artsreach_info.html

The HeadsUp Arts initiative, ArtsReach, is a collaborative arts effort seeking to increase self mastery and stability in the lives of individuals who are at risk. Participants in the workshops are often marginalized adults and families, including persons living on the streets. The acronym HeadsUp means Health, Education, and Arts Developing Skills, Unity and Peace. Created in 2003, HeadsUp, Inc. is connected with the MSUMC, which has been sponsoring programs in the arts for more than twenty years.

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Recent accomplishments of Artsreach include: (1) A series of Creative Writing workshops, led by Linda Louise King, with the HIV/AIDS, Drop In Center in which dozens of new writings have been produced, including poetry and prose (fiction and non-fiction). (2) A digital photography and painting series, led by Munir D. Mohammed. (3) Displays and readings in the collaborative URI (Feinstein Campus) Exhibition on HIV/AIDS awareness, curated by Steven Pennell ("Positively Aware").

ArtsReach Steering Committee Members

ArtsReach is fortunate to have an active and strongly empowered steering committee that includes Pastor Aida Fernández; graduates of respected art schools; psychiatric and social service professionals; artistic directors and independent artists; the Vice President of Adult Service of Crossroads Rhode Island, Marianella Dougal; and our project role model, founder and former Director of Fresh Art NYC, Wendy Warlick.

Linda Louise King (2nd from the right. no longer on the committee) mentored over 20 participants in the art of creative writing (sample essays can be seen here: ArtsReach-Essays). Under the direction of Cultural Program Director, Steven Pennell, some of her students' creative writings were displayed at the HIV awareness exhibit, POSITIVELY AWARE.

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"The Narragansetts"
Munir D. Mohammed
(Painted from a photograph taken by Michael Goodlett, an ArtsReach workshop participant)

Munir D. Mohammed has participated in over 25 individual and group shows and painted 22 community and school setting murals. In 1996, he co-founded The International Gallery for Heritage and Culture. He is the Artistic Director and had supervised an average of 35 AmeriCorps artists per year, providing art and cultural education programs in schools and in the community. In 1999, he received his M.A. from Rhode Island School of Design. He is still an active studio painter.

During October and November of 2008, Munir led eight-week workshops in digital photography and painting for ArtsReach in collaboration with URI and RISD. This work culminated in November and December of 2008 in a display at the URI, Feinstein Campus exhibit POSITIVELY AWARE (curated by MSUMC parishioner Steven Pennell).

Please note that Munir offers private lessons: Foundation art, from basic to advance art classes; for more information, please contact, Munir at munirhajara11@yahoo.com.

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Currently, ArtsReach is recruiting volunteer art mentors and art educators. Resumes and proposals for six-week workshops ending in community presentations are requested for: community dance, theater, meditative painting, and photography. If you would like to apply, or to recommend someone, please contact the church staff at 401.331.8900.