ARTreach is driving the arts to Katy and hosting an honorary event for all the people who are helping to steer the way. ARTreach’s Heroes Among Us Art Making Event is on Saturday, August 14th, 10:00- 4:00 p.m. and sponsored by Don McGill Toyota of Katy.  On this day, you will find over 100 ARTreach heroes in the lobby of Don McGill Toyota of Katy painting the ARTreach Art Car and participating in several collaborative projects that make a heroic statement about the importance of the arts in our community.

ARTreach is putting the pedal to the metal and driving the art mission home.  Who are the heroes behind the wheel and driving the arts to Katy?

ARTreach and The Heroes Among Us.  The heroes are represented by hundreds and hundreds of community donors and supporters of ARTreach.  ARTreach heroes are community volunteers, business friends and corporate sponsors.   ARTreach heroes include the board of directors, advisors, the staff and the generous supporters behind this arts education and outreach organization founded in Katy in 2003.   ARTreach is headquartered in Katy, Texas to serve the growing needs related to the arts in the tri county area.

“Many people are hearing about the great work being done through ARTreach and its subsidiaries.   This is why many community leaders and local businesses are very proud of their involvement in the success of this outreach organization”,  says Texas Senator Glenn Hegar, Katy resident and ARTreach hero,  “ARTreach is a community supported nonprofit that puts its resources directly into outreach programs to provide much need art programs and mentors to a growing list social service agencies, schools and underserved communities.   Their advocacy and willingness to share their resources is clearly advancing the arts education movement statewide, opening doors and paving the way for this nonprofit from Katy, Texas to have a tremendous impact on a very important population.”

“In addition to this,”  says Hegar,  “ARTreach is having an impact on our Katy families through their exemplary community programs and special events. ARTreach gallery openings and interactive art and music festivals improve the quality of life and creative atmosphere of Katy.   ARTreach community programs incorporate the heritage of Katy and share the arts connection throughout the district to include the unincorporated areas surrounding the City of Katy.   ARTreach is bridging the gap between three counties and sharing an influence that benefits the entire area.”

The public is invited to join the Heroes at the honorary event being held at Don McGill Toyota of Katy, on August 14th from 10-4 pm and help paint the ARTreach ART Car and create a community masterpiece.   Refreshments are provided by Berryhill Baja Grill of Cinco Ranch and Villagio Town Center, and Fish City Grill of LaCenterra. Other sponsors of the Heroic event include Absolutely! Magazine and Sweet Spirit Productions. See the ARTreach URGEWORKS Dancers- “Dancing with the Cars” performance at 2pm.

ARTreach Programs are made possible by individual donations, foundation grants, Texas Commission on the Arts,  and Community ART Partners.   ARTreach 2010 Select ART Partners include Don McGill Toyota of Katy, Marcel Group and the Villagio Town Center, and Agave Road of Katy.  2010 Signature ARTreach Event Sponsors include Agave Road of Katy, Firethorne,  Tradition Bank,  Berryhill Baja Grill in Cinco Ranch and Villagio Town Center.

Be an arts driver, or just come along for the ride. Everyone benefits when the Arts are Alive! Volunteer or make a donation today. Become an ART Partner of ARTreach. Visit www.artreachonline.org  to learn more, email info@artreachonline.org  or call 281-797-2806 to find out how you can become involved.

Our organization puts these beliefs into action by designing, funding, and delivering art programs that can spark individuals’ creative thinking, promote positive outlooks, improve self-confidence, widen horizons and teach life skills that improve tolerance, compassion, and otherwise promote the health and well-being of citizens of our tri-county area.

Since 2003,  ARTreach has served the neediest populations through our effective collaborations with local social service agencies, senior centers, and our Independent School Districts. Our program directors, artists and volunteers are trained in teaching methods that are arts-based and relevant to the populations we serve.  We have measured and documented the outstanding results of these programs, in partnership with our sponsor schools, centers and agencies.

ARTreach Programs are ranked the highest in integrity, impact and capacity by the Texas Commission on the Arts State review panel.  If you are a Social Service agency, a non-profit organization, a PTA or school – even a City can now ask the State for funding to bring any of the ARTreach programs to wherever you need ART to be.

We would like to ask the City of Katy and the residents of all surrounding counties to invest in our community’s success and support the arts now.  Contact ARTreach, Ask for more Art in our community.

Art makes a difference, so does your support.

ARTreach relies on grants and donations from foundations, businesses and individuals like you who value and prioritize the arts in your life, school and community. Become and ARTreach Partner today. Be an ART volunteer and advocate for the arts. You can donate dollars or your time, donate supplies for our programs, or art for our galleries to sell. Purchasing any of our beautiful ARTwork or utilizing our Coterie of Art Services will help.  visit www.artreachonline.org for more information. Thank you for your support.

Please buy original Art, support artists, musicians and teachers. Proceeds will benefit community programs in Katy and our outreach to the underserved. To learn more about the work we are doing, and to become involved. Visit our website. www.ARTreachonline.org ARTreach and our programs are supported by the State of Texas with funding available from the Texas Commission of the Arts to help schools and communities in need. Ask for more Art. Ask for ARTreach Programs.

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

ARTreach URGEWORKS Programs start this month. Our summer camp for youth at risk is sponsored by KBR and WE! 4500 W. 34TH ST. SUITE K. HOUSTON, TX 77092 CALL CHRIS FOR QUESTIONS 713.885.6990

Recently our organization received a generous donation of space, free rent for two years valued at $43,200 from The Warehouse Studios in Northwest Houston. We have been asked to match the facility donation with program development that will directly impact this community. We will be providing URGEWORKS Programs. These are our programs that represent urgent outreach targeting high risk youth in underserved communities. These ARTreach Programs work to turn youth away from drugs and gang activity by providing a safe haven in their community and exposing youth to positive people and creative alternatives to negative behaviors.

The URGEWORKS programs combine ARTreach teaching methods, mentors and positive role models, with relevant aspects of the hip hop culture to teach dance, art, music and drama. The programs promote learning and provide new and creative opportunities for youth at risk to be successful and contribute positively to their communities today and into the future.

It is true, ARTreach URGEWORKS Programs in underserved communities are utilizing professional street dancers and graffiti artists to actually help students stay off drugs, stay in school, and stay out of trouble. Our artists teach that through hard work and perseverance you can make your own dreams come true. The program teaches techniques in dance and utilizes fine arts curriculum that incorporates educational objectives that help students meet mastery standards in fine arts, language arts, history, math and science. The program also supports physical education, teaches about character and community responsibility, and promotes healthier lifestyles and safer communities.

The URGEWORKS Programs are urgent and they work! ARTreach is currently offering these programs weekly in 3rd Ward, and one day a week at The Warehouse in NW Houston. The Warehouse is located at the corner of 34th and Mangum in the heart of a Latino community much in need. The building is 6000 sq ft made up of 7 classroom and office space and a 3000 sq. ft. of air conditioned area for staged shows and performances. The Warehouse will house a recording studio and dance studio and offer free health and exercise programs to residents in this community. The Warehouse is also home to The Worship Experience Church providing services weekly to reach out to this community as well.

Our challenge through this gift in kind is to expand our ARTreach Programs immediately to serve the urgent needs represented by the youth in this area. We are accepting this challenge, because we know our URGEWORKS Programs WILL help the children and the families living in poverty and in this community. We also believe the additional benefits of full time ARTreach programming in this community will touch the lives of the elderly residents living alone and in need of companionship and social interaction that free art, music and movement classes will also provide.

This is a major project for ARTreach and we are starting it now. Our first goal is to expand programs serving children at risk from 10 hours a month to 30 hours a month by July. ARTreach will be tracking the increasing numbers of students and measuring the impact the ARTreach Programs are having in this community for the next two years. We will be producing short film documentaries that will capture our progress and share the results of an outreach program that we hope can be replicated by mission driven art groups and community leaders anywhere as a viable solution that truly supports the needs represented by children at risk.

We are asking for your support. Your donated dollars will be used to contract the ARTreach staff necessary to support the additional students. ARTreach staff is responsible for community relationships, curriculum development, lead teaching, and volunteer recruitment and artist training to expand and assure programs ongoing. Donations in any amount will help and are 100% tax deductible.

Donations are accepted online www.artreachonline.org using Visa or MC or Pay Pal. Checks are also can be made out to ARTreach and mailed to:
ARTreach
Warehouse Studio NW
4500 W 34th Street Suite K
Houston, TX 77092

We invite you to be a part of this important project and support the ARTreach URGEWORKS Programs at the Warehouse in NW Houston. Please visit our website to learn more about ARTreach and the impact the arts have on children at risk and others in need www.artreachonline.org

We are also in need immediate donations of art supplies including Crayola Markers and basic white drawing paper, Prang Watercolor sets, Watercolor blocks and paper, Liqitex Complete Classic Studio Acrylic set, Standard depth wrap around and gallery wrapped canvas sizes 16×20 ($25.19) up to 4 x72 ($429), Acrylic and watercolor brushes/ white or golden synthetic brushes, size 2- 32

We are also improving the studio and classroom space where ARTreach programs will be offered we are seeking donations that include Paint, Lumber, Carpet, Sound Equipment, Tables and Chairs, Office furniture, Computers

We also need volunteers to help, and skilled laborers for the flooring and carpet installation, painters and technicians for office computer and sound system set up.

Thank you for your support! Please contact me anytime for details about this program and to discuss other ways you can become involved and help.

Terri Bieber
ARTreach, Executive Director
t.bieber@artreachonline.org
Cell 713-444-1897
Office 281-392-5341

Please contact our ARTreach URGEWORKS Program Director, Chris Gamez for more information. Become a Mentor through Art today and volunteer to teach dance, art and music to children at risk.
Chris Gamez
info@artreachonline.org

info@urgeworks.com

ARTreach “Within my Reach” Vocational Art Training Program for children and adults with special needs (DARS Pilot 2010)

ARTreach partnered with DARS (Disability and Rehabilitation Services) to pilot an 18-week Vocational Art Training Program to aid in the transition of high school graduates with autism. DARS identified graduate Abid Syed to participate in the pilot based on his high level of interest in the arts and teacher recommendations. The program goal would be to ascertain Abid’s ability to follow instructions independently, and access his own creative processes to create and reproduce individual art works that could be sold. Abid’s training included a variety of drawing techniques and art making processes that resulted in artwork for public exhibition. Examples of his finished work of art were reproduced as sets of note cards to present a cohesive, professional product for DARs review of vocational objectives.
Abid’s cards were sold within the 6 days after being displayed in the lobby of local banks. His cards met with positive response from multiple viewers and prove to be able to generate income for the student. It is important to note that these customers have no knowledge of Abid’s autism and are purchasing the cards for their aesthetic appeal.

Thank you DARS for supporting Abid Syed’s ARTreach vocational training and artistic development. This pilot was also made possible through the community support of many and a grant from the Fort Bend Junior Service League supporting ARTreach “Within My Reach” program development and exhibitions for special needs children and adults through vocational art and entrepreneurial training.

Fine Arts is a required course for graduation, and Raines students need this credit. Not only does taking an art class open the door for students to discover an unrealized talent, but art courses at Raines also provide numerous opportunities to teach a range of subjects through the creative art making process.

Karen Richards is the Art Teacher at Raines and she is always looking for new ways to engage her student’s heart and mind in fine art, she seeks out projects that will take her students to the higher level and measures her students’ improvement not just on the project outcome, but also on the changes in their attitude, outlook on the future, and work ethic. She applied for ARTreach project support when she learned the organization had received new grants that would help fund collaborative murals at underserved schools in Katy ISD. She wanted to do a special project that would capture the essence and unique student culture at Raines.

ARTreach provided an opportunity for the students at Raines to work with a professional wildlife artist and muralist Vickie McMillan as an Artist in Residence. The project concept would be developed by the students to be unique. The project would combine several teaching objectives supporting fine arts and also demonstrate how to work as a team to create collaborative work of art. It was decided that the mural should become a legacy piece to motivate future Raines High School students in their academic careers.

On the first day of the residency program, Vickie introduced herself to the class as a professional artist, and told the students they could paint just like she could. This idea was difficult to believe. Vickie returned weekly, and left the students instructions to master the techniques she had demonstrated. Mrs. Richards gave pep talks of encouragement, and within a few short weeks the students began to teach each other. By the end of six weeks the masterpiece was complete. It is difficult to believe, and it is beautiful. You will see great student pride represented in this work. The officially unveiling of the Raines Student Project will be held on April 15th 5:30-7:30 at the ARTreach Gallery Night at Tradition Bank.

“ …whenever community organizations like ARTreach take an interest in any student population it’s a great thing” says Richards, “ Bringing in outside resources can inspire students to try new things. In addition it makes them feel cared for – someone has faith in them.”

Do all zebras look alike? From a distance they may, but every zebra’s stripe pattern is unique just like our fingerprints. A surprising outcome of this project was the connection the Raines students made with the Zebras. They quickly connected with the concept that every zebra stripe is unique much like every student at Raines yet they all bring their uniqueness together for a common goal and the outcome is the student body of Raines High School.

Attend Gallery Night at Tradition Bank April 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and learn more about the RHS ARTreach Mural Story and other ARTreach projects in Katy ISD. ARTreach Scholarships for private studio classes will be awarded to gifted and aspiring artists in Katy ISD also on this evening.

This is a unique ARTreach Program called “Within My Reach” featuring professional musician and touring artist Dan Egger-Belandria of Austin, Texas. ARTreach has been enriching the lives of our children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities since 2004- we offer vocational art training programs, life skills, PPCD workshops, cultural arts and educational support, staff development and community involvement projects.

Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this exciting ARTreach event in the Brookwood Community to be held on Friday, May 21st. Come for lunch in the Brookwood Café, and stay for the show at 2:00 PM, meet the citizens and take a tour of this incredible community. This event is sponsored by ARTreach for the Brookwood Community and made possible thanks to grants and donations to ARTreach. Exchange Club Members, Rotary Club Volunteers, National Charity League Mothers and Daughters, National Honor Society, Chamber volunteers, VIPS, Best Buddies Field Trips, Compassionate Friends, Arc Members, Downs Syndrome Association families and new-to-Katy, Fort Bend and Waller County volunteers are invited to attend this special event. Visit www.brookwoodcommunity.org for directions.

For more information about this event contact Terri Bieber at 281-392-5341. Visit www.artreachonline.org to learn more about ARTreach or to make a donation today!

Students and teachers are prepping the walls for the first stage of the mural project, photo above is of  Principal Christine Salenga participating in the process.

ARTreach Murals projects are professionally driven and average $35 cost per square foot. A mural project this scale that contracts a professional muralist would cost the campus $20,475.00 in fees tied to labor and supplies. Many schools can’t afford a mural, and those that have murals are leaning heavily on a very active PTA to support the labor and the necessary fundraising for this kind of art project. McRoberts is a Title One school with limited PTA involvement. The campus applied for support from ARTreach in January when the organization announced new grants had be received that could be used to help underserved schools in need of interactive art and mentoring projects. Approved projects would integrate Science and Math teaching objectives and support social skill development and self esteem. Numerous schools submitted a request for a variety of projects. In the end five Katy ISD schools were approved for spring semester projects; McRoberts Elementary, Schmaltz Elementary, West Memorial Junior High, Morton Ranch Junior High and Raines High School. ARTreach grants will cover up to 80% of the costs of a campus approved project. To be awarded a project the school needed to demonstrate they had community support for their project and would build its own resources to cover a percentage of the overall costs. ARTreach is advocating for arts education with a goal to see PTAs and districts begin to prioritize funding associated with Arts Education in underserved schools.

“Students and teachers are the stakeholders that will gain the most upon the successful completion of the project.” says Vickie McMillan of ARTreach, “The community is working together through ARTreach and the school. The students and teachers have a positive influence on their project outcomes.” “Not only have they fed into the design and concepts behind the mural, the students at McRoberts have raised $1000 in funds by selling popcorn! Parents, teachers and students held a community garage sale on April 17th and raised money by selling booths for $20.00. Teachers even took rumba classes as a way to fund raise and made over $1,000. McRoberts goal is $4,095 and they are almost there. A decorated bottle created by art students is located at the front office for visitors and students to donate money to support the reminder of the costs associated with this project.”
ARTreach is hosting events monthly at Berryhill Baja Grill in Villagio Town Center in Cinco Ranch to help PTAs and schools throughout the district build resources to support arts education. The community is invited to join ARTreach at Berryhill on May 21st for 6-8 PM to “Paint for a Worthy Cause”. Contact Terri Bieber, ARTreach Executive Director for more information. ARTreach has announced a second cycle of projects will be approved for fall 2010 semester serving underserved schools and non-profit agencies in need art program support. Visit the website www.artreachonline.org and email info@artreachonline.org for an application for project assistance.