| THE
LEARNING
CENTER KIDS |
 "The
Learning
Center Kids" is the community outreach operation that provides local youth
weekly hands
on Visual Art Workshops, in drawing, painting, sculpturing and fabric design as
well as arts and crafts. Arts instruction is provided to anywhere from 15 - 50
youth weekly ranging
from ages 4 -16 yrs old. It is a community building, family project. Since the
early 1990s, Charles Gillam, the program's founder and current Executive Director,
uses it as a community transformation tool. With it he helped to eliminate drug
trafficking by driving off criminals and encouraging the remaining young men and
children to participate in Arts and Craft activities.
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ARTIST
GUILD |
According to the
The Folk Art Zone's Bylaws Goal #3, is " To enrich the folk art tradition
by collaborating with other folk artists. " Master wood carver, Charles
Gillam and his organization is putting in place resources to assist other local
folk artist in various capacities. Gillam's Sculpture Garden is a community
venue that serves as a showcase for these artist's works. Getting exposure
for
folk artists, many of whom my not be as well know as Mr. Gillam, is a high priority.
Financial gain from the sale of their artwork is a practical benefit for them.
Future plans include providing health insurance and workspaces.
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guest book
Copyright © 2004,
website management, design
21st
Century Computing ,
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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Step into the
House of Bluesmen and ghosts line the walls, all these faces in
conrete. Robert Johnson, the haunted man from the Delta. |
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Board members lead tour of museum w/ Gulf Summit members |
Professor Longhair. Roosevelt
Sykes, with his trademark cigar clenched between his teeth. The piano prince
James Booker, one eye in a patch. W. C. Handy, father of the Blues. Smiley
Lewis. Another bust features Gatemouth Brown. Another, the cosmic Ernie K-Doe.
Come visit, call 504-398-0321 or 504-376-8666 to arrange a tour.
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MISSION & GOALS |
Our mission is to create, preserve, promote and develop African American folk art and culture. Our aim is to educate African Americans about their vast cultural heritage and foster a spirit of awareness that involves local youth and communities throughout the South and the U.S. To achieve this we have adopted several Goals:
1. To create an apprenticeship program for neighboring minority youth.
2. Create a folk art sculpture garden.
3. To enrich the folk art tradition by collaborating with other folk artists.
4. To create a folk art museum.
5. To provide information and research in the exhibiting and marketing of folk art.
6. To promote public awareness and appreciation for the creative expressions of African American folk artist.
7. To foster research and documentation on African American folk art history and aesthetics.
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Folk Art Environments: Dr. Charles Smith.
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