The Urban Art Retreat | and Sisters’ Place

The URBAN ART RETREAT almost features stepping out of your comfort zone. It is all about doing things you have not done before, meeting people you have not met before, trying something you don’t know if you can do, and supporting others through their stepping out of their comfort zone. We ask people to join the company of people who are different from themselves, to learn from them and to teach something about themselves. We ask people to look at life differently than they are used to and make something of that. We ask adults to make art whether they are art-inclined or not; to use the problem-solving of art making in other areas of their lives. We ask people to recycle used stuff into objects of art- something they never thought of before.

Register for a new art program for adults using found objects to make art. The course is on Saturdays from 11-2 p.m. in our art studio- Differently Minded Art Studio. Check it out- you can do it! Bring something you found and make art out of it. Call first and leave a message saying you plan to attend on Saturday. $5.00 per class. 773-542-9126

Liz Long Gallery, our onsite art gallery, is now recruiting Chicago Black Artists to be part of a group art show for Fall 2010 during October & November. Our lead artist is James V. Allen. James will be heading up the open group show with his wonderful art work. Look for us to post additional images of art by James.

WOW! We JUST RECEIVED A DONATION OF 2 COMPUTERS AND 2 AIR CONDITIONERS. This could not have been more timely! We can now cool off from time to time. In addition, the generous individual who donated these “gently used ” appliances also spent part of 3 days
this week trying to get it all up and running.

Along with a little more help from a couple of spontaneous volunteers who happened to be at the UAR this day- they also installed the other 2 air conditioners which made all bedrooms have AC and the office have one side cool and the other side normal temp. This is so great since the other office helper or volunteer staff won’t have to freeze because the other office person is having re-acurring “private summers”.

An example of needing a Tech Person to volunteer their time-
I don’t know how to get to the “placing pics on the website” part.
I am not really certain if all files have been copied onto the newer computers, and I have some other questions. Sometimes I don’t even know the vocabulary of these changes in the computer, website, and for all the machines in the office. Thanks to this wonderfully helpful person and other helpful volunteers, we can get more efficient here in the URBAN ART RETREAT.
By the way, Paul! thank you!

Also culminating in the Differently Minded Saturday Art Studio program!!! A bunch of us adults rendez-vou and make some art in each other’s company. Melissa, Jess, Alfredo, Marvin, Dianna, Franklin, James, and Paul.

Meanwhile, Jenn is up in the art gallery putting the final touches on the materials for the beginning of this year’s youth summer program.
All of we volunteers for the summer program have met now and we are ready to go. We will host a summer program for children 4-6 and 7-12, plus youth between 13-20 yrs. old.

The younger group will meet weekly on Saturdays from 11-2 to engage in gardening, reading & WRITING, and making ART. At the end of summer there will be a fieldtrip downtown to play in water at Millenium Park, see a couple art shows at Gallery 37 and Cultural Center. Followed by ice cream at Baskins-Robbins.

The older group of youth will help to mentor the younger group on Saturdays. They will participate right along with younger youth and help them to learn.

They will have their own peer day on a second day each week. We will decide on the second day when we first meet. Those who make it to the first meeting, will get to have a say in what will be the 2nd day of the week for Teen Hangout Time (snacks, discussion, music, art making, hangout inside and outside depending on weather.) Dianna and Bunny (Quinethel) will be adult volunteers attached to this group to assist group in their learning & experience group. Older youth group will help develop a talent that younger youth have for End of Summer Show Off Theatre experience on August 28. On that date the summer program will culminate in an outdoor and indoor festival featuring an art show by participants in all of UAR programs. Art representing both youth groups, adult studio time participants on Saturdays, some art by seniors from CHA senior building, plus art by residents of Sacred Heart Home. All viewers will get to vote for their favorite art work in all age categories. The 4 with most votes will receive a prize.

Also on that day, children will be able to receive a canvas backpack and paint it with their own design. Inside the backpack will be school supplies.
There will be a “stage” drawn in chalk on the pavement and youth will take turns showing off their various talents. Whether is is singing, dancing, theatre, or some other talent, …youth will have a chance to show their talent and be applauded for their bravery and in a few cases, being voted best in their category and win a prize.

There will also be a potluck early on and ending with marshmallow roasting over the campfire. We hope that any adults who would like to volunteer to make this wonderful summer experience available to youth will step up and help make it happen in a very positive way.
We also hope that older youth 13-20 yrs. old will make a commitment to help mentor younger youth on Saturdays this summer by participating with them in the UAR program of gardening, reading & writing, and making art. We can’t wait to see the wonderful art older youth make on their 2nd day of the week just for them and their peers! We know they will create some awesome art this summer. And finally but not least- the younger youth 4-6 and 7-12 will have a great time on Saturdays this summer planting stuff and helping plants to grow, writing poems, having snacks, and making art.

Weather permitting, The youth program will be outside in our gardens and on the front sidewalk here at URBAN ART RETREAT. We begin July 3, 2010. make sure your child is registered and sign a permission slip. These programs are free for children and adults who are punctual and atend consistently

We are just 2 blocks west of the Kedzie stop on the pink line!

Don’t forget our Parents Party is this Saturday, June 19, here at URBAN ART RETREAT, 1957 S. Spaulding Ave.

This is a kick off for our Summer Youth Program. We invite parents to bring their children this day and register and meet some of the volunteer teachers who will be spending time with your kids this summer. We will have refreshments, fun & games, and an opportunity to learrn more about URBAN ART RETREAT and how neighbors and others can get involved to make a brighter future!

Our younger kids group is for children 4-6 and 7-12. They will meet on Saturdays from 11-2.
Their teachers will lead them in reading & writing for fun, gardening projects, and art making. They will practice a talent during July & August to prepare them for the talent show on August 28. It is free for youth who are punctual and attend consistently.

Our other youth group is for young people ages 13–20 yrs. old. They will meet on Saturdays
to help mentor the younger children have fun during reading & writing, gardening, and art-making. the teen group will help younger children practice a talent so they can hopefully win the talent contest at end of summer. They will also meet another day of the week (T.B.A.) to hang out, BBQ, listen to music, write creatively, and make art. This program is free for youth who attend consistently and are on time.

Please help locate youth & parents who are interested in this summer program and have come register on Parents Day Party- june 19.

Thanks, and hope to see you there too!