"Children of Haiti" exhibition features "portrait days," puppet show and reception

From Clay Paper Scissors Gallery & Studios in Cheyenne:

Clay Paper Scissors has a lot going on this December, and we hope to see you come by at some point this month. We'll be open during Art Design & Dine from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8, and also on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Dec. 17 from 3-5 p.m. We are also open by appointment -- just call 307-631-6039 to set up a time.

We are featuring a show of portraits by Cheyenne artist Paula Egan-Wright called Children of Haiti. These wistful and winsome portraits are being sold as a fundraiser for the new Kay Lesli school for orphans in Haiti. Clay Paper Scissors is donating part of the commission on every piece sold from this show to the project. Additionally, we will be offering some items by local artists that will make great gifts for yourself or someone on your list! We have bright and useful tote bags, beautiful functional pottery, lovely seasonal cards and jewelry for yourself or that special someone. All these items are by Wyoming artists -- most local here in Cheyenne! Support your local artists for Christmas!

Paula Egan-Wright is offering a couple of opportunities to have your portrait -- or that of someone you love--done! Portraits are by donation with proceeds supporting the Kay Lesli school in Haiti. Paula will be available on a first come, first serve basis on Dec. 10 from 11:15-1 p.m. and on Dec. 17 from 3-5 p.m. These portraits make unique gifts for grandparents or a special someone. Bring your children or grandchildren down to sit!

On Dec. 10, Paula Egan-Wright and students will present a puppet show called "The Magic Orange Tree." This short show is a Haitain folktale that paints a portrait of life in Haiti, all the while  touching on several contemporary issues—superstition, the oppression of children, and the public responsibility for meeting the needs of children. The play features several Caribbean melodies and will be performed with puppets by seven dedicated students. It will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 10 and is open to the public. Donations benefiting the Kay Lesli school for orphans in Haiti will be gratefully accepted. 

On Dec. 17, 3-5 p.m., there will be an artist reception for Children of Haiti. Paula Egan-Wright will be there doing portraits for donations. These quick portraits make wonderful gifts -- anyone can sit, and all donations benefit the Kay Lesli school. In addition, the vocal trio Just Friends will sing a few syncopated melodies from the islands and some Christmas tunes to add to the ambiance. 

"Children of Haiti" exhibit opens Nov. 10 at Clay Paper Scissors

Clay Paper Scissors Gallery & Studio in Cheyenne presents "Children of Haiti," portraits by Paula Egan-Wright. It is a fundraiser for the Kai Lesli School for orphans in Haiti! Come by and see it during Art Design and Dine on Thursday, Nov. 10, 5-8 p.m.

Haitian artists featured at Clay Paper Scissors Gallery

From Clay Paper Scissors Gallery in Cheyenne:

Art Design and Dine is tomorrow night, April 14, from 5-8 p.m. This month Clay Paper Scissors has a wonderfully ethnic and eclectic show for you. The artwork here was done by Haitian artists in Port-au-Prince. The bright colors and busy scenes reflect the hustle and bustle of daily life in this poor Caribbean nation. Market life is central to Haiti, and everyone has something to barter. There will also be Haitian food to sample and wonderful Haitian music. Paula Egan-Wright will also be doing portraits for donations to Camp Taptap. Make sure you drop by to learn a little about Haitian culture, art and fun!

All money for works sold goes to financing “Camp Taptap”, a camp for approximately 200 orphaned children in the southern port of Les Cayes. The camp was modeled after Casper College’s KEY program (Knowledge Enrichment for Youth). In the summer of 2010, the first camp TAPTAP held two sessions, with 400 children participating. The second, in December 2010, offered a teacher training workshop in the early mornings, followed by a camp where children, mostly 5-10 years old, learned theater, music, writing, drawing, and watercolor.

Costs of running a camp include salaries for cooks ( who gather supplies, build fires, and cook lunch for 200+ people), stipend for counselors, who spend 24 hours a day with the children, supervising their bathing, sleeping, learning, and meal times, cost for food for three meals a day X 2 weeks X 200+ people, supplies for camp, medicines for sick kids at camp, transportation of cooks and other personnel to the camp site to and from the country. Paula Egan-Wright's goal for camp TAPTAP for the summer of 2011 is $6,000, She is also looking for an additional $2000 to provide supplies (textbooks, software, computers) for the teacher training Institute. Donations are welcome! Fundraising ideas are welcome!

Remember to also bring the Art Design and Dine flyer for stamping in order to get a coupon to Ruby Juice or Library Cafe. We also have them at the gallery if you are going to start your art walk with us that evening. The gallery is also open Fridays and Saturdays 1-5pm or by serendipity. We also have exciting new works being made by our resident artists, so stop on by for snacks and good conversation.

Hope to see you there!

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Original Haitian artwork on display at The Corridor Gallery

"The Art of Determination," a showing of original Haitian artwork, opens at 7 p.m. tonight at The Corridor Gallery, 120 E. Second St. in Casper. Proceeds from sales at the show will benefit Wyoming-based Haitian relief efforts. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

FMI: http://thecorridorgallery.com/

Arts world rallies for Haiti earthquake relief

From Cornelia Carey at Craft Emergency Relief Fund:

Dear Friends,

A new decade is upon us and it begins with the hard tragedy unfolding in Haiti. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families as well as those who are on the front lines of the relief efforts there.

A number of you have written looking for suggestions about where to send contributions and aid. Our friends at Artist Trust in Seattle have put together this
list of aid organizations helping in the relief efforts and this link to a New York Times article lists organizations providing aid. We will be back in touch with you if we have more suggestions to share with you.

In the meantime, please find a way to help out in this dire situation and please hold those in Haiti in your heart.

My best, Cornelia Carey