A Catalyst for Positive Change Workshops educates inner city children about human rights. Sponsored by Dallas Tennis Association's National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL.) Founded by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder, the NJTL organization helps children nationwide. The Needed Influence of the Arts (NIA) grew out of Ashe’s legacy. This year NJTL and NIA have joined forces with CitySquare to bring art and human rights issues to the Roseland Homes Community Center. CitySquare is an organization that helps fight root causes of poverty in Dallas. CitySquare is a strong partner for Arthur Ashe’s dreams of raising well-educated world citizens and leaders in all our communities.
A Catalyst for Positive Change Workshop teaches students about important social issues through art. Graphic novels are proving to be a valuable multi-sensory tool by using storytelling through cartoon art and writing. This year’s workshop features the upcoming graphic novel “Modern Day Slavery” illustrated by cartoon artist and political activist Keith Douglas. A character in the graphic novel, Dallas historian Jesse James Arnold, will be a guest speaker. Arnold is a future inductee into the Dallas African American Museum Hall of Fame.
North Texas Filmmaker Todd Kent will be in the audience as the NIA shares a trailer from his award-winning documentary: “Comic Book Literacy.” Through interviews with important comic book legends like Art Spiegelman, Jim Salicrup and Joe Quesada, the film details the history of the medium. The documentary describes the importance of incorporating the graphic novels in today’s classes. “Comic Book Literacy” premieres at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) on February 26, 2011 in the Horchow Auditorium. The children who participate in the cartoon workshop will have their art shown in a PowerPoint presentation at the DMA.
Last year NIA hosted an Interactive Cartoon Workshop for Dallas inner city children. Guest speakers were Keith Douglas, Dallas historian Jesse James Arnold, Santino Athian who is featured in the graphic novel, “Echoes of the Lost Boys of Sudan,” and Given Kachepa a former victim of human trafficking in America. The children were moved by their descriptions of events happening around the world and of modern day human trafficking and slavery in America. Human rights activists are working tirelessly behind the scenes to educate future generations about violations.
Speaking out against human rights abuses empowers children and they will be a catalyst for positive change.
Graphic novels help children and adults love reading and learning.
A Catalyst for Positive Change Workshop
Time: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Date: December 4, 2010
Location: Roseland Homes Community Center
3535 Munger, Dallas, TX 75204
Contact: James Disco 972.213.7869
The Interactive Cartoon Workshop with slideshow
Arthur Ashes’ tennis program helps kids stay in school: slideshow
The Slave Next Door exposes slavery in America today
National Junior Tennis & Learning
African American Museum Dallas
Dallas Museum of Art
Comments
You write about the most interesting things..... Makes me want to visit Dallas!
What a neat way to get involved in Art & Human Rights!
good idea to teach kids about these important issues!
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