art-related programs and services to the underprivileged including children at risk, troubled youth, children and adults with special needs
and the elderly.
Board of Directors l ARTreach Staff l Program Directors l Contact Us
copyright 2009 ARTreach, all rights reserved.
ARTreach in your community
The need for art programs serving children at risk and children and adults with special needs are rising. ARTreach is responding to the needs in Houston, Katy, Sugar Land and the Woodlands and you can help! ARTreach artists, dancers, musicians, volunteers and supporters reach out - every donation of time, talent and dollars make a difference.
ARTreach URGEWORKS
Programs running in underserved schools in Houston and the third ward community, serving Children at Risk
Program Director: Chris Gamez
URGEWORKS Programs are popular with principals and social workers, because they focus in improving a young students self esteem, self awareness, and sense of belonging. These programs also utilize the arts to support character education, anti-gang involvement and drug abuse prevention. Chris is currently training dancers and artists to work with students at various school locations including Jackson Middle School on Wednesdays, and Caldwell Elementary on Mondays 1:30-2:30 p.m.
July 8, 2009
4 p.m., Jungman Library, Houston
URGEWORKS presentations in underserved communities are also scheduled to be held in the Houston Public Libraries this summer including the Jungman Neighborhood Library on July 8th at 4 pm,
July 14, 2009
10:30 a.m., Central Library, Houston
URGEWORKS perform the Mathematics of Hip Hop on July 14th at 10:30 a.m. at the Houston Central Branch located at 500 McKinney.
New ARTreach URGEWORKS Programs directed by Chris Gamez will be going to the DePelchin Children Center later this month. Please visit our Programs catalog for a complete description of all the URGEWORKS Programs. Artists interested in training to support these ARTreach programs please contact Chris Gamez.
Agencies and schools interested in booking these programs may contact J.Thigpen@artreachonline.org. ARTreach member agencies and campuses will qualify for assistance. Contact ARTreach for an assistance application.
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FORT BEND
Dan Egger Belandria and his World Rhythm Journey
visited Mission West Elementary and Townewest Elementary this past month in a project funded by Fort Bend Junior Service League and private Sugar Land donations to bring the arts to children in underserved FBISD campuses.
Dan is also ARTreach Program Director overseeing projects for the Austin area. An ARTreach roster artist and touring artist listed on the Texas Commission on the Arts. Up to 50% matching fund are available to support Dan’s programs by applying for support through the TCA.
“All About Me”
Mondays and Thursdays
Through May 7, 2009
Garcia Middle School, FBISC
Fort Bend ARTreach is also piloting a new creative writing program designed by ARTreach teaching artist in training, Suzanne Adams of Sugar Land. Her program is called “All About Me” and teaches character traits combined with creative journaling exercises to build a stronger sense of self worth in 6th grade girls.
TelFair Neighborhood Project
Another Fort Bend area project spotlighted this month features ARTreach artist Kelly Dillard in a community project for Newland Communities TelFair Neighborhood in Sugar Land. Kelly worked with children attending the annual Spring Festival at TelFair to create a beautiful work of art that will be displayed at the community center.
ARTreach Scholarships Announced!
Program Director Elizabeth Linder announced the 2009 recipients of her ART Studio Scholarship. Nathan Byrne of Fort Bend and Aaron Melcher of Katy. Luke Stoddard was the recipient of our Cinco Ranch Conservatory of Music Award for private violin lessons.
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KATY
WITHIN MY REACH!
Parents with children ages 16-65 with physical and development disabilities can sign up for "Within My Reach" ARTreach Vocational Arts Summer Day Camp. The cost is $80 per week per student. Students will learn to make silk screened tee shirts, note-cards and functional ceramics that can be sold. Our ARTreach Vocational Camp ends with a "Within My Reach" craft show at the ARTreach Heritage Arts Center at Katy Hertiage Park. Our students will have an opportunity to sell their own line of crafts created in the camp to recoup the cost of the camp and earn money!
ARTreach Studio
Other ARTreach Studio programs serve the elderly and Alzheimer's patients in assisted living, including the ARTreach Breakfast Club running weekly on Tuesdays at 10 am and 2 pm at the ARTreach Studio. These programs are offered for free to residents in assisted living and are taught by ARTreach Program Director Tess Thornton.
There are ARTreach Studio Programs open to the general public, including The Breakfast Club for Senior Citizens on Thursdays, ARTreach Adults Night Out the last Thursday of each month, and Teen Art Night the second Friday of each month. Call for reservations 281-381-7202
The ARTreach Studio in Katy is located inside "Ceramics by Tess" in the Times Square Shopping Center off Grand Parkway near I-10. Volunteers are invited to assist in ARTreach Programs serving the elderly or special needs adults on Tuesdays and Thursdays to create special projects. Volunteer today!
Music Makes My Day!
New ARTreach Program Director Michelle Mitchell offers a weekly Music Program to benefit adults with physical and developmental disabilities and the ARC of Katy. Volunteers are welcome to attend and participate in this hour of music and sing-a-long every Wednesday at 9 am at the ARC Day Program located at the Beverly Laws YMCA Camp. Michelle also volunteers at the Sunrise Senior Living Community. Thank you Michelle!
Expressive Arts
ARTreach Program Director Lorena Fernandez offer Expressive Arts Workshops to the general public, as well as hospitals and recovery centers. This is a Healing Arts practice that helps individuals cope with difficult times, life changes, grief, illness and recovery. Contact L.Fernandez@artreachonline.org to register for a session or workshop in your area.
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THE WOODLANDS
ARTreach has been running special projects directed by Vickie McMillan for two years in the Woodlands. Vickie has donated over 141 hours to ARTreach this year and is currently directing social projects for the We Care Residential Treatment Center. We Care Residential Center is a placement center for youth in juvenile probation and in need of therapy and educational programs that that will help the child cope with anger and issues related to abuse and neglect.
Vickie recruits volunteers to support We Care and we wish to thank our Woodlands ARTreach volunteers Joy Parvis and Sheryl Preece for the many hours they have donated to support this program. Vickie is organizing an art supply drive for summer ARTreach projects and arranging special field trips. Woodsedge Church and local businesses like The Olive Garden in The Woodlands are long time supporters of field trips and art activities for the children at We Care. Woodlands ARTreach Programs are also offered via the Woodsedge Church, AIDS Compassionate Outreach. Vickie is offering art classes and supporting volunteer training at the AIDS Residence off Buress Street near the Woodlands. If you wish to become involved please contact v.mcmillan@artreachonline.org
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INTERNATIONAL
ARTreach is partnering with outreach organizations and churches to utilize the arts in an effort to educate and make changes in Africa. These programs are directed by Vickie McMillan of Katy, Texas.
ARTreach programs in Nigeria are teaching artists a range of new painting techniques and how to sell their work in galleries for a living. Workshops are offered weekly in watercolor, acrylic, and basic drawing. Children's workshops were conducted at the Hoedspruit South Africa orphanage for 3 months in the summer.
ARTreach is collecting materials for international projects this year. We need canvas, paint, brushes, books, stickers, paper, colored pencils and markers. Please contact us if you can help organize an art supply drive for ARTreach at this time.
TAPE Award
Did you know? ARTreach was named by the Texas Association for Partners in Education (TAPE) as the 2009 Crystal Award winner for innovative art partnerships in Texas specifically for our great projects serving Fort Bend ISD.
ARTreach is partnering again this year with the Cinco Ranch Property Owners Association to bring a series of cultural art presentations to La Centerra Town Shopping Center and the Katy community this summer. A complete list of upcoming events and presentations is posted on our website calendar. See Dan Egger Belandria, Sam Dinkins, URGEWORKS Dancers, Jean Kuecher's Marionette Playhouse, Storyteller Dan Gordon, harpist Sara Shute and more!
