The Art of Africa, an ARTreach touring exhibition in Katy
The entire collection will be unveiled at Agave Road in October
Stop by Garden Cafe in the Village of Old Katy and see a unique ARTreach exhibition in the café gallery. This is the starting point of a destination tour that features a collection of original artwork created in ARTreach’s first international outreach mission to Africa. This exhibition tour features the original artwork created by 36 Uganda artists and is called the ART of Africa.
About the mission
Individuals living in Uganda are struggling in poverty resulting from years of economic mismanagement and political turmoil. The International ARTreach mission to Africa was made possible through church partnerships and the initiative of ARTreach program director, Vickie McMillan. Her dream was to go to Africa and teach art to individuals who would never otherwise be given the opportunity due to limited resources and factors related to poverty. The objective of the ARTreach project was to share her American dream and her vocational and entrepreneurial spirit related to art and gallery exhibitions. Her workshop was designed to instill a sense of hope for the future and expose the creative power within and a person’s own ability to affect change in their own life and community, no matter how bad the circumstances and the situation. This is an ARTreach teaching philosophy.
About the artists
Artists were given the opportunity through the Uganda Arts Council to participate in the ARTreach workshops. Her residency included the sharing of new art materials, mediums and techniques with over 50 enrolled Ugandan artists. She was able to teach valuable lessons, and leave behind new paints, professional brushes, canvases and quality paper provided by ARTreach donors from Katy, Woodlands and the Houston area.
Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by Tanzania. The southern part of the country includes a substantial portion of Lake Victoria, which is also bordered by Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda takes its name from the Buganda kingdom, which encompassed a portion of the south of the country including the capital Kampala.
“I am in Kampala, Uganda and working with artists who are starving to paint!” Vickie explained in her journal reports, “They are using discarded cloth found in trash piles, and painting on leaves and tree bark. The pigments are expensive and they are seeking their opportunities to paint their own expressive notions” The artwork created in Vickie’s Kampala workshops demonstrated the artists wide range of natural and self taught talent.
At the conclusion of Vickie’s residency, she left the group with her American challenge. She wanted to encourage the artists to continue to paint and she gave them an incentive to practice their new found skills, and hone their talent to help themselves live easier in this world.” Vickie gave them the opportunity to create new work and send their finished pieces to the attention of ARTreach in Katy, Texas. The organization would respond by organizing an exhibition to sell their work for them in a market that enjoys art and buys original art. A market not found in their tribal hometown area. This challenge was accepted and within this year over 75 pieces have been sent to ARTreach with the artists seeking the help and support of ARTreach.
About ARTreach
Thanks to grants and donations from individuals and local businesses this Texas based nonprofit from Katy is currently organizing the kind of exhibition that will make a struggling artist’s dream come true. All purchases from the ART of Africa will benefit the families and the Ugandan artists involved.
“To us, these works of art represent the hopes and dreams of every person who wants to make a better life for themselves,” says Terri Bieber, founder and executive director of ARTreach, “Our organization is very proud of this work and of Vickie McMillan and her dedication to this project. Anyone purchasing this artwork will know the sale will benefit many families and artists in Uganda and ARTreach. The income earned through the sale of one painting in America will feed a starving artist in Africa for a year!” Bieber ads, “This is a signature ARTreach Exhibition and we are seeking many more sponsors. Please inquire!”
ARTreach asks the Uganda Council to reserve 10% of the funds to assure art supplies and new materials remain available to the artists so they will continue to paint and sell their work. Additional proceeds exceeding the opening bids on any of these limited works of art will benefit an array of local ARTreach programs.
Thank you for your interest in ARTreach and the ARTreach Programs. To learn more about our organization visit www.artreachonline.org and check out the ARTreach Coterie – here you will find our online gallery and can see the entire collection of the ART of Africa. Bid online. Final bids will be accepted on October 21, 2010 at ARTreach’s annual gala exhibition, this year held at Agave Road in Katy, Texas. Tickets to this event will be available soon online.
Find the ART of Africa in great destinations all over Katy August 1 – October 21!
Small rotating exhibitions are being featured in hot spots all over Katy. See selections from of the ART of Africa collection between now and October 21st – Take the tour and make the following businesses your cultural arts destination!
The Garden Café in the Village of Old Katy
1512 Avenue C, Katy, 77493
(281) 391-4480
Salt and Pepper Restaurant
5608 Fifth Street, Katy, 77493
(713) 854-4336
Agave Road
1016 FM 1463,
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 395-5070.
Don McGill Toyota of Katy
21555 Katy Freeway
Katy, TX 77450
(832) 772-1000
Tradition Bank
1515 Grand Parkway
Katy, TX 77450
The Wine Next Door located at LaCenterra in Cinco Ranch
23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd.
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 395-4100
The ARTreach Gallery at the “V” located in the Villagio Town Center
22756 Westheimer Parkway, Suite 180,
Katy, Texas 77450
281-363-1336
Opening bids start as low as $150 online. However, businesses or individuals interested in purchasing any of these unique and original works of art while on tour can override the bidding process by making a $1,000 tax deductible donation to support ARTreach Programs today. A donation on this level will confirm a final bid and mark the piece SOLD. A donation on this level also represents the ARTreach’s Community Partners Giving Level. This level will include your painting, and also provide recognition on our website, tickets to all ARTreach special events, and acknowledgement in our newsletter and other media. We strive to go beyond the standard expectations with opportunities for our community partners, to include your employees and your customers. For more information about the ARTreach Partners Program you can visit our website or contact Christine Stilwell, at ARTreach by calling 281-797-2806 or by emailing c.stilwell@artreachonline.org
Thank you for supporting the arts in our community. It is the vision of ARTreach to provide equal access to the arts while inspiring, empowering and uniting people and their communities through cultural awareness and the arts. The arts cultural influence represented in our community and its impact on the city’s economic development will ensure a creative and sustainable future for Katy. Visit the ARTreach Gallery and new corporate offices located at The Villagio Town Center in the heart of Cinco Ranch, 22756 Westheimer Parkway, Suite 180, Katy, Texas 77450.
Learn more about ARTreach and find ways you can become involved www.artreachonline.org
How can you help?
• Become an ARTreach Partner – contact Christine Stilwell c.stilwell@artreachonline.org
• Join our Artist Coterie and market and sell your original art and quality art services with proceeds benefitting ARTreach, Contact our Coterie Director, Fatima Donaldson email info@artreachonline.org
• Train to become a teaching artist, a professional artist, a performing artist, or an ARTreach exhibition coordinator, look for great volunteer opportunities by visiting our website www.artreachonline.org
• Become and advocate for the arts in Texas
Contact Terri Bieber, Executive Director for more information 281-392-5341/info@artreachonline.org
i was at a painting seminar yesterday at the villagio center and wanted to inquire about purchasing a piece i saw on the wall while i was there. thank you!