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Making a difference through art
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So, the economy stinks, huh? Well, let me ask you, what are you doing about it? If you're like most people (myself included, unfortunately) you're probably not doing much. Last November, I had what I thought was a great plan. I voted for Barack Obama, I then I was going to wait for him to fix it. It sure sounded like a great plan at the time.
Now, don't get me wrong. By no means have I lost my faith in our President. It has occurred to me, however, that he is but one man. And there is no way that one man can fix this problem all by his lonesome. Before being elected to the Presidency, Obama wrote a book entitled The Audacity of Hope. Now I'm not going to go into detail, (I'll save that for my colleague, Rhonda Campbell) but I want you to think about the title. How dare we think that things can get better? What can we do? We'll I'll tell you, there is plenty we can do. Take a break here and check out Rhonda's article about Philadelphia's public libraries. If you're anything like me, this will get your wheels turning...
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Good, you're back. So, how frightening is that? Can you imagine a city without libraries? Of course not. This brings us back to the question: what are we doing about it? I'm going to share with you an example of how people are helping. (I know I'm way off topic, but stick with me. I'll bring it back around directly.) Winslow Township is a quiet community in South Jersey. The Home and School Association came up with a little fundraiser called Yes We CAN. Essentially it is a food drive to help families in need. Christy Rutt of the HSA is coordinating this effort. I think she sums it up perfectly; "Originally I came up with this idea because Christmas and Thanksgiving are over, and people are still hungry". She is one person, and she is making a difference. This food drive was talked about on the front page of The Courier Post this morning. Anybody want to bet me that the donations don't increase substantially after a front page article.
Now,as promised, I'll relate this to our usual line of conversation. We all love art. If history has taught us anything, its that art has the ability to inspire. So I say let's do just that. Let's create inspiration in our communities. Maybe you paint, maybe you write, or maybe you create sculptures with paper clips. It doesn't matter. Contact your local church or youth center. Tell them you'd like to set up an art show as a fundraiser. Tell them you'd like to set up a painting workshop for the neighborhood kids because their school cut back the programs. Let's network with each other and set up some group events. Cristy Rutt did it, and now dozens of families are going to get much needed food. (Oh, and by the way, this is a great way for your work to gain exposure.) As artists, this is what we can do. This is what we should do. And I hope it is what we will do.
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