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.

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Buttafly is blogging about Music As Beauty..an excerpt from T. Semakula's upcoming book titled..The Food Stamp Bandit

Buttafly is blogging about Music As Beauty..an excerpt from T. Semakula's upcoming book titled..The Food Stamp Bandit

by T. Semakula

Hip Hop music became the cultural essays that were written inside project apartments. These essays were drafted on legal paper with blue ink. Hip Hop music beautified the complexity of hood intellect and caught the attention of educators and scholars.…While mainstream American media consistently portray urban youth of color from a stereotypical, deficit-based, and deleterious standpoint, these images run in startling contrast to portrayals in rap music. Rap music artists, instead, consistently document the neglect and abandonment of youth of color in America's devastated inner-city landscapes…

Starlight..Starbright..In Search of Madonna

Starlight, Star bright (In Search of Madonna)

by T. Semakula

Looking for Madonna

Do you remember Madonna? She was the material girl that kicked it in thrift store clothes, lace hand gloves with the cut out fingers, mismatch earrings, and a fake mole. She was the one that sashayed across the stage in her lace drawers, worn out Doctor Martins, and a bullet bra. I remember Madonna, she had me hooked when she belted out Borderline and showed any respectful black girl how to wax poetic to an R&B cut. She was the New Yorker that was from upstate, an undercover Italian who was too cool for her hometown. She was soo fly that the diehard urban Nuyoricans claimed her as the queen of the city.

Looking in the Music

Can you find Madonna in the music?

Madonna has been traipsing around on a
new tour, selling out tickets, and performing in front of record crowds. There have been crumbs, to say the least, only memories of the Madge’s hey day. In order to bring her sound back to the forefront, she has partnered up with Pharrell of the Neptunes and has even returned to the street rebel R&B that put her on the map. I ain’t gonna lie, there has yet to be a hit that comes up to the standard of Holiday, and her anthem Papa Don’t Preach, would barely make a teen these days gasp with surprise.

So where is she?

It would be an insult to say that she has popped up inside the guises of Lady Gaga. Any diehard Madonna fan, would be quick to say that there is no comparison. Lady Gaga, the new Madonna? Yeah right. Madonna News states that Madonna has sued her number one competitor, Lady Gaga, for plagiarism for the song ‘Alexander’ similar to her hit’ Like a Prayer’. Lady Gaga says her intention was from the outset, to pay tribute to Madonna. Lady Gaga has been prancing around in all these ultra rebel costumes that are truly one of a kind creations. Madonna started out in dollar store scraps and made the look the desired outfit for most teenage girls during the mid –eighties. Plus, what is up with all that blood spilling out all over Gaga’s clothes during her performances, yuck!

I think I found her

Of course, Madonna has made her appearance as the somewhat laidback twice divorced mother of two. She has settled in to being an icon who has influenced many new performers who are willing to slap the word rebel on their foreheads. Sometimes I think I catch of glimpse of Madonna disguised as the confused artsy types who refused to give up their outdated army boots, crop tops, and leather spiked hand bracelets. These types consider the thrift store a new form of Macys and are committed to shoving up against the status quo. All things that Madonna stood for (freedom, expression, opportunity) seem to be available to those who are willing to seek it out. So I guess now, some of us are living Madonna. We don’t need to find her, she has found us. She is inside our hearts. She is living inside our dreams. She is there, the working class chica from upstate who made her dreams come true, once she hit the big city. She will never be lost. Never.

MADONNA Here

by MTK 6/11/2010

Came on the scene
“Like a Virgin”
For the very 1st time
Lighting up the stage

And her Fans
And the World (2X)

Was in Awe. . .

Then she became the –
“Material Girl”
Dancing to the Beat
We all fell for Her - -
Oh, So Sweetly. . .

“And the Beat goes On”. . .

As the years passes
As she grew - - Caring
For all the Children in this
World of Chaos & Confusion

Made a Home – Taking
Care of those in Need
Raising her Children with,
Joy and Loving Care. . .

Madonna, Madonna, Madonna

We Love, We Respect you always
For your spirit lighted the Path of Love
For All to Feel – To Know – To See
Nurturing the Children of this Earth. . .

Thank you

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