#sparctheartmobile

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Reflection on Renée Neblett Talk

Reflections on “Building Kokrobritey” 

Renée Neblett’s talk on her work and mission with the Kokrobritey Institute was deeply moving. As someone who is passionate about sustainability and its connection with the arts, I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about eco-conscious art and design initiatives. I am a current fashion design student at MassArt, entering my final year. My approach to my studies has been hyper-focused on sustainable alternatives to the negative global impact of the fashion industry. I know that Ghana has been overwhelmingly impacted by imported second hand garments and textile waste, so I was curious to learn what the Kokrobitey Institute is doing to alleviate this issue. 

The talk was eye-opening. Ms. Neblett has built an innovative educational program that trains community members, amplifies their creativity, lifts up local traditions, cherishes ancestral knowledge, and prepares the next generation of Ghanaian creators and changemakers. Kokrobitey takes trash out of the streets and landfills and transforms it into furniture, clothing, jewelry, home decor, and more. Advertisement banners become satchels and pouches, glass bottles become earrings and construction supplements, denim jeans become tapestries and furniture upholstery, and much more. With a sewing studio, a glass kiln, a woodworking shop, a medicinal and nutritional garden, all in a self-constructed building, Kokrobitey is an innovative example of holistic environmental sustainability, such that we should all strive to achieve within our own communities. 

I was deeply inspired by this talk and the discussion afterwards. I look forward to learning much more about the Kokrobritey Institute and how I may someday be able to transform my vision for a cleaner, more just fashion industry into a broader positive movement to protect the environment and the culture that kept us near it.

— Heily Rivas, Fashion Design ‘24 – CACP Radical Welcomer/Office Assistant

Please check out the links below to learn about Renée and the African Renaissance. Other videos and information are available by visiting the Kokrobitey Institute website.African Renaissance. Other

.

https://twyg.co.za/renee-neblett-on-why-we-need-an-african-renaissance-in-fashion/#:~:text=Social%20activist%20and%20founder%20of,Awards%20on%2017%20November%202022.

#sparctheartmobile #CultivatingRelationships #ArtInPublicLife #ArtAndDesign #IgnitingArtAndDesign #Collaboration #KokrobiteyInstitute #RenéeNeblett

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Roxbury Sunflower Project 2022

I hope you’ve been wondering where the Roxbury Sunflower Project has been all summer. It is our fifth year of planting a beautiful idea with sunflower seeds. We begin by giving away over 10,000 seeds to the public. Then we plant mini sunflower landscapes throughout Boston.  Our launch took place at the Grove Hall Public Library on May 14th. It’s where we began back in 2018. Here are some cool photos taken by London Parker-McWhorter and Ekua Holmes.

sparc! the Artmobile and its team helped kick off the season with a seed giveaway, art making station and seedling planting. All ages came out to help plant sunflowers, pick up free seed packets and activity kits and to even create their own crown of flowers.

The newly designed sparc! the ArtMobile Van is right out front. Artists Super Sobek and Apex painted in live in 2021 at a Grove Hall in Color event.

Members of the sparc! team, Hannah, Isabelle, Christina, Ekua, Mei and Jordan. 

Getting crafty with the sparc! team.

The final design. And the winner is...!!!

Super Sobek (Jeremy Harrison) Honors the Roxbury Sunflower Project as only he can. See this mural at 48 Geneva Avenue across from the public library. Do you see anyone you recognize??

Hannah holds down the seed give-away with style and humor.

Friends and Family create works of art and activism...

Roxbury Sunflower Project logistics with Kai Holmes. The grid is everything.

Young gardeners in the making... Plant your seeds today for blossoms tomorrow... Watch us grow in the next update...

#roxburysunflowerproject #iloveroxbury #seedsofhope #deeplyrootedinroxbury #sparctheartmobile #RSP2022

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All are welcome!

-Chanel Thervil, sparc! Art & Community Coordinator

#roxburyrhapsody #napoleonjoneshenderson #sparc! the ArtMobile #sparctheartmobile #bostonart #publicart

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Join us for Jazz on the Green

Saturday should be a beautiful day to paint with sparc! and listen to Jazz!! You're invited to The Makanda Project’s final concert of the summer. Join sparc! the ArtMobile for an open air painting studio during the annual September Makanda Ken McIntyre birthday celebration. 

Jazz on the Green will be held at the First Church in Roxbury, 10 Putnam Street, Roxbury (rain location: inside church) - 1pm-4pm 

Jazz on the Green (2019) featuring guest artist Robert Murrell. 

At intermission there will be poetry by Vanessa Silva and a performance by student vocalists from the Butterfly Project. The music program will consist entirely of McIntyre compositions, including some of Makanda’s more recent “discoveries” as the ensemble continue to explore his large body of unrecorded work, and continue becoming more and more impressed with his brilliance as a composer. 

Jazz on the Green (2021)  featuring guest artist and former sparc! Team member Beatriz Whitehill

This event is for all ages and stages. Materials provided by sparc! 

Jazz on the Green (2019)  with community member and her wonderful painting

#sparctheartmobile #CommunityArt #Art&Healing #JoyMaking #OurCommunity #MakingArtTogether #ArtForAll #ArtHeals #ArtInPublicLife #IgnitingArtAndDesign #Roxburylove #TheMakandaProject

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Join sparc! for Mask decoration - Next Tuesday!

Join sparc! on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 3 - 5pm for a Halloween Mask Decoration and collaborative painting event at the Grove Hall Library (in the Jazz Lounge).  Led by the sparc! MassArt student team, this artful event is open to all ages and stages! No experience needed!

This past week our theme was Atlantis. With a focus on stencil, underwater creatures, and rich colors we created a beautiful underwater world. People's personal canvases showcased beach scenes, underwater monsters, and beautiful sunsets. 

See you on Tuesday - Oct. 31st!

#sparctheartmobile #CommunityArt #ArtandHealing #JoyMaking #OurCommunity #MakingArtTogether #ArtForAll #ArtHeals #ArtAndDesign #IgnitingArtAndDesign #GroveHallLibrary #GroveHall

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Join sparc! for Collaborative Community Painting

Fall is here and so is sparc!’s Collaborative Community Painting Sessions at the Grove Hall Library! Join us this coming Tuesday from 3-5pm for artmaking, connection, and music. 

This past Tuesday we had a wonderful time painting with youth at the library with the theme of Fall: Winds of Change.  Come learn some new techniques with the sparc! Team. 

These events are for all ages and stages and we still have 5 sessions left, make sure to drop in to the Jazz lounge at the Grove Hall Library Tuesday afternoons until November 14th. 

#sparctheartmobile #CommunityArt #ArtandHealing #JoyMaking #OurCommunity #MakingArtTogether #ArtForAll #ArtHeals #ArtAndDesign #IgnitingArtAndDesign #GroveHallLibrary #GroveHall

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JOIN US ON 4/25

Join us Thursday, April 25th, 2024 for a community celebration and exhibition showing the works created by our beloved workshop attendees. 

Time: 5:00 - 7:00 pm 

Location: ABCD Roxbury/North Dorchester Offices

565 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA

Today, we’re reflecting on the magic of one of our recent Creative Spaces sessions: our first-ever self portrait painting workshop!! The session was led by sparc! Program Associate Isabelle Higgins (Painting ‘19) and sparc! Team Member Ari Bowman (Illustration ‘26) . 

Attendees embarked on a figurative journey, painting their first-ever self-portraits!! The portraits were a sensitive reflection of the unique personalities of each individual.

This workshop is part of the Creative Spaces workshop series focusing on portraiture, printmaking and collage. 

#sparctheartmobile #CommunityArt #ArtandHealing #JoyMaking #OurCommunity #MakingArtTogether

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sparc! at Comics in Color Festival

Join sparc! the ArtMobile this Sat. at the Comics in Color Festival!! We’ll be leading a superhero mask making workshop in the activity rooms upstairs.  The sparc! team will be there 1-4pm The full festival runs from 10 AM - 5 PM.

The Boston Comics in Color Festival [BCICF] is a family-friendly event for all ages focusing on creators of color and stories by and about people of color. The event will include headliner(s); special guest speakers; panel discussions with working artists and writers, workshops, live art demos, as well as an artist alley for comic creators to share and sell their books, materials, artwork. Fun for the whole family!

Detail:

Click Link To Register : Boston Comics in Color Festival [BCICF]

Roxbury Community College

Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont St, Boston

Saturday, April 20, 2024

sparc! workshop: 1 - 4PM  

Full festival: 10 AM - 5 PM.

#sparctheartmobile #Bcicf #Bostoncomics #ignitingartanddesign #ourcommunity #roxbury #makingarttogether

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New Home for sparc! Collaborative Painting

🌟 Created in the fall of 2023, this painting has found its new home at the Grove Hall Library! 🎨📚 We're thrilled to announce that "Text Compost" will be installed on the 2nd floor of the Grove Hall Public Library✨ Crafted in collaboration with community members and the sparc! the ArtMobile team, using text stencils and patterning that move across the canvas. This painting embodies the spirit of connection and creativity which lives in all our sparc! events 🎉 

Thank you to all who added their brush-strokes and imaginations.

Let's continue to celebrate the power of art! 🖼️🌿 

#TextCompost #sparctheArtMobile #CommunityCollaboratio #InspiredByArt #cacp

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Free Art Workshops

JOIN US!!! Embark on a journey of creative self-discovery with sparc! the ArtMobile 🎨✨ Join us for 5 free artmaking sessions at Grove Hall Public Library every Thursday, 4-7pm from March 14th through April 11th. The sessions are free and registration is required. For more information and to register please click the link below. Space is limited! Let's ignite creativity and explore the world of art in community!

#sparctheartmobile #CommunityArt #ArtandHealing #JoyMaking #OurCommunity #MakingArtTogether #ArtForAll #ArtHeals #IgnitingArtAndDesign

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Community Collage with sparc!

sparc! the ArtMobile ran a fall and spring 6 week series of Collaborative Community Painting Sessions at the Grove Hall Public Library. Folks of all ages and abilities were welcome to explore the intersections of art and community along with featured guest artists and refreshments. The finished collaborative paintings will be donated to local community organizations. There was also the option for folks to create paintings that they took home with them.

#sparctheartmobile #CommunityArt #ArtandHealing #JoyMaking #OurCommunity #MakingArtTogether #ArtForAll #ArtHeals #IgnitingArtAndDesign

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Art2Go with sparc!

Happy Black History Month! Last week, sparc! the ArtMobile celebrated Love and Black History at the Grove Hall and Roxbury Public Libraries, by delivering Free Art2Go kits, featuring DIY Collage keychain and heart magnet art activities. Each kit contains collage materials, heart and butterfly cut outs, scissors, glue, our recycled material keychain bases, wooden magnet hearts and instructions. Marielys and Kasume, students from the John D. O'Bryant School of Math & Science are the first to take part. Supplies are limited. Get yours now!

#sparctheartmobile #CommunityArt #JoyMaking #ArtForAll #ArtHeals #ArtAndDesign #IgnitingArtAndDesign #GroveHall #Roxbury

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sparc! visits MassArt's FabLab

Peek behind the scenes! Last week, CACP’s Ekua, Ivy, and Isabelle visited MassArt’s cutting-edge 3D printer and laser cutting lab! 🌟 Studio Manager Adam Zapotok showcased the incredible machines MassArt students use to create art. sparc! is thrilled about integrating these tools to elevate our stencil collection for t-shirt and painting workshops. 🎨✨ Stay tuned as we explore incorporating 3D printed items into our programs. Exciting times ahead!

#ArtInnovationMassArt #BehindTheScenesatMassArt #sparctheartmobile #OurCommunityMassArt #MassArt #ArtAndDesignMassArt #IgnitingArtAndDesignMassArt #CollaborationatMassArt #CACPOfficeHappeningsMassArt

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As we close out 2023, we want to shout out to our amazing sparc! team and all they have accomplished. Our students have unique talents ranging from painting and animation to sculpture and photography. Their boundless energy and creativity is the driving force behind sparc!’s commitment to igniting art and design in the neighborhood. We are grateful for this vibrant team of artists and look forward to the New Year with new programs, workshops and events!

#sparctheartmobile #communityart #ignitingartanddesign #massart #ourcommunity #joymaking #artanddesign

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Holiday Art2Go

Yesterday, sparc! the ArtMobile delivered Art2Go kits to the Grove Hall Library. 📚✨  

We are sharing our “Make your Own Keychain”  activity and our brand new sparc! journals! This project is part of the Library’s “Make your Own Holiday Gift” workshop on Dec. 16th and the 20th.

The Grove Hall Library has lots of wonderful holiday events coming up, make sure to check them out.

(Art2Go kits available while supplies last)

#JoyMaking #OurCommunity #IgnitingArtAndDesign #sparctheartmobile #Grove Hall library

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Collaborative Painting Celebration

We need all the celebrating we can get these days - am I right? So when sparc!’s fall Community Collaborative Painting Sessions came to an end for the season we were eager to celebrate the creative energies and people who made these sessions so rich and joyous!  

As part of the event we showcased all the artwork from the past sessions, shared a meal, grooved to R&B tunes, and asked folks to submit ideas for titling each of the collaborative paintings. We also continued to paint together because we love painting with y'all!!

Thank you to all who participated in the last six weeks of sparc! Community Collaborative Painting Sessions. Stay tuned to see the finished artworks revealed!

#sparctheartmobile #CommunityArt #ArtandHealing #JoyMaking #OurCommunity #MakingArtTogether #ArtForAll #ArtHeals #ArtAndDesign #IgnitingArtAndDesign #GroveHallLibrary #GroveHall