MA Middle school Creates mural & Art Book To Benefit AHC
We received an amazing art book called "Be The Change," and a $100 donation from the Dover-Sherborn Middle School all the way out in Massachusetts!
We are so humbled honored to know that our work is able to inspire artists and youth, all the way from the Bay to MA! The book shows pictures of art and a temporary mural that was inspired by our Oakland Superheroes Mural Project.
Here is a note from Dover-Sherborn Middle School's visual arts teacher, Cathy Simino.
"Dear members of the Oakland Super Hero Mural Project, after learning about your fantastic community art program, our students at Dover-Sherborn, MA Middle School were inspired to create their own temporary mural to promote peace. We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Ramos. Our heartfelt condolences g out to you. please accept our small donation and a copy of our book we created in support of all you are doing."
The book was featured at Dover-Sherborn Middle Schools annual arts festival.
The event featured visual art displays, poetry readings, and performances from the middle school's jazz bands, and several small breakout vocal groups. The event was featured an article which you can read in full here.
On Monday, June 6, the Dover-Sherborn Middle School held its annual “Arts Festival.” The event featured visual art displays, poetry readings, and performances from the middle school’s jazz bands, and several small breakout vocal groups. In addition, there was a student-led fundraising initiative from the Community Action Group’s Empty Bowls, which featured hand-made ceramic cups filled with lemonade and iced tea for a $10 donation. All proceeds went to Project Bread, which helps with community-based solutions, health center programs for children and adults, community supported agriculture, school breakfasts, chefs in schools, chefs in Head Start, and building sustainable food systems and informing public policy.
In addition, “Be the Change,” a book that was created to benefit the Oakland Superheroes Mural Project, was on sale for $20. A few of the books, which showcase much of the middle school’s art from this year and quotes from famous people and D-S Middle School students, is still available. To purchase a copy, email Cathy Simino at siminoc@doversherborn.org.
We need your help
Our impact at home and abroad is possible because of your support.
Please consider making a donation today, or purchasing tickets to our
27th Anniversary Gala: The Art of Building Legacy.
#SelfAsSuperHero Feature: "Pooky the Hate Destroyer"
Every year, we team up with 100's of Oakland Youth and ask them to re-imagine themselves as superheroes with powers to transform their community. The result is a colorful art exhibition that provides a creative platform for Oakland families, artists, and youth to come together through a journey of discovery, self-exploration and community empowerment.
Since July 21st, select pieces created by our ArtEsteem students have been on exhibit at Flax's Art & Design store in Oakland. The life-sized portraits are for sale, with 50% of the proceeds going directly to the student artists, and the other 50% going towards the future work of ArtEsteem.
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Pooky the Hate Destroyer, uses his "Hate GPS" to overcome fear & destroy hate all over the world.
Pooky the Hate Destroyer, Tomme Lee, 2016
One day, Pooky The Hate Destroyer appeared out of nowhere in the streets. He felt afraid of everything that was moving. A stranger eyed him like Pooky was an alien. Pooky felt nervous because he thought he did something wrong already. One thing he saw while he was walking was there was a lot of hate going on. He saw a fight and tried to stop it. The “arguers” were arguing about who crashed into who's car. He had gotten pushed out of the conversation and failed trying to stop the fight. Zeus the Sky Heaven saw what Pooky did and decided Pooky was a special person. Zeus hid two items called the “hate GPS” and the “hate destroyer.” Pooky traveled through the world and found those items. When he found them he decided his destiny was to destroy hate. A hero was born. As Pooky was traveling, he overcame fear and destroyed hate all over the world.
Tommy Lee
Pooky the Hate Destroyer
6th Grade
Willie Brown Middle School
2016
Come see Pooky the Hate Destroyer, meet our student-artist Tommy Lee, and so much more as we celebrate another successful art exhibition at the Closing Reception of our #SelfAsSuperHero Exhibit: "The Bravery of Love & Legacy," on Saturday, October 1st from 1pm - 3pm at FLAX Art & Design!
RSVP HERE: HTTP://CONTA.CC/2BROJCB
Our Summer 2016 Newsletter is here!
It's been a very busy, but fruitful and exciting summer!
We've got some updates for you, and new things to look out for.
Click here to view our newsletter! http://conta.cc/2ccSoJ5
Back to School is Here!
The 2016-2017 school year is fast approaching, and we are gearing up for our in-school and after-school Art Enrichment and Education programs, for both students and teachers. Our classes offer lessons in Visual and Cultural Art, that combine Attitudinal Healing concepts in an art integrated curriculum linked to Common Core.
We will begin this academic year serving 11 Oakland and 4 San Francisco Schools, including:
- Hoover Elementary
- Lafayette Elementary
- Martin Luther King Elementary
- Carl B. Munk Elementary
- Laurel Elementary School
- Howard Elementary School
- West Oakland Middle school
- Frick Impact Academy
- Westlake Middle School
- Street Academy
- Oakland Tech High School
- Malcolm X Elementary (SF)
- Carver Elementary (SF)
- Willie Brown Middle School (SF)
- Thurgood Marshall Academic Highschool (SF)
Since 1995, ArtEsteem’s Art and Literacy programs have impacted thousands of students in schools throughout the Bay Area. By offering art classes to under-funded schools, ArtEsteem is able to address the impacts of socioeconomic conditions that negatively impact academic and personal achievement of our youth.
A Special Goodbye from Erica Wheeler-Dubin
It is with sadness that we announce departure of Erica Wheeler-Dubin, our ArtEsteem Program Manager. Erica has worked with AHC for the past 5 years, and brought an amazing energy and passion to our ArtEsteem program. We wish Erica the best of wishes as she works towards her dreams of becoming a Counseling Psychologist!
Erica Wheeler-Dubin, ArtEsteem Program Manager
My journey with AHC began in December 2011 when a friend asked me to volunteer and phone bank for the 13th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. I sat in the front room diligently working through the call list, with nearly 20 djembe drums and student artwork holding the space. At the time, I knew very little of the powerful connections I would make and profound impact the people and vision would have on me in the following years. However, in that moment, I felt driven, with a purpose and also at home.
Throughout my time, AHC has supported my other passion, playing soccer. I was able to travel to play professionally in Sweden and Italy and still return to AHC to pick up where I had left off. Right now, life has pulled me in another direction yet again, but this time to play footvolley (a popular sport in Brazil) that will be in the Olympics for the first time this August, as well as returning to school which will further my dream of becoming a Counseling Psychologist. Afterwards (and perhaps during), I hope to contribute again with a new set of skills to the AHC and Oakland community that has proven itself to be one of the most passionate, diverse, open-hearted and minded, determined, wise, and deeply rooted groups of people that I have ever known in my young life.
AHC's work is direly needed for everyone: youth and their families, artists, educators, residents, law enforcers, policy makers, the community and the world, especially in the midst of a rapidly changing Bay Area. The time and effort put forth that is necessary to develop and empower young people and their families that are systemically oppressed by the powers that be, work that AHC has done over the past 27 years, is gravely underestimated. The vision and dream to make AHC's work forever sustainable is truly made possible through the support of individuals who believe in the transformative power of art, community building, and nonviolent communication.
I am deeply grateful and blessed to have played a part.
"Since love is eternal, change need not be viewed as fearful"
-Erica Wheeler-Dubin
AHC to receive Community Peace Award
Our 4th award this year! We are excited to announce that on September 26th, Attitudinal Healing Connection will be the recipient of the 2016 Community Peace Award. Each year, the State of the 18th Assembly District holds an Address and Awards event, to recognize and celebrate the diversity, generosity, and contributions of individuals and organizations in the 18th Assembly District (which include Alameda, Oakland and San Leandro).
There are 12 categories of awards which include, Woman of the Year, Veteran of the Year, Community Advocates of the Year, and Outstanding Organizations of the Year.
This year, Assemblymember Rob Bonta will present AHC with the Community Peace Award, in recognition of our critical work that empowers the community to reject violence, and work together to bring healing through art, music, and other forms of creative expression.
AHC voted Best of East Bay 2016-Best Arts Nonprofit
The votes are in and we have been nominated for another fantastic award. Attitudinal Healing Connection was voted Best Arts Nonprofit by East Bay Express: Best of the East Bay 2016 – Arts & Culture Writers' Picks.
Voting took place by the people and so this award is especially important to us as our commitment is to the community of Oakland. "It's always humbling and validating for our years of hard efforts to be acknowledged. Thanks so much East Bay Express!!! We are incredibly thankful!" Amana Harris, AHC Executive Director.
But we will not pause to bask in these acknowledgments as there is a lot of work to do. We will continue to work hard to give our community the opportunities they deserve and teach love and peace through art. In fact, we are in the process of working on the 5th Oakland Super Heros Art mural project. The third grade class of Hoover Elementary school worked proudly to create their superheros/sheros which will be the inspiration of Art Director David Burke’s newest mural design. David will present his proposed mural drawing to the entire Hoover Elementary school for their feedback before deciding on the final design. The location of this mural is very special as it will be painted across from the West Street underpass mural that is dedicated to AHC art and friend, Antonio Ramos.
Hoover Elementary School's Oakland Super Hero Mural Project
We need your help and there are so many ways to get involved. Join us for our Gala Fundraiser on November 5, 2016, at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant. For more information, go to our Gala Page. Become a monthly donor, sponsor of our Gala or the 5th Oakland Super Heroes Mural Project or consider volunteering!
AHC is presented the "Secret Sauce Award"
On June 23, 2016 Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf awarded Attitudinal Healing Connection with the *Secret Sauce Award at the Chamber's 111th Annual Meeting and Awards Lunch. Each year the Chamber of Commerce holds their annual awards luncheon to both celebrate the Chamber and its members but also to honor those in the Oakland community whose work has set them apart. They give awards in a variety of categories including seven other award winners were announced: the Golden State Warriors (Oakland on the Map Award), Kaiser Permanente (Deep Roots), Give Something Back Office Supplies (Community Catalyst), Children's Fairyland (Heart of Oakland), as well as two winners for the Tech Oakland Award— Pandora and Clef.
AHC received the *Secret Sauce Award specifically for our work on the Oakland Super Heroes Mural (OSH) Project, a project that engages youth in community issues and solutions through the power of public art.
Major Libby Schaaf with Kokomon and Amana after everyone received a Special Sauce award
*The Secret Sauce Award: We all know it’s hard to put into words what exactly makes Oakland so special. This award honors an organization or individual who contributes to what Mayor Schaaf likes to refer to as Oakland’s “Secret Sauce” – that unquantifiable and unique ingredient to Oakland’s allure. Mayor Schaaf talked about Oakland having a gritty authenticity that makes Oakland resilient and strong. She mentioned Oakland’s love, pride and inclusive nature for diversity. The Major talked about the artist community and the incredible cultural vitality that no other city has and she mentioned the working class groups that gives the city a refreshing authenticity. Finally she highlighted Oakland’s progressive values, our long term commitment to social justice and fairness and what is right.
Amana Harris and Kokomon Clottey, accepted the award on behalf of AHC to a standing crowd. In her acceptance speech, Amana talked about the work that the citizens of Oakland need to do to invest in their fine city and more importantly, in the people. “There is a lot of work to do and it takes every single one of us to make sure we cultivate a world that we want our children to grow up in… I love this city. This is a great day for Oakland and for the Attitudinal Healing Connection.”
Kokomon followed Amana’s inspiration speech with presenting the Mayor with a bottle of secret sauce that he created with love and grace from Ghana, West Africa.
Kokomon Presenting Major Schaaf
We are honored to accept this award as we are proud to exemplify all the characteristics Mayor Schaaf described when talking about the unique qualities of Oakland. As we continue to work to make positive changes to our community, we need your help. Please consider attending or sponsoring our Gala on November 5th. For more information go to http://bit.ly/AHCgala2016
National Leadership Institute 10th Cohort Graduation Recap
After completing a 12-week Oakland Housing Authority (OHA)-sponsored course, designed and facilitated by AHC, we are happy to congratulate the Tenth Graduating Class of The Neighborhood Leadership Institute (NLI)!
"The Bravery of Love and Legacy" 2016 Exhibition Recap
Thank you to all who came and enjoyed some of the wonderful art produced by Bay Area students taking part int ArtEsteem's Self As Super Hero curriculum!
On Saturday, May 28th, hundreds of people perused the walls of Warehouse 416 to see powerful art pieces by out children and youth. Paintings, masks, jewelry, sculptures were on display and for sale to the public. Students joined Kokomon Clottey on stage and exhibited a Mindful Drumming session.
The event is the culmination of a school-year's worth of effort by Bay Area students and we are proud to have had it on display. Hundreds of people came in and out of Warehouse 416 and admired the powerful pieces we were proud to exhibit.