Fulfilling the Dream
Saturday's Art Expo is Now FREE; Inside Scoop on Preparations; and 60-Second Short Videos of Artists
The last two weeks have been a flurry of activity. Tomorrow, Saturday, September 28th, is the big day! The World Through My Eyes International Young Artist Expo is here!
And, it’s now FREE!
ZOOM LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5655167416
Just prior to 12 noon Eastern Standard Time, I’ll be firing up the Zoom room while friends and family from across the world will virtually shuffle in and take their seats.
The Preparation Was No Small Feat
This is my second virtual art expo (the first was June 1, 2024) and my first to span three countries and two continents. For me, though, it’s been relatively easy to set up. The most challenging aspect has been outreach and coordination.
For the most part, our three young artists in Lowell, Massachusetts (USA), have also had an easy time preparing. They will be presenting from the Refuge Art School studio at Western Ave Lofts using their own tripods and cameras.
But, 8,000 miles away, the young refugee artists of Nakivale Young Talent Community in Uganda and the Kibera Slum artists of Future Within CBO in Nairobi, Kenya, have had to go to great lengths to prepare for this event.
Tackling Technical Obstacles
In both the Nakivale Refugee Settlement (Uganda) and Kibera Slums (Kenya), power is unstable and unpredictable, internet data bundles are expensive, and technology to stream live is limited.
In Kibera Slums, infrastructure of all sorts is lacking or informal and in disrepair. There tend to be black outs during peak usage in the evening. To avoid any disruption to the Expo which will be 7 pm Nairobi time, Future Within CBO has rented a lithium battery which will serve as a backup energy source for lights and laptops. While a generator could have worked in another setting, Kibera Slums is so densely populated and congested that a generator would not only have to be right outside the door to the studio (and therefore interrupt the expo with its noise) but it would be vulnerable to theft. So, a lithium battery was the choice.
In the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda, the young artists of Nakivale Young Talent Community have hired a local videographer to provide the necessary technology - laptop, cameras, mics, and lights. Data plans have been purchased to make sure they can stream the event. Friends who have emigrated to other countries have been invited.
And, thankfully their young founder/director - Akon Deograce - who was just a week ago battling for his life in a hospital from a severe case of Typhoid will be at the helm MC’ing the event locally.
Virtual & Live Audiences!
While we will have audience members from multiple time zones (except probably for Australia!), we will also have a local live audience in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. In addition to testing their mics and cameras, setting up the generator to keep the lights and cameras working, and practicing their presentations, the NYTC artists are also preparing donuts and refreshments for in-person audience members.
That’s right! Thanks to the Nakivale Young Talent Community (NYTC) Art Education Center, there is enough room to host the parents of the presenting artists. This is a “never before” event for these artists. And the excitement is palpable.
This banner was a gift from the local refugee videographer and will be used as a backdrop for pictures with artists and parents.
60-Second Short Artist Cameos
This year has been the year of Canva. I can now make a 60 second reel with music! Here are the shorts I’ve been making to uplift the stories, voices, and art of each artist. Enjoy!
Art Auction
To help raise funds for NYTC and Future Within CBO to purchase art materials and supplies for their ongoing free arts education programming that benefits collectively over 100 children and youth, we are holding an art auction on GiveButter!
While we originally contemplated closing bids on September 30th, we will extend another week to give Expo audience members a chance to bid. Starting bids range from $50 to $100.
Peruse the beautiful art! And, bid! Shipping costs are included in the bid price to make it EASY for YOU! There is art from both Kibera Slums and Nakivale artists.
Please Join Us Saturday
I’m definitely biased, but this is a unique event and not to be missed! [Although it will be recorded and streamed live!] Just like writers are encouraged to write the book they want to read, I created an event I want to participate in. This is a dream come true for all of us!
If you are unable to attend, but want to support this effort (which I am supporting 100% out of my own pocket), you can donate to the Ko-Fi page that I set up for the event (and that I manage).
I won’t retain any funds. I’m sending 100% of ticket proceeds and donations to their ultimate destination - to the two organizations that need it the most.
Proceeds will be shared equally to purchase paints, materials and other supplies between the Kibera and Nakivale arts organizations that are sponsoring the artists’ participation:
Future Within CBO, Kibera Slums, Kenya
Nakivale Young Talent Community, Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda
ReCap on the Event!
The event will be online via Zoom. And is now free! The formal program is two hours long. We’ll leave the Zoom room open for a post-event reception and discussion.
ZOOM LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5655167416
More details:
Event sponsors: RainMaker Design, The Creative Convergence, Future Within CBO, Nakivale Young Talent Community, Stand Up For Justice, Supporting Dreams Project, GoGreen Social Initiative, Refuge Art School, and
International.Thank you!
What an enormous undertaking, Emily--especially from a distance. Hoping everything goes well and power and connections all stay on/up.