Polly Messer '98

Grayson writes, "Get your tickets now for the big concert this Friday April 6th at The Kate!
http://www.facebook.com/events/143780559067085/"

quote of the day

“I often think that the night is more alive and richly colored than the day.” –Vincent Van Gogh

Eileen Tavolacci MFA '11

Eileen writes, "I have a woodblock print in "Panorama" at the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk.
The 2012 Annual Members' Exhibition runs April 1 - May 27, 2012.
Opening Reception: Sunday April 1st  2:00 - 5:00 p.m."

Katie Bassett '08

Open Studio "Possibilities"
Sculpture & Painting

15 Great Pasture Rd., Unit 15, Danbury, CT

Select Saturdays, or by Appointment
10 am - 3 pm

Artists: Jim Felice, Katie Bassett, Kenny Hess, KVEAZY, & Various Guest Graffiti Artists

Dates for 2012
- Apr. 14, - May 5, - June 9, - July no event, -
Aug. no event, - Sept. no event, Oct. date to be announced

David Skora

Skora Sculptures

‎"Symphony" installed in the outdoor dining area at New Buffalo Middle/High School, Michigan

MFA Thesis Exhibition opens this afternoon at 4:30

Join us in Higgins Gallery, WCSU midtown campus in Higgins Hall Annex to meet Christopher Donnelly (Illustration) and Renee Bascetta (Illustration),  along with the 2012 MFA Thesis Exhibitors: Jennifer Wyzykowski (Illustration, work posted Mar 26) Amy Almeida (Painting, see her work posted Mar 26) Ensoo Park (Painting, work posted Mar 27 afternoon) Christina Ciacci (Painting, work posted Mar 27 morning) Angeli Robinson (Painting, work posted her Mar 27 afternoon) Tiffany Johnson (Painting, work posted Mar 27 morning) Linda Ann Rynkowski (Painting, work posted Mar 27 morning) and Megan Marden (Painting, posted Mar 27 afternoon).

Chris Donnelly "Flour Sack Viking" watercolor & pencil on paper 6"x6"

Renee Bascetta "Untitled" watercolor on paper 12" x 16"

Phil Lique MFA '08 & Karin Mansberg MFA '11

Phil Lique &
 Karin Mansberg
at 

The Mercurial Gallery

3/10 - 4/13opening 4/21:
The Mercurial Gallery is located at 11 Library Place in Danbury, CT. Parking is available directly across the street in the Charles A. Bardo garage.
The Gallery is open
Monday         11-5
Wednesday      11-5
Friday         11-5
Saturday        1-5
and by appointment. Call (203)417-2215

Photography Conference

 

http://www.neccc.org/New_Outline_13.htm

Tracy Powers MFA '09

Tracy writes, "Calling fellow artists: An old friend of mine is helping organize this event. Support their cause and submit your artwork for their juried show!"

The Winchendon Arts Festival

winchendonartsfest.org

Bryan Bielefeldt '11

Web Development Internship

Response Marketing, the greatest agency in all the land, is looking for a talented and innovative web development and tech savvy intern to assist with the development, SEO & maintenance of both our website and our clients digital presence. Some former interns are now full-time employees; some have gone on to achieve fame and fortune; all of them had the opportunity to make a great impact here. We’re always looking for unique, hard-working, intelligent and personable individuals for our team.
Reports to the Director of Interactive / Technology
Responsibilities:

• Write HTML5, CSS3, PHP(basic knowledge), JavaScript and jQuery for new and existing projects
• Assist in maintenance of ongoing development projects
• Assist with SEO efforts aligned with the overall digital content strategies
• Work within WordPress importing content, managing plugins, and making adjustments to template style/code (other CMS systems may include Joomla, Expression engine or drupal)
• Assist in writing and maintaining project documentation as needed
• Attend weekly development meetings and participate in code reviews

Requirements:

• Available a minimum of 10 hours per week
• Must have good oral and written communication skills
• Ability to complete tasks within the time estimates
• A desire to learn new technologies and advance your career in a demanding environment
• Experience on a PC or Apple with a code editor of your choice

These skills are a big plus:

• Knowledge of web hosting software and server management
• Mobile development experience and responsive design
• Basic understanding of Facebook, Twitter or other social media APIs
• Make minor adjustments in server-side code (C# or Java)
• Other languages (Ruby/Python/Objective C)

If you think you have what it takes, send your resume and code samples to bbielefeldt(at)thepowertoprovoke.com.

Jamison Odone MFA'10

Jamison writes, "Share this if you would. I'm giving a free workshop this Saturday on making art from literature. Many thanks in advance!"

 Making Art from Literature

Workshop participants will create text and images pieces, primarily through drawing and hand-lettering. No drawing experience needed. Any drawing level is appropriate. Participants should bring pens, pencils, and erasers. Bring no-mess colors (colored pencils, colored markers, NOT paint) if you have them. Paper will be supplied, but participants can bring extra paper. Most important, participants should bring text sources (their own writing, or the writing of others): poetry collections, novels, essays, whatever inspires. 

Saturday, March 31, 2012
12:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Dunkle Hall
Frostburg State University Campus
Cost: FREE

Meet the Artists, Thursday at 4:30 pm in Higgins Gallery, WCSU

Angeli Robinson "Lyrical Abstraction 1" oil on canvas 14"x11"

Megan Marden "Outlet" oil and mixed media on canvas 36"x48"
http://www.meganmarden.com

Eunsoo Park "Biodiversity" oil on canvas 34"x59"

Meet the Artists, Thursday at 4:30 pm in Higgins Gallery, WCSU

Linda Ann Rynkowski "Autumnal Enchantment" oil on canvas 40"x50"

Christina Ciacci "Duo" oil on board 24"x24"
http://www.christinaciacci.com/ 

Tiffany Johnson "Engulfed in Green" oil on canvas 8"x8"
 http://www.theartoftiffanyjohnson.net

ShawnaLee Kwashnak '96

ShawnaLee writes, "I just got a call from a Realtor in Arizona that bought a painting of mine from the 90's on e-bay! He wanted to know everything he could about it! I am totally blown away!"

Meet the Artists, Thursday at 4:30 pm in Higgins Gallery, WCSU

"Gone" oil on linen, 58"x58" by Amy Almeida, MFA '12, painting

http://www.amyalmeida.com/

"Best Friends" watercolor, pan&ink, digital
by Jennifer Wyzykowski, MFA 12, illustration

meet the artists, Thursday at 4:30 pm in Higgins Gallery, WCSU

mfabooklet2012final.pdf

Jamison Odone MFA'10

Jamison writes, "Attention writers--enter this today...kinda fun. I just submitted one: http://www.npr.org/series/105660765/three-minute-fiction"

Three-Minute Fiction : NPR

www.npr.org

How long does it take to tell a good story? We're betting you can do it in just a few minutes — three, to be exact. For our contest, we want to hear your original short stories that can be read in three minutes or less.

Wendi Cahill '95 at Molten Java

Byrd's Books is honored to cap our Grand Opening weekend with a slide show, discussion and book signing with Joseph Farris, as he discusses, "A Soldier's Sketchbook".

The slide show will take place in the main room at Molten Java, with the book signing in the Upstairs Gallery in Molten Java-across from Byrd's Books.

Space is limited, registration required: (203) 730-2973 or events@byrdsbooks.com

MFA Thesis Exhibition opens Mar 29

This year’s thesis class includes seven painters and three illustrators.  They have thoughtful comments about their work.

Amy Almeida, from Fairfield, CT, creates large-scale, powerful paintings that often include light bulbs and chandeliers as subjects.  “I use specific objects, reflections, light and shadows symbolically by painting them inside a particular reality that carries the expression of each piece independently.”

Renee Bascetta, of Waterbury, CT, creates small-scale works, often watercolors.  She explains, “As an illustrator, I love to tell stories with images.  My hope is to bring out the child inside the viewer.  My current works are regarding traditional American holidays.”

Christina Ciacci, from Milford, CT, is a painter of compelling works.  “I am particularly interested in shape and color functioning as weight and air.  Finding the shapes through observed forms and the use of my own intuitive sense of color, I seek to portray experiences or situations in my life.”

Christopher Donnelly lives in Guildford, CT.  An inventive illustrator, he writes of his work, “I see the world as an imaginable place where characters of all types live to overcome difficulties.  As a character designer, it is my task to lend plausibility to the look and feel of a ‘toon, in order for it to be believable.” 

Tiffany Johnson is from White Plains, NY, and paints in a strong range from figurative to abstract forms.  Some are bold portraits; others are textural abstractions.  “The self portrait compositions”, she writes, “represent my use of color relationships and built up surfaces.”        

Megan Marden is from New Preston, CT.  She works with intriguing set-ups, some that include dinosaur toys.  “I paint from direct observation.  While areas of my paintings are abstracted, they do not stray from reality arbitrarily.  I find myself drawn to surface and three dimensional qualities in a work of art.”

Eunsoo Park, of Trumbull, CT, is originally from South Korea.  Her intensely colored and patterned paintings are based in nature.  “Beauty is found almost anywhere in this world.  By working with a larger scale, I will both create an expansive image that draws the viewer in, and accentuate the beauty of my subject.”

Angeli Robinson, of New Rochelle, NY, describes her lyrical, abstract paintings as “full of fresh colors and bold, expressive brushwork.  These elements come together in dynamic compositions that are full of life and energy.”

Linda Ann Rynkowski, of Darien, CT, is a landscape painter.  “When engaged in painting from observation, I seek to evoke the sense of atmospheric phenomenon found in nature, creating a dialogue in which the subject transcends the canvas, evoking a sense of deep, intimate space, the perception of color as light.”

Jennifer Wyzykowski lives in Harwinton, CT.  Her illustrations are engaging.  She writes, “My work has evolved into being inspired by children and what they feel.  Children need to know that what they think is important.  I am creating a book with their thoughts and feelings in mind.”

reminder: Call KAA

Tomorrow: attend a critically-acclaimed-critique by Scott Bricher at 10 am at Kent Art Gallery! Receiving for Member Show 1 follows at 11. Take this opportunity to strengthen your artwork with Scott's advice and expertise.

And don't forget to renew your membership for a year of great art experiences at Kent Art!

Carmen Lund MFA '06

"Discover the Art in Nature. It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” Henry David Thoreau

Carmen writes, "I wanted  to let you to know that I will be giving a workshop on Vieques.  I will be giving this in Puerto Rico and again in the summer in CT.

Carmen adds, "My workshops and classes are about supporting individuals to Re-discover their unique voice and creativity.  I use the medium of paint but am interested igniting one's creativity in an form of expression.  I have been designing classes and workshops for this purpose and two of the workshops are;

The Big Brush Workshop™ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEU9hS1toAE)

The Art in Nature™ 

Information on my Classes, workshops and events are on my website.  (http://www.leapwithcarmenlund.com/events/)"

From the flyer:
Everyone is capable of looking, but few are capable of "Seeing" beyond an object itself and into its essence and mystery. In this outdoor workshop, you will be led in simple fun and intuitive exercises using your cell phone camera, markers, pencils and watercolors to enhance your awareness. No experience is necessary and all ages are welcome. All you need is the desire to see more fully ... the end results will amaze you!

 Carmen invites you to an:
Experiential workshop to enhance your creative vision
When: April 3 and April 10
Where: Outdoor location to be announced after registration
Investment: $120 (two days) $75 (one day)
Contact: leapwithme@gmail.com

Ival Stratford Kovner MFA '02

Ival writes, " I have my work hanging at Molten Java in Bethel with the work on display until the end of March. 

I am excited about being selected for the current show in New Haven, Paint and Clay Club's Juried Annual Show at Ely House in New Haven, March 11 - April 1st. Lovely work - glad to be included"

Mark Estrada '05

Mark writes, "Hey! My band is playing Saturday at 7pm at the room (http://www.theroomct.com) in Brookfield! Come check out our new songs and then join us for drinks after!!!! Doooo it!"The Room
the room, 3 Production Drive, Brookfield, CT 06804
(845) 222-5117,  theroomct@yahoo.com
To see more about the band http://thesecondadvance.com/bio/

Alain Picard '97

Alain's invitation: 

Come and join our six week Studio Class from April 10 - May 15. Held at Alain's studio in Southbury, this class gives you the unique opportunity to bring your own photographic references, and work on the subject that most inspires you. Personalized instruction at the easel will be provided to each student as they develop their paintings. All levels, beginner to advanced, are welcome. Pastel and oils.

Be inspired,
Alain

Erica Fabrizio '08

Erica writes, "Dear Friends,

I need your help!! This weekend I am hosting a Photo Mini Session Charity event in Ballard Park to raise money in memory of two Ridgefielders, Debroa Madelbaum and EJ Carfi. I have most of the time slots filled but my hope was to fill them all up to be able to donate more. If you can take a moment to post a link to the event on your facebook page, send anyone you may know who would interested an email, anything you can do to help will mean the world to me!!

Here is the link to the event:
http://www.facebook.com/events/121679821292307/

Thank you so much in advance for your help!!

Best,
Erica"
For more information and to book a session, please contact Erica Fabrizio at 617.642.9691 or ericafabriziophotography@gmail.com for a 30-minute session on Saturday, March 24, to benefit Friends of the Breast Cancer ListServ, Inc., in memory of Ms. Mandelbaum, or Sunday, March 25, to benefit The Molly Ann Tango Foundation in memory of Mr. Carfi, both of whom passed away recently.

Click here to see details as featured in Arts & Leisure

• • 16 Bailey Avenue, Ridgefield, CT 06877  |  

    Copyright © 2012  Hersam Acorn Newspapers

Tony Zatzick MFA '02

Big week for Liquitex Artist Materials Demos ~ School of Visual Arts, Hunter College, Fashion Institute of Technology, and Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University! Let me know if you'd like me to visit your program in the NY, NJ or DC areas to show off the latest Acrylic Mediums in a hands on presentation with Free Samples!

Michael Libhaber MFA '06

Michael Liebhaber - Community Paintings 
You are invited to the opening reception for my new landscapes and cityscapes of Kaiserslautern and the local area. They were all drawn en plein air on my iPad and are places that you may pass every day. Will you recognize them? Please come look, visit, eat, drink, and enjoy.    

Location:  Restaurant Visione
                Gaustraße 1, Kaiserslautern
Date:       Thursday, 29 March 2012
Time:       19:00 - 21:00Champagne will be served. Dinner follows the reception (optional). Visione serves a selection of Mediterranean and regional dishes. If you think might stay for dinner, please RSVP. Dinner is at your own expense, but it serves a good cause - read below. 

To RSVP - please click here or reply to this email announcement
Visione's social mission --  Visione was the first handicap accessible restaurant in Kaiserslautern and its on-going mission is to hire mentally and physically challenged individuals and prepare them for permanent employment on the open labor market. A portion of the artwork sales will be donated to Visione.

Melissa Hatch Sheldrake '00 - call

Melissa posted the following call:
Rochester Contemporary Art Center's (RoCo), international small art phenomenon returns with thousands of original artworks, made and donated by celebrities, international & local artists, designers, college students, youths, and YOU. Each artwork must be 6x6 square inches (15cm) or mounted to a 6x6 board, and signed only on the back, to be exhibited anonymously. All entries will be accepted, exhibited and will be for sale to the public for $20 each (in the gallery and online for global purchasing) to benefit RoCo. Artist names will be revealed to the buyer upon purchase and all artworks remain on display through July 15, 2012. Sold Out artists' names will be revealed next to their work online on July 6. Anyone may enter up to 10 artworks of any medium (2D or 3D) and there is no fee to enter. Join our celebrity contributors and be a part of this global small art event...send your artworks early!
http://www.roco6x6.org/6x6x2012_intro.php
Mail Artworks to:
Rochester Contemporary Art Center
137 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604

6x6x2012

June 2 - July 15, 2012
Artwork Entries Due: May 6, 2012 (Postmarked by May 5)
Global Online Preview Begins: May 25 @10am
In Gallery Preview: May 30, 31 & June 1, 1-10pm
Opening Reception & Artwork Sale: Sat. June 2, 6-10pm
     $5 opening night admission
     7:30pm raffle for buyer position #1-20
     8:00pm all other buyers
Global Online Purchasing Begins: June 5 at 10am
Sold Out Artists' Names Revealed to Public: July 6
Purchased Artwork Pick-Up: July 15 - 17, 1-7pm
RPO Bravo Award: All entries are eligible. *New!

Chris Durante '82

 

Chris invites us to his opening "05@22", March 29-April 26. Opening Thurs, March 29, 5:30-8:30P.M...don't miss it!

Antique inspiration: March 28

Danbury Museum & Historical Society is hosting a new event and is giving a shout out to everyone in Western CT who thrives on creativity and inspiration.  Writers, bloggers, painters, and the creative like, can come for two hours on Wednesday, March 28, and see the trove of antique goodies the museum will lay out. The launch of this inaugural gathering of ‘The Pen & Paper Creatives Collective' is geared toward utilizing museum resources to nurture creativity.

from Danbury Patch article by Christine Rose (3/21/2012), click for complete article: http://bethel.patch.com/articles/artists-and-writers-may-find-inspiration-in-historic-archives#photo-9378006

Public Call to Graphic Designers

Deadline for Entries April 6!

The Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance announces a new Call for entries for eligibility to participate in a creative challenge: An Association Logo Design for HVCA.  The selected graphic designer will create a logo design package for HVCA to use on letterhead, business cards, brochures, banners, and websites.  Selected artist will also have the opportunity to provide collateral design services including membership brochures, banners, etc.  In addition, the graphic designer will work with the web design team to update the website.  The winner of the challenge will receive cash compensation and award prizes - a value of $1,875 for the completion of design package and services. Prizes include a 1-hour consultation with Hal Tweedy and owner of Dream Bigger Coaching, a gift card from the Danbury Fair Mall, and 6-months logo banner advertisement.   Click here for additional information

Receiving at Kent Art Association

Kent Art Assosciation Members' Show I
March 25 to April 22
Receiving - this Saturday,  March 24 from 11am – 2 pm

At 10 am, prior to receiving, noted Artist Scott Bricher will be doing a critique of members work.  Critiques are limited to paid members and only one image per member is allowed.

Kent Art Association, 21 S. Main St, PO Box 202, Kent, CT 06757  860-927-3989 

Art Expo NY

The World’s Largest Fine Art Trade Show!

International Artexpo is the world’s largest fine art trade show, providing dealers, collectors and buyers with access to thousands of innovative works from artists and publishers in one single venue. Over its 33-year history, Artexpo New York has hosted many of the world’s most renowned artists, including Andy Warhol, Peter Max, Robert Rauschenberg, Robert Indian, Keith Haring and Leroy Neiman.
 http://artexponewyork.com/show-information/about/

MFA 2012

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) Thesis Exhibition, featuring the paintings and illustrations of WCSU M.F.A. students, will be on display from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays from Thursday, March 29, through Tuesday, April 10, in the Higgins Gallery in Room 101 of the Higgins Hall Annex on the university's Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. There will be an artist reception from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 29. The exhibition and reception will be free and open to the public. For more information, call (203) 837-8410.

Join us Thursday, March 29 at 4:30 pm.

I will be gallery sitting on Tuesdays and Thursdays, stop by to say hi.

Phyllis Boger MFA '02

Phyllis writes, "So excited, I just had a watercolor painting accepted in the Alabama Watercolor Society."

 

Congratulations Phyllis!

WCSU theatre arts senior portfolio

The WCSU department of theatre arts will present "Next to Normal" at times to be announced in the Reimold Theatre in Berkshire Hall on the university's Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Call the Berkshire Theatre Box Office at (203) 837-8732 for information. To purchase tickets, call (203) 837-TIXX or visit www.wcsu.edu/tickets.

COA "New Directions Forum" Follow-up Sessions

Arts Division

Recently the CT Office of the Arts made presentations in regions across Connecticut to announce its new approach to grant making. In the future, high impact Creative Placemaking projects will receive priority funding through a new grant process. These grants will encourage the development of projects that stimulate partnerships between the arts and culture sectors and other public and private community sectors to strategically shape the physical and social character of Connecticut’s urban centers, towns, and villages.

The Connecticut Office of the Arts invites you to engage in a strategic conversation aimed at shaping the Creative Placemaking grant guidelines.  The follow-up sessions are working sessions that will consist of guided discussions seeking input on the following:

• What guiding parameters should be in place so that projects are most likely to expand the market for art while enhancing the communities around arts venues?
• Who may apply for a Creative Placemaking grant?
• What funded expenses will be allowable/ineligible?
• What will be the matching funds requirement?
• Should the grant awards be made annually or on a multi-year basis?
• How will the results, such as market development and community impact, be measured?
• What other considerations should be made?

Throughout March, follow-up sessions are being offered across the state by COA staff in partnership with the regional arts agencies, and in collaboration with hosting venues.  You are encouraged to participate in your region, however if this does not work with your schedule, feel free to participate in any region that is convenient. 

 http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=2076&Q=500376&PM=1 for available sites, I will be attending at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury on Mar 21 at 9 am.

Susan Lang '87

 Susan invites you to

My Dad's Truck at Jordan's for St Patrick's Day!

 

Jordan's Restaurant 900 Main Street South, Southbury, CT 06488 St. Patties day. Saturday march 17th. 4-5 live bag piper!!! 5-9 live band. Corned beef specials all night. Don't miss the Fun!!   Susan writes, "Reservations are strongly recommended for this family=friendly evening - - make sure you ask to be in the room with the band!"

CCT - CT office of the arts

I attended a CT Round Table yesterday discussing CT arts: The following is from their website
http://www.ct.gov/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=3948&q=464520



The Office of the Arts develops and strengthens the arts in Connecticut and makes artistic experiences widely available to residents and visitors.  Through its grant programs, the office invests in Connecticut artists and arts organizations and encourages the public’s participation as creators, learners, supporters, and audience members.  Through its program and services, the office connects people to the arts and helps to build vital communities across the state.

In addition, the Office of the Arts plays an ongoing convening role and provides an array of training and professional development opportunities.  The Office of the Arts collects and disseminates state, regional and national arts information resources via web communications, directories, publications, data-sharing, one-on-one consultations, and referrals.

Important Notice from the Connecticut Office of the ArtsIn order to strengthen and align the effectiveness and impact of arts and cultural organizations, artists, and emerging groups, and to focus outcomes on collaborative activities that create jobs and revitalize communities, the new direction of the Connecticut Office of the Arts will change as of July 1, 2012.

COA will strategically integrate current grant programs including Arts Access (Arts Presentation and Creative Collaboration), Artists Fellowships, Arts Project Support, General Operating Support, Local Arts Agency Program, and the Strategic Initiative Program into one wide-ranging, comprehensive resource designed to give constituents practical and creative options when applying for grant support. These programs currently receive $1.6 million annually in funding. In FY 2013, a total of $3.1 million will be available, almost double the current level. The new strategy will be designed to generate a broader impact through fewer but larger grants to organizations of all sizes, as well as to individual artists, in an open and competitive grant program.

Art in Public Spaces, Arts Endowment, HOT Schools, Poetry Out Loud, Peer Advisor Network, and the Connecticut State Troubadour/Connecticut Poet Laureate programs will continue as is. To view the full new direction statement, click here.

Current programs include:

• Art in Public Spaces
     > Connecticut Artist Collection
     > COA Artist Registry 
• Artist Fellowship Program
• Arts in Education
     > Arts Presentation Grants
     > Creative Collaboration Grants
     > Directory of Performing Artists
     > Directory of Teaching Artists
     > Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Schools Program
            - HOT Leadershops
            - HOT Schools Summer Institute
     >  Poetry Out Loud
• Arts Project Support
• City Canvases
• Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund
• Connecticut Poet Laureate
• Connecticut State Troubadour
• Creative Placemaking Pilot Program
• CTvisit.com website
     > How to Post Your Special Deals For Free on CTvisit.com
     > CTvisit.com Event Guidelines
     > CTvisit.com Event Survey Form
     > CTvisit.com Listings Guidelines for Properties   
• Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellowship
• Gallery & Public Art
• Hyperlink Policy for www.cultureandtourism.org  
• Marketing Challenge Grants 
• Peer Advisor Network
• Public Relations

I will be attending a post forum meeting at the end of this month and keep you informed of grant opportunities. The buzz word yesterday was placemaking, which means community endeavors with groups, artists and communities working together.