Postmark Deadline
Thurs. March 17th JPEGS due
April 5-6 drop off at Gya 2-6pm
Sat. April 9- Opening reception 6-8pm
Thurs April 28 show ends
Friday April 29th pick up 12pm-6pm
Saturday April 30th pick up 11am-4pm

Sales: A 30% commission will be retained on all sales.

Membership: The Women's Caucus for Art was founded in 1972 in connection with the College Art Association (CAA). It is a national member organization unique in its multi-disciplinary, multicultural membership of artists, art historians, students, educators, and museum professionals.
As a member, you enjoy national and local benefits including exhibitions, networking, girls night out, art meetings and workshops, newsletters, national exhibitions and yearly conferences.

MEMBERSHIP FORM:
_Professional /General membership $60 membership requires 4 hours of volunteer time per year.
$40 to national/$20 to local
_ Supporting membership $110 $40 to national/$70 to local
_ Institutional/Business membership$150 $75 to national/$75 to local
_ Lifetime membership $775 includes $500 for national/$275 to local
_ Subsidized membership student or
limited income $30
We offer student/hardship memberships at the reduced fee of $30 dollars. $25 will go to national and the other $5 to the local chapter. In return those receiving scholarship for their dues will be expected to volunteer 10 hours to the Caucus over the next12 months. Anyone applying for the scholarship should send a paragraph along with their membership form stating why they should be eligible for the scholarship/hardship funds. Students enclose copy of student id.
Professional areas
Artist_ CAA member_ critic_ art historian_ collector_ art educator_
art administrator_ librarian_ collector_ museum/gallery_ student_
Media you work in: ___________________________________
Volunteer interests: Board involvement _ receiving_ speaker_ fundraising_
national committees_ openings_
installations_ reporters_ grant writing_
phone_ other_ please list___________

ENTRY FORM:

Name:________________________

Address:______________________

City:______________ State_______

Zip:________ Phone:____________

Image 1:
Title:__________________________

Medium_______________________

Size:_________________________

Image 1:
Title:__________________________

Medium_______________________

Size:_________________________

Image 1:
Title:__________________________

Medium_______________________

Size:_________________________

Enclosed Fee $10 ____________
Please make checks payable to WCA-STL and mail to
WCA-STL
Art Department/STLCC/FV
3400 Pershall Rd
Ferguson MO 63135

Mirror Image:Women & Photography

2011-02-22T19:07:00.002-06:00

"Mirror Image: Women and Photography*,"

February 28 – March 31, 2011

Reception: Thursday, March 3, 6-8pm

Florissant Valley Contemporary Art Gallery,
on the campus of St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley, IR building, 3400 Pershall Rd. St. Louis Mo 63135

Curated by Janice Nesser

Featuring work by:

1 Aunia Kahn, St. Louis MO
2. Ana Viviane Minorelli, Sao Paulo, Brazil
3 Lydia Brockman Chicago , IL
4. Gina Mazur St. Charles MO
5. Rebecca Wilson St. Louis MO
6. Elva Salinas Denton, Texas
7. Danielle Rene' Khoury Fort Worth Texas
8. Christina France. St. Louis MO
9. Bonnie MacAllister - Philadelphia, PA .
10 Jennifer Weigel, Affton, Mo
11 Sara Levin St. Louis, Mo
12 MissySue Hansen – St Clair, MO
13 Alex B - London, UK
14 Shannon Dougherty – St. Louis MO
15 Carol Sue Horstman Fenton MO
16 Barbara Zucker St. Louis MO
17 Ludmila Ketslakh, Ann Arbor MI
18 Darcie Deneal – St. Louis MO
19 Christine Giancola Florissant MO
20. Kate Freeman St. Louis MO
21 Ulla Barr San Clemente CA
22. Jessica Esfahani, Pacific, MO

*This exhibition is part of the Women's History Month Celebration 'History is Our Strength' on the campus of STLCC-FV

WCA-STL Art & Social Justice conference

2011-01-29T12:10:00.002-06:00

WCA-STL is planning an Art and Social Justice Conference and several exhibitions for July. We are looking for members who would like to participate in the planning of the conference. Art and Social Justice is a very large topic to tackle in a day conference. If you have strong opinions on possible panels/presentations topics, event planning, or art activism we are asking you to consider sharing your thoughts and experience.

WCA ECO ARTS conference

2010-05-21T21:36:00.001-05:00

You are invited to attend WCA 1st #Eco #Arts conference @ David Brower center June 25th, Berkley, CA

Event Details

ELEMENTS: AN ECO-ART CONFERENCE

WHAT: A full-day eco-event featuring panel discussions by eco-artists and ecologists, film-festival, discussion groups, art-making, performances and awards ceremony.

WHEN: June 25, 2010 from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm

WHERE: David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA

ORGANIZERS: Pacific Region Women’s Caucus for Art

OVERVIEW: Participatory conference features panels, eco-film festival, interactive discussion groups, art-making, performances and activism awards ceremony. Participants are encouraged to be eco-conscious and recycle throughout the conference: bring old conference badges that you have decorated or and decorate them at the conference, bring postcards you've made with recycled materials to trade, bring your own water bottle, coffee mug, eating utensils, a cloth napkin instead of using paper. Price of admission includes gourmet box lunch by Back to Earth that uses locally sourced organic ingredients and reception. Spend a day being “green!”

PANELS:

Eco-Art: Past, Present and Future Moderated by Deborah Thomas with Panelists Susan Leibovitz Steinman and Ruth Wallen.

Collaboration and Community Moderated by Susan Leibovitz Steinman with Panelists Jennifer Colby, Joyce Cutler-Shaw, Deborah Munk and Tierney Thys.

Activism: Making a Difference Moderated by Michelle Lapinski and Panelists Samantha Fields, Beverly Naidus, Daniella Russo and Andree Singer Thompson.

FRESH AND HEALTHY BOX LUNCH CATERED BY BACK TO EARTH:

Select From:

1.Vegan - cannellini bean/roasted vegetable sandwich, served with mixed greens salad

2. Vegetarian - mozzarella, basil & heirloom tomatoes on focaccia, served with roasted vegetables

3. Gluten-Free - quinoa with veggies and fresh herbs, served with grilled chicken & whole fresh fruit

PERFORMANCE: Special appearance by Capacitor, San Francisco's inter-disciplinary dance company.

MAKE ART/TRADE ART: Decorate an old nametag from a prior conference, trade postcards made from recycled materials, make postcards from scraps, make a prayer flag, bring things to add to the conference shrine

ALSO ON VIEW: Eco-Film Festival

ART ACTIVISM AWARD: To women leaders in eco-art activism

REGISTRATION FEE: $90 online, $125 at the door

FOR DETAILED PROGRAM AND UPDATES: go to http://sbawca.org/blue_planet/conference.html.

And please join us for the reception of "Blue Planet," an art exhibition juried by eco-artist Kim Abeles, which accompanies this conference on Saturday, June 26, 5-7 pm. The reception will be held at the SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan St, San F

for more info http://elements.eventbrite.com/

V-DAY

2010-05-21T21:22:00.000-05:00

V-Day, the global movement to end violence against
women and girls.

By joining V-Day you join the thousands of women and men around
the world committed to ending the widespread violence that
affects one in three women.

V-Day's mission is simple. It demands that the violence must
end. Through V-Day campaigns you will have the opportunity to
produce annual benefit performances of "The Vagina Monologues"
to raise awareness and funds for anti-violence groups within
your own community. Throughout the world V-Day stages large
scale benefits and innovative gatherings, marches and
productions focused on changing the social attitudes towards
violence against women. By donating to V-Day you keep shelters
open, you help build safe houses and you make possible a world
without violence against women and girls. The 'V' in V-Day
stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina. Welcome to V-World.

visit and join at vday.org/home

WORKSHOP - ART, EDUCATION and DEMOCRACY - BUILDING TOGETHER

2010-03-19T18:14:00.000-05:00

ART, EDUCATION and DEMOCRACY - BUILDING TOGETHER

WORKSHOP

Date:

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Time:

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Location:

1627 N. 19th St. (upstairs)

Street:

Corner of 19th and Madison

Description

A test-driven curriculum pushed the arts to the margins of our schools. Arts based projects at the forefront of our educational planning secure a strong future for our students. In this Inquiry to Action Group (ItAG) – Art, Education and Democracy – we will collaborate to create art in order to take a deeper look at our personal and community environment, a key part of social growth and understanding. Dail Chambers, teaching artist, will guide participants as they work together to create free-standing sculptures and participate in discussions focused on: art's role in historical social movements; multicultural arts; contemporary art activism and arts based collaboration in classroom activity.
Through our inquiry, creation and action, participants will find ways to transfer basic art techniques & processes learned into their work as citizens, parents and educators. No previous art experience is needed. Participants are asked to bring one small to midsized item that is attached to an experience, place or memory. The requested item will not be used in making of artwork.

About the Facilitator :
Dail Chambers is a community based, teaching artist. She studied photography at St. Louis Community College Florissant Valley and received her BFA from Memphis College of Art in Clay, with a minor in Art History. Chambers’s artwork is centered around african art, women's issues and social constructs. Most recently she has completed her Community Arts Training Institute fellowship. Chambers has curated numerous exhibitions, and founded the AIDS Project in Memphis TN. She is currently collaborating with National artist Carl Moore. Both artists will share the topic of "Moving Back: Our experiences living in the American "South," generations after the Great Migration. The exhibition is to be held in St. Louis at the Vaughn Cultural Center, January 2011. Her two Spring 2010 shows include From the Center Now!, a national exhibition juried by Lucy Lippard, held in Chicago Ill; and Art as Activism juried by Yolanda Lopez, held in St. Charles, MO.
This four-session Inquiry to Action Group is offered FREE by the Literacy for Social Justice Group with the support of the Doerr Center for Social Justice. It is part of a larger project called “Public Education, Public Voices.”

To register go to FB http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=350740639078&ref=ts

Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act

2010-03-09T19:37:00.001-06:00

Missourians for the Protection of Dogs is spearheading a new, citizen-backed ballot initiative – The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. The measure will improve the lives of dogs in commercial breeding operations in Missouri. Specifically, the measure will require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each breeding dog under their care with the basics of humane animal care.

for more info: http://missourifordogs.com/

CEDAW

2010-03-09T19:33:00.002-06:00

March is Women's History Month

In honor of it, sign the petition and encourage the President to ratify it.

The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is the most complete international agreement on basic human rights for women and was adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1979. To date, 185 countries have ratified CEDAW. Even though the U.S. helped draft the treaty, it is the only industrialized country left to ratify.CEDAW promotes not only women's empowerment, but also a foundation for peace and justice around the world. Women in the U.S. and around the world have already waited 30 years for the world's superpower to sign onto this important treaty.

To sign the petition go to:

http://salsa. wiredforchange. com/o/5996/ p/dia/action/ public/?action_ KEY=1364

ACTIVISM EXHIBITION

2010-02-06T14:03:00.000-06:00

We All Relate: Celebrating Local and Global Connections

The Northern Arts Council, together with the

St. Louis Chapter of the Women’s Caucus for Art (WCA),

St. Louis Community College Florissant Valley and

Plowsharing Crafts

are sponsoring an exhibition of art to

Celebrate Women’s History Month and contribute to Haitian Relief efforts!

Join us as we encourage established and emerging women artists young and old to exhibit their artwork for a just cause. The exhibition will promote local and global community connections and contributions. Spread the word…share your art!

Enter with an emerging artist you interact with in some way—daughter, mother, other relative; student, teacher, or friend! Sale proceeds to Artist (40%), and to benefit WCA (20%) and NAC (20%).

ELIGIBILITY: Open to girls and women artists of all ages within a 30-mile radius of the St. Louis metro area. The first 20 artists to register receive a heart-shaped Haitian stone paperweight.

ARTWORK: Artwork can be a 2D wall piece or 3D work of any material that will not damage the wall, is appropriate for family viewing, no larger than 20” X 24,” and ready to hang or stand. A. On the entry form and back of the artwork indicate title, dimensions, and materials. B. Please include a brief statement about yourselves and your relationship to each other as women and artists. C. You may also include a brief artist’s statement and/or note about what inspired you to enter the show.

ENTRY FEE: $10.00 per entry. Make checks payable to WCA-STL. (An entry is two pieces, one piece per person.) All entry fees will be sent directly to the American Red Cross for Haitian Relief.

SEND YOUR REGISTRATION FORM TO: WCA-STL “NAC Show” Art Dept/STLCC-FV 3400 Pershall Rd. St. Louis MO 63135

You do not have to register in advance.

DELIVER YOUR WORK TO: Northern Arts Council Gallery, 27 S. Florissant, Ferguson, MO 63135 on Saturday, March 20th 9:30am to 1:00pm

Bring an entry form if you did not pre-register.

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF SHIPPED WORK: Shipped works due by Friday, March 19^th to: P.O. Box 11015. Ferguson, MO 63135

EXHIBITION DATES:

Monday, March 28th through Friday, April 24th

Reception Friday March 26th 6:30 – 8:30 pm at NAC

PICK UP ART WORK Saturday, April 25th 1:00pm – 4:00 pm, during gallery hours, or by appointment.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Marsha Heck: heckmarsha@yahoo.com 574.360.3148

Entry Fees will be donated to the American Red Cross’ Haitian Relief Fund. * Register early: Entries included in the exhibition are subject to available space on a first-come first-served basis.

The Northern Arts Council, NAC, is committed to carrying out the following mission:

"To enrich the cultural landscape of North St. Louis County by hosting and promoting fine art events, and by working to build a spirit of community among local artists and arts supporters."A registered non-profit, the Northern Arts Council is comprised of artists, writers, educators, community organizers, hobbyists, musicians, and other creative minds, drawing its members from Ferguson, Florissant, Hazelwood, unincorporated St. Louis County, and everywhere in between. The group meets quarterly, and is working toward these goals: To provide creative experiences to the community through a variety of art programming and to host ongoing exhibits show casing local artists.Hours: Saturday 9am-noon, Tuesday 11am-2pm, or by appointment. Address: 27 S. Florissant, Ferguson, Missouri 63135. Email: NorthernArtsCouncil@yahoo.com Webpage: http://www.northernartscouncil.org

The Women’s Caucus for Art (WCA) is a national arts, education, and activism organization.

The mission of WCA is to create community through art, education, and social activism.

We are committed to:

· recognizing contributions of women in the arts

· providing women with leadership opportunities and professional development

· expanding networking and exhibition opportunities for women

· supporting local, national, and global art activism

· advocating for equity in the arts for all

For more information visit http://wca-stl.org/ or http://www.nationalwca.org/

The Young Women’s Caucus of the WCA The purpose of the YoungWCA is to provide resources, opportunities and support for emerging women artists. To learn more about events or other happenings, visit: http://YoungWC.blogspot.com or contact us at youngwomencaucus@gmail.com

Plowsharing Crafts features fairly traded handicrafts from around the world, 70% of which are made by women. This not-for-profit is designed to support artisans in developing countries. In the U City loop visit: 6271 Delmar, St. Louis, Mo. 63130 or online at http://www.plowharing.org Phone: (314) 863-3723

ENTRY FORM

Mail entry form to: WCA-STL “NAC Show” Art Dept/STLCC-FV 3400 Pershall Rd. St. Louis MO 63135

Contact Artist’s (1) Name:________________________________________ Age (optional) ______

Phone:____________________________________Email:___________________________________

Emerging Artist (2) Name: _______________________________________ Age (optional) _______

Title of Work Artist (1):__________________________________________

Media:_______________________________________________________

Dimensions:____________________________Sale Price:_____________

Title of Work Artist (2):_________________________________________

Media:_______________________________________________________

Dimensions:____________________________ Sale Price:_________

_____ Check here if you would like to donate your 40% of the sale proceeds to the Haitian Relief Effort.

Signature (1): _________________________________________________ Date:____________________

_____ Check here if you would like to donate your 40% of the sale proceeds to the Haitian Relief Effort.

Signature (2): _________________________________________________ Date:____________________

Global warming: what's god got to do with it?

2010-01-08T18:05:00.004-06:00

A number of religious leaders of Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and other faiths have formed a growing movement to transform society from their pulpits by emphasizing the connection between ecology and religion.

Their sermons inspire, educate and mobilize people with topics including climate change, renewable energy technologies and public policy to cut greenhouse gases.

Find out more in this month's Personal Nature column, "Religion and Climate Change," by author and writer Dominique Browning.

This doesn't mean environmentalism is turning into a religion, Browning explains, but that religion harnesses the power of love and faith, both of which bind us to nature, other humans and the health of our planet and inspire us to take action when these are in danger.

"The fact is," Browning writes, "in order to succeed in significantly altering the global course of climate change, we are going to have to harness all the power we have, whether it is the power of the market, the power of technology, or the power of heart and soul."

This month's Personal Nature column takes an inspiring and thought-provoking look at the connection between religion and climate change.

We hope you enjoy.

Thank you for your activism and support,
Environmental Defense Fund

P.S. You can support our work to fight climate change by making a donation today.

CALL TO ACTION - Protection of Dogs

2010-01-05T21:33:00.001-06:00

Host:	Missourians for the Protection of Dogs
Network:	Global

Date:	Saturday, January 16, 2010
Time:	1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location:	Humane Society of Missouri
Street:	1201 Macklind Ave.
City/Town:	Saint Louis, MO
	View Map

Description

Who: Missourians for the Protection of Dogs

What: A historic ballot initiative campaign is now underway in Missouri to address cruel and inhumane practices on puppy mills. Volunteers all over the state are communicating with their fellow citizens and starting to gather a goal of 130,000 signatures by April 27, 2010 to place a measure on the November 2010 ballot.

When: Saturday, January 16 at 1 p.m.

Where: Humane Society of Missouri

If you are willing and able to be part of this amazing effort, please join us for the St. Louis Campaign Kickoff! Please visit www.missourifordogs.com for more details. We hope to see you there!

CALL TO ACTION MISSOURI PUPPY MILL BALLOT INITIATIVE - YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED

2010-01-05T10:11:00.002-06:00

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT? A campaign is now underway in Missouri to collect signatures to place a historic measure on the November 2010 ballot. "Missourians for the Protection of Dogs" has been organized to promote a ballot initiative which will address the cruel and inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills. This effort is the result of a partnership including the following organizations: Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation (Alliance), Humane Society of Missouri (HSM), Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). These diverse and influential organizations have come together based upon their shared concerns over the harsh living conditions endured by far too many dogs in Missouri's puppy mills.

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW? The campaign committee has been formed, and the ballot language has been approved by the Secretary of State, thus paving the way for the signature-gathering phase. Volunteers are needed immediately to collect enough signatures by April 27, 2010 to place this measure on the November ballot. Missourians would then have the opportunity to relieve the suffering of hundreds of thousands of dogs by voting YES on the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act on November 2, 2010.

HOW CAN I HELP? You can help gather signatures from registered Missouri voters; you can spread the word to your family, friends and neighbors about this important initiative; and you can provide financial and in-kind support to help the Alliance's efforts.

· Volunteer petitioners are needed immediately to collect more than130,000 signatures by April 27! We urgently need your participation to make this vital effort a success. If you would like to be a part of this historic effort, please contact the Alliance at mail@maal.org, 314-361-3944, or toll free at 877-444-6225.You can also attend one of the following petition kickoff meetings around the state:

Columbia: Wednesday, January 13, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.,

Columbia Public Library, 100 West Broadway,

573-443-3161.

Kansas City: Thursday, January 14, 6:15 to 8:15 p.m., Brush Creek Community Center, 3801 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd (a/k/a Brush Creek Blvd.), 816-513-0730.

Springfield: Friday, January 15, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.,

Grace United Methodist Church, 600 South Jefferson,

417-865-1340.

St. Louis: Saturday, January 16, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.,

Humane Society of Missouri, 1201 Macklind Avenue,

314-647-8800.

*Please check our website at www.maal.org for location/time changes or call the respective location for confirmation.

WHAT DOES THE ACT DO? Missouri is widely recognized as the "Puppy Mill Capital of the Nation" because of its far greater number of commercial dog breeding facilities than any other state. Every month, thousands of puppies from Missouri are shipped to pet stores throughout North America and beyond. In 1992, the Alliance led the effort to pass the Animal Care Facilities Act (ACFA) which established minimum standards of care and required annual inspections for commercial dog breeders. This proposed ballot measure would add new standards of canine care to the ACFA statute. Specifically the measure would require:

*Sufficient food and clean water
*Necessary veterinary care
*Sufficient housing, including protection from the elements and eliminating wire-floored cages
*Sufficient space for dogs to turn and stretch, lie down, and fully extend their limbs
*Regular exercise, and
*Adequate rest between breeding cycles

Visit the Alliance's website at www.maal.org for the entire ballot initiative language.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, Dan Mickelson, President
P.O. Box 300036, St. Louis, Missouri, 63130-0036

STOP the ROUNDUP and KILLING of 12,000 HORSES

2009-12-28T23:01:00.001-06:00

STOP the ROUNDUP and KILLING of 12,000 HORSES
go to the site below to read the petition and sign it.

http://www.change.org/kinship_circle/actions/view/stop_the_2010_roundup_of_12000_horses

PUPPY MILL PROTEST

2009-12-17T08:49:00.001-06:00

PUPPY EXPO PROTEST SAT DEC 19 9-1 OR LATER DEP ON WEATHER

LOCATION: VFW HALL 115 MIMOSA BALLWIN, MO (BALLWIN POST OFFICE ON THE CORNER OF MANCHESTER AND MIMOSA)

DIRECTIONS FROM THE EAST: APPROX 6.5 WEST OF 270 OFF MANCHESTER; MIMOSA IS ON THE RIGHT AND THE VFW IS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MIMOSA ABOUT .2 MILE.

FROM THE WEST: APPROX 1.1 MILES DOWN MANCHESTER EAST OF CLARKSON. MIMOSA IS ON THE LEFT AND VFW IS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MIMOSA ABOUT .2 MILE.

FOR MORE DETAILED DIRECTIONS PLEASE USE www.mapquest.com

PARKING: WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PARK IN THE VFW LOT. THERE ARE SOME SIDE STREETS ACROSS FROM IT WHERE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PARK.

WE WILL PROVIDE SIGNS AND LITERATURE BUT YOU ARE WELCOME TO BRING YOUR OWN SIGNS. "BOYCOTT STORES THAT SELL PUPPIES" AND SUCH WILL NOT WORK FOR THIS SITUATION. IF YOU HAVE GOOD IDEAS FOR SIGNS LET ME KNOW---WE HAVE

"PUPPY MILLS BREED MISERY"
"MISSOURI: #1 PUPPY MILL STATE"
"THE KILLING WILL STOP WHEN BREEDING FOR PROFIT STOPS"
"ADOPT, DON'T SHOP, SAVE A LIFE"
"USDA LICENSED STILL MEANS PUPPY MILL"

I WAS THINKING OF "BUYER BEWARE: PUPPY MILL PUPPIES" AND "PUPPIES' PARENTS CAGED FOR LIFE" WE NEED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THE PROBLEM IS HOW THE PARENTS ARE TREATED B/C WHEN SOMEONE GOES INTO THE EXPO AND IT'S CLEAN AND THE PUPPIES HAVE BEEN GROOMED AND HAVE XMAS BOWS AND THEY LISTEN TO THE BREEDERS' CLAIMS SOME ARE GOING TO BE CONFUSED AND THINK "THESE AREN'T PUPPY MILLS"---I WAS REMINDED YESTERDAY HOW UNINFORMED SOME PEOPLE ARE WHEN I TOLD A GUY THE SCHINDLERS WERE THE BIGGEST PUPPY MILLERS IN THE STATE AND HE ASKED (SERIOUSLY) "IS THAT GOOD OR BAD?"

REMEMBER THIS IS NOT A PET SHOP BUT COMMERCIAL BREEDERS SELLING DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC. THEY ARE GOING TO ASSURE BUYERS THAT THE PUPS HAVE BEEN LOVINGLY RAISED BY THEMSELVES (UNLIKE PET SHOPS) NEGLECTING TO ADD THE PARENTS ARE CAGED 24/7 AND BRED EVERY HEAT CYCLE. AND OF COURSE THEY AREN'T A PUPPY MILL B/C THEY ARE LICENSED AND INSPECTED BY THE STATE/FED GOV'T. RICSUE KENNEL IS PUTTING ON THE EXPO--THE SAME PEOPLE WE PROTESTED AT THE AM LEGION HALL IN SHREWSBURY LAST WINTER. I WILL HAVE COPIES OF THEIR 2009 INSPECTION DOCUMENTING NUMEROUS VIOLATIONS, YET ON THEIR WEBSITE www.ricsuekennel.com THEY CLAIM TO HAVE "NO VIOLATIONS."

NOTE IN THE POST-DISPATCH AD (LINK BELOW) THEY CLAIM "RESCUES" ARE INVOLVED AND USE THE TERM "ADOPT" INSTEAD OF BUY TO MISLEAD PEOPLE.
I PLAN TO HAVE INFO ABOUT RESCUES TO GIVE TO PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY RESCUES HOLDING ADOPTION EVENTS AT PETCO AND PETSMART IN THE AREA SO PEOPLE CAN VISIT THOSE AND HOPEFULLY ADOPT INSTEAD OF BUY.

IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, PLEASE VISIT www.petshoppuppies.org (IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE SO) TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE COMMERCIAL DOG INDUSTRY.

We really need you there. Aimee a drive from Texas wouldnt be that far, Gayle from Branson, and Virginia D. its time. Virginia from Michigan my sweet friend I know you can drive like Andy GRanatellee so I know you'll think about it. Hope to see new faces, Patsey and Keith, and of course my wonderful counsins Christopher and Courtney and My Prescious Mom. Lets do it for the dogs and shut those Puppy Mills down. This is in a differant place then normal so please read the whole e-mail. Dress warm. You will feel so strong afterwards because you did what is right and good. Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Love you all whether you can do this or not. Its your choice. No guilt. Uh Ruth its right down the street from you. No guilt. xx
LOve Dayle dayleann2009@yahoo.com

Name: PUPPY EXPO (PUPPY SALE). Rescues/Bre- eders/Vets .

You can see the ad at http://thelist.kaango.com/feViewAd/15855095

HIV awareness

2009-12-16T06:22:00.000-06:00

Dayle has just read and signed the petition: Create a Generation Free of HIV

You can view this petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/6130646

Message from Dayle:
-----

Hi, I signed the petition "Create a Generation Free of HIV". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 15,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts.

-----
ThePetitionSite.com provides tools and empowers individuals to make a difference and effect positive change through online activism. Get connected with the causes you care about, take action to make the world a better place, and start your own petition at http://www.ThePetitionSite.com!

ThePetitionSite.com is powered by Care2, the largest and most trusted information and action site for people who care to make a difference in their lives and the world. www.care2.com

FIGHT ANIMAL CRUELTY!!!

2009-12-14T09:17:00.005-06:00

PLEASE ACT against this HORRENDOUS ACT OF ANIMAL CRUELTY by sending an email or letter as noted below. This is bad. Please lend your voice and FORWARD A EMAIL TO ALL OF THESE JUDGES AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DELIBERATING ON THIS CASE. THE ARRAIGNMENT IS NEXT FRIDAY ,12-18-09 SO TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. BUT THIS CASE IS JUST LIKE EVERYONE SAYS IF YOU CAN JUST SAVE ONE ANIMAL AT A TIME YOU HAVE DONE A GOOD THING.

Here are links to the story: http://wjz.com/local/pitbull.phoenix.burned.2.1035666.html

http://www.wbaltv.com/news/19860205/detail.html

HERE'S THE EMAILS AND LETTER:

PLEASE copy the below letter and send it to the following: Judge David W. Young, Honorable Patricia C. Jessamy, Baltimore City State's Attorney, (copy Kimberly B. Morton, Esq., Deputy State's Attorney; Communications, Margaret Burns, Chief; and Investigations, Cynthia H.
their email addresses:
David.Young@courts.state.md.us, mail@stattorney.org, info@stattorney.org, kmorton@stattorney.org, mburns@stattorney.org, cjones@stattorney.org, mayor@baltimorecity.gov, CouncilPresident@baltimorecity.gov, James.Kraft@baltimorecity.gov, Nicholas.D'Adamo@baltimorecity.gov,Robert.Curran@baltimorecity.gov, Bill.Henry@baltimorecity.gov, Rochelle.Spector@baltimorecity.gov, Sharon.Middleton@baltimorecity.gov, Belinda.Conaway@baltimorecity.gov, Helen.Holton@baltimorecity.gov, Agnes.Welch@baltimorecity.gov, Edward.Reisinger@baltimorecity.gov, William.Cole@baltimorecity.gov,Bernard.Young@baltimorecity.gov, Warren.Branch@baltimorecity.gov, MaryPat.Clarke@baltimorecity.gov

Letter or email script:
Honorable David W. Young, Baltimore City State's Attorney Office, Mayor Sheila Dixon and City Council:
I have followed the case of Phoenix, a one-year-old pit bull terrier soaked in gasoline and set afire on May 27, 2009. I understand the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted twin brothers Tremayne and Travers Johnson, 17, on five counts of animal abuse and cruelty. I thank the state's attorney office and court for its serious deliberation in this heinous crime. Phoenix was euthanized in caring hands after her kidneys failed. Swollen and charred, her immune system simply couldn't handle burns covering 95% of her body. But this case is as much about the twins as it is about Phoenix. These youths are so desensitized to suffering, they ignored the cries of a living creature enveloped in flames.

I urge you to levy felony animal cruelty penalties that include up to three years in prison, a $5,000 fine, and mandatory counseling. If the Johnsons are involved in dogfighting, as suggested by puncture wounds seen on Phoenix, please punish them under animal fighting laws too. I hope you will ensure these teens are barred from contact with animals.
Columbine's Eric Harris, D.C. serial killer Lee Boyd Malvo, murderer Kip Kinkle and others "practiced" on animals before graduating to people. Andrew Golden, 11, and Mitchell Johnson, 13, killed dogs in Jonesboro, Arkansas prior to gunning down four students and one teacher. Mississippi 16-year-old Luke Woodham mortally stabbed his mother, killed three classmates and shot seven more. Later in court, he confessed to bludgeoning his dog with baseball bats and setting her on fire.

One U.S. study revealed that five of 11 killers involved in nine separate school rampages had formerly abused animals. In another study, "Childhood Cruelty Toward Animals Among Criminals and Noncriminals," 25% of aggressive criminals confessed to five or more acts of torturing animals. Clearly, the animal-to-human violence link demands your utmost attention. I reiterate my request that Mayor Dixon and the City Council address violence at its roots by creating an animal abuse task force with citizen representation. Please also empower animal control officers under the police department and advocate prosecution in all animal abuse and fighting case.

Thank you, in advance, for punishing Phoenix' killers to the fullest degree allowed by law.
Sincerely,

World Peace Festival

2009-12-12T00:33:00.003-06:00

http://www.worldpeacefestival.org/

Unlike other peace festivals that have gone before, the WPF is not simply an awareness generating vehicle, rather it is a call and a pathway to action. This event will teach people how to be more at peace with themselves, others and the environment, by sharing Tools for PeaceTM are simple, practical exercises, already used by master peace builders around the world, for implementing peace on a personal level.

The goal of the festival is to create sociological peaceful change by starting with individual peaceful change. Through the medium of art, music, dance, sport and the spoken word, people will learn the real causes of personal and interpersonal conflict, and be empowered to recognise and choose real and tenable alternatives to violence in any context.

The festival features arts, sports and cultural events, including photography exhibitions by Russell James and Chip Duncan, as well as a WPF Film Festival. On the second day, there will be a seven-hour music concert with the title of "All 1 Tribe", where world-renowned, global performers will play alongside indigenous artists.