It's Time To Get Back To Art...

It's Time To Get Back To Art

Buttafly Arts uses “creativity” as a platform for community “harmony” with its 2014 Summer Arts Series

Louisville, KY-- May 21, 2014-- On March 16, 2014, Me'Quale Offut was fatally stabbed on a public bus. He had joined a group of teens in savagely assaulting a lone straphanger. Me'Quale paid the price of kickin it with a raucous crew of young folk; when a quiet, soft spoken father, decided to stand up to an evil that was swathed in Aeropostle, blue jeans, and kicks. All Anthony R. Allen, 44, wanted to do was to take advantage of the affordable, safe transportation that was provided by what a visible city campaign has coined as “Possibility City.” However, the possibilities for some folk in this “promising river town” may prove trivial, as residents find it hard to enjoy a peaceful bus ride home.

It's time to get back to art... Buttafly Arts, a local agency that partners with other community agencies, schools, and arts related nonprofits to provide creative workshops for youth and adults , believes that Its time to get back to art and is kicking off this initiative with the 2014 Summer Arts Series, which will run from June 23^rd to August 8^th. The agency embraces the practice of art as a quality, that in some cases, has saved a community on the brink of chaos. This quality is summed up by quotes from a recent article titled Art and Expression as a Catalyst for Change and Development... the article goes on to state... This quality is key for any individual, especially for youth of color that have too often been the victims of a failing school system, an unfair judicial system, and a scapegoat for mainstream society. Yet, to transcend victimhood, one must develop a new positive identity, not rooted in deficits, but anchored in one’s strengths and abilities...Art and expression, when encouraged and praised by a supportive community, provides an ideal outlet for developing a toolbox of skills that can be useful throughout one’s life.

Art as activism... The agency prides itself with being involved with projects that pushes the individual to combine art with social and communal change. Buttafly just finished hosting the “Freedom Mic Series” which was a series of open mics sponsored by New Legacy Reentry Corp, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing reentry services for ex-offenders and returning veterans. Many of the featured artists and support staff for this series were ex-offenders who have created news paths of progress for their lives.

It's time to make it happen... The agency has appealed to churches, ministries, and other community agencies to make “community restoration” happen via a partnership with Buttafly. The agency hosts an extensive catalogue of workshops and classes which are posted on its website.

The classes can also be accessed via its Facebook page @ Facebook.com/ButtaflyArts. In addition, Buttafly also has a growing Artist Registry which can be viewed from a link on the page, as well. If you are interested in partnering with Buttafly Arts, or you would like to become a teaching artist via their registry; please forward an email to buttaflyarts@gmail.com or call 502-354-3496.

###

Welcome To Brooklyn!

Welcome To Brooklyn !

by t. semakula

I love Brooklyn, it’s fat with culture ….from the dread headed Rastas, to the Ricans and Afriques that be poppin off in East New York. Daily, Brooklyn is housing former Manhattan refugees who got tired of the sky high rent and the turned up snozzles of the super rich. These new expatriates are happy to find a new residence in a borough whose motto states… in unity there is strength . I cannot hide my love for Brooklyn. I remember when I slushed from the Bronx to Brooklyn on the train. I took the four to the two, and was happy to shoot out of the subway to get to the library that sat across from Prospect Park.

Brookly is 2.5 million strong. It has birthed the likes of Jay Z, Spike Lee, Mos Def, and the one and only Biggie Big. It’s known for being a city that gives a new meaning to the word ethnic. When you arrive in Brooklyn, you step into a stew of folk that represent different countries around the globe.The International African Arts Festival is held annually in Brooklyn as well as The West Indian Day Parade Carnival and a host of other ethnic festivals, and parties.

Brooklyn has been able to pull off the ultimate heist, it stole the spotlight from Manhattan. Where Manhattan failed ,with its sky scraper rent and infamous lack of livable quarters, Brooklyn became the perfect compromise. Low rent, spacious housing, a good mixture of professionals and the working class, a fifteen minute subway ride into the city, and a fifteen minute subway ride right back out.

Brooklyn has not voted for a Republican in a national presidential election in the last 50 years… with its liberal values and ability to attract artists, freaks, families, and intellectuals. Brooklyn has been able to match, or in some cases, outdo Manhattan when it comes to cultural activities and resources.

But in the end…I heart Brooklyn. When I pass under the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Arch at Grand Army Plaza, or cop a beef pattie and some coco bread, I can’t help but think that I am home. Maybe it’s because I am a writer, an artist, a dreamer…and we are the folk that gravitate toward Brooklyn. We are comfortable, knowing that Manhattan is just around the corner, its borders pushing up against the bridge that took fourteen years to stretch over the East River.

Article Sources

Brooklyn.Wikipedia. (2010) 21 January 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn#Government_and_politics

What's goin on in BROOKLYN?

Uncle Luis's Brain Damage Open Mic...is poppin Off in Brooklyn!........

Who's The Cultural King Of BROOKLYN?

Learn More About Artist Danny Simmons on Global Grind

A poem by a poet that lives in Brooklyn

Metrocard

by Luis Bernard

Metrocard is a passport.

A seat between a thug Hare Krishna and a Muslim eating an egg roll.

Dark-skinned people sit in the front.

Window view partially blocked by a fruity Sunday hat.

Annoying symphony of needless cell phone conversations.

Fallen forgotten patriots extend dirty hands to beg for change.

Young lovers make plans on park benches inspired by the sunshine.

Luxury cars parked in front of the projects.

Pigeons take aim. Heh-heh-heeee.

Children begin grown portion of life by committing suicide with cigarettes.

Secret society of adults smoke addictively, huddled in alcoves on break time.

Private men bargain with public prostitutes.

Stilettos are from 9 to 5 now.

Rite-aid’s everywhere.

But babies are still pushing strollers.

Liquors stores on every corner until the streets only have 2 digits and the bodegas are extinct.

Rejected def poets stand on corners with signs that read, “Repent”.

In just six weeks life can include becoming a Paralegal,Getting a G.E.D.,Speak EspanolHabla English,And have great-looking Dr Zizmor skin.

Young boys replace penises with handguns.

The homeless get younger.

The return of the space cowboy.

Direct T.V. forest’s litter low income housing rooftops

Minstrels still beat buckets, beat box and break dance on cardboard without blackface.

People rushing to get home to sit down.

Big Ballers Shot callers with escalades carefully counting out single dollar bills for a order of wings and fries.

Ghetto kids get rich and buy symbols of status quo from those who stole their ancestors in order to show successful they are.

Suburban kids try to show how hip they are by trying to look poor.

Hollywood elite stroll down 125th with the lastest must have accessory…African orphans

Monochrome niggers who eat barbaque chicken with a knife & fork.

Abused women who do not leave because they still believe that when the sky is on fire that he can put it out with the sun.

Thugged out gangsters who be lamping & flexing rolex’s, but is of no value because it does not let them not it is time to put down their guns and pick up their babies.

Funny, always heard the roller coaster was the worlds greatest thrill.

Bored to Death’ Brooklyn Is the New Noir

Is Brooklyn the new noir...Click here to read more about it

Buttafly CAN help you write your own story about BROOKLYN...or about...Wherever it is that you live!

Are You the Next Bestselling Author? Let Buttafly help you develop that book that you have always wanted to write. Click here...to see how we can make it happen...

Are You Connecting The Ten Black Dots?

Buttafly is Connecting The Ten Black Dots with Tracey Bond!

Mt. Hermon Baptist Church with Psalm 100/Mixed Media/Artist- Tracey Bond

"Art is literacy of the heart" ~ Elliot Eisner

I have been drawing since I was five years old…these are the words of the amazing artist, Tracey Bond, a Bronx born fellow creative soul , who has kindly given up some of her precious time to sit down and talk to Buttafly.

Buttafly- So who or what inspired you to become an artist?

Tracey- It was my mother who encouraged me to pursue my art. She pushed me to apply to a high school that was focused on developing young artists . Tracey attended Laguardia High School of the Arts which is also affectionately known as the Fame School. It was my mother who made me take my artmaking more seriously. I am glad that I listened to her, at Laguardia I was inspired by the other artists/creative folk . It was an amazing experience.

Buttafly-What mediums have you worked in, or feel most comfortable working in?

Tracey- I work with acrylics because I work in layers and the acrylic paint dries faster. I have used other mediums such as pastels and color pencils. I also dabble with computer graphics to help with the design of my personal line of greeting cards.

Buttafly- Your influences?

Tracey-The impressionists because of the technique. Vincent Van Gogh, because you can see his emotions through his paint strokes. In addition, the visual artists from the Harlem Renaissance did a good job depicting the lifestyle of African Americans.

Check out Gusteave Caillbote's Exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum " Impressionists Paintings From Paris To The Sea"- March 27–July 5, 2009....

”An artist is not paid for his labour but for his vision.” --. James MacNeill Whistler

Basketball/Acrylic/Artist-Tracey Bond

Buttafly-What do you think is the greatest challenge/s that artists face today?

Tracey-Getting started…getting your feet wet…. What is the plan for an artist when they graduate from high school, art school? It's important to break the stereotype of the starving artist. With the ability to keep up your momentum mixed with self motivation and confidence , you are sure to make it as an artist. There was a well known greeting card company (who shall remain nameless) who rejected me as an artist. I decided to create my own line of greeting cards (Cards Made In Faith). Basically, if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will.

Buttafly-As an artist, what do you see yourself doing five years from now?

Tracey- Enjoying life as a fulltime artist….conducting art therapy …..using art as a way to healing.

Praise/Acrylic/Artist-Tracey Bond

"All art requires courage" ~Anne Tucker

Self Portrait/ Tracey as a Masai Princess/Oil Painting/Artist-Tracey Bond.

Check out Tracey's Blog which features more of her beautiful artwork

Check out Tracey's Online Gallery

What Can You Make With Ten Black Dots?

Tracey Bond is offering a wonderful new workshop via Buttafly titled "What Can You Make With Ten Black Dots?" The Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews serves as a catalyst for this workshop that is geared toward students who would like to explore their imagination through literacy. Students will be able to create artistic responses via their artmaking. Via this workshop, students will increase the following:

Physical Development: Utilizing their fine motor skills, cutting and pasting.
Cognitive Development: Solving problems, using numbers and counting, applying knowledge
Language Development: Expressing self, participating in conversations, asking and answering questions.

To inquire about or book this workshop email Buttafly at buttafly100@yahoo.com

Tracey's Bio

Tracey Bond is a freelance artist/ Illustrator who was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. Tracey attended LaGuardia High School of the Arts as an art major. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Tracey has created an original line of greeting cards called ”Cards Made in Faith”. Her paintings have been published for “Cricket” magazine for children. Tracey is currently exhibiting at The Creole Restaurant, Music Supper Club, and The T&J Bakery Café in New York City.

MTK Entertainment 4 U and Buttafly Communications Presents
Sister of Da Soul Open Mic Series

Hosted by Marilyn Thomas-King
@ la pregunta arts café
1528 Amsterdam Avenue (135th St.)
New York, NY 10031
Every fourth Wednesday of the month
Five dollars per person
April 29 , 2009/ 7:30 p.m.-9:30p.m
Featured Poet/Writer: Robery Gibbons
Contact Info
Sister_of_the_soul@yahoo.com
347-431-7617/ 646-203-7464
Directions/Take the 2, 4, 5 to 125th, transfer to the M100 to 135th and Amsterdam/Take the 1 to 137th and College Station