City of Art in Action - Sacramento, CA
I first launched my artistic career in New Zealand in 1976 after I abandoned formal art training and opted to learn the craft of painting landscapes by direct action -- capturing the beauty of the New Zealand wilderness on canvas. Today, more than 30 years later, I wanted to make a journey that would mark my re-emergence into the art world after two decades of global travels and social activism, and so I decided to capture the places, faces and homes of America on camera and on canvas through a national tour called Across the USA from the Eyes of an Artist. My focus today is on promoting art for change.
A key stop on the tour was Sacramento and much to my delight, I discovered that it was truly a city of art in action. Being the capital city of the Golden State made it the perfect venue to hold an open air painting lesson for young artists -- right on the lawn of the State Capitol Building. Not only was it a way to protest the slashing of state education funding for children and art, but the event also promoted art with a message and urged fellow artists and parents to help fill the void and use their talents and art for change regarding that situation. I also announced my new Art with a Message Online Gallery for Young Artists. The children's art from this session will be the first displayed in the gallery.
The tour began in Los Angeles and first traveled to the Grand Canyon before heading back through California and up the coast. The great northwest is next and then eastward. The tour has traveled 1000 miles to date with another 5000 to go and will culminate in New York City near the end of September.
I was fortunate to experience Sacramento's Second Saturday Art Walk. This is one of the most happening city art programs I have seen anywhere. The entire city, young and old, get behind it! It is very impressive.
In addition to recording the scenic beauty and people of America through photos and paintings created on the road and promoted through my Art with a Message Blog, I have kids art projects scheduled along the tour route to raise awareness for children and art education. I am partnered with Free Arts for Abused Children (http://www.freearts.org) to get that message across. Donations for the children of Free Arts can be accomplished at [http://www.leisacollins.com/loneliness.html].
A key stop on the tour was Sacramento and much to my delight, I discovered that it was truly a city of art in action. Being the capital city of the Golden State made it the perfect venue to hold an open air painting lesson for young artists -- right on the lawn of the State Capitol Building. Not only was it a way to protest the slashing of state education funding for children and art, but the event also promoted art with a message and urged fellow artists and parents to help fill the void and use their talents and art for change regarding that situation. I also announced my new Art with a Message Online Gallery for Young Artists. The children's art from this session will be the first displayed in the gallery.
The tour began in Los Angeles and first traveled to the Grand Canyon before heading back through California and up the coast. The great northwest is next and then eastward. The tour has traveled 1000 miles to date with another 5000 to go and will culminate in New York City near the end of September.
I was fortunate to experience Sacramento's Second Saturday Art Walk. This is one of the most happening city art programs I have seen anywhere. The entire city, young and old, get behind it! It is very impressive.
In addition to recording the scenic beauty and people of America through photos and paintings created on the road and promoted through my Art with a Message Blog, I have kids art projects scheduled along the tour route to raise awareness for children and art education. I am partnered with Free Arts for Abused Children (http://www.freearts.org) to get that message across. Donations for the children of Free Arts can be accomplished at [http://www.leisacollins.com/loneliness.html].
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