Long Term Project Report Community Art Project: Healthy Communities, Healthy Selves ... ·...
Transcript of Long Term Project Report Community Art Project: Healthy Communities, Healthy Selves ... ·...
Long Term Project Report
Community Art Project: Healthy Communities, Healthy Selves
HIPS 906 H Street NE, Washington DC 20002
20152016 Team DC
Art Opening: June 1st, 2016
Table of Contents
Abstract 2
History of the Project 3
Service Learning 4
Civic Engagement 5
Action Plan 6
Wrap Up 9
References 11
Media Hits 11
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Abstract
For our LTP, we coordinated a community art project in which clients from a majority of our host sites
produced original work around the theme of “Healthy Selves, Healthy Communities” and participated
in an art show at the new HIPS dropin center. Additionally, we facilitated the installation of a mural in
the HIPS dropin center centered on the same theme, and collaborated with a HIPS client who
undertook responsibility for the mural’s production. The goal of our project was to provide a platform
in which the stories and perspectives of individuals generally silenced and disenfranchised in
American society could be shared through art, provide an opportunity to build new ties in the
community, and destigmatize HIV/AIDS. We recruited a HIPS client, who is also a trans woman of
color, to design and execute the mural, so that the project would be not only created for the HIPS
client population, but by the client population as well. Her mural represents a voice and perspective
familiar to the individuals that frequent the HIPS dropin center, was designed with input from HIPS
community focus groups, and lends a sense of ownership to the space.
In addition to coordinating and assisting with the painting of the mural, we encouraged clients at our
host agencies to contribute their own artwork to our art opening event. These pieces added
dimension to the discourse generated by the mural and introduced the voices of different identities
affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. By adding voices from different groups to the art show, we sought
to create a platform for the individuals we serve to tell their stories themselves.
We hosted an unveiling event of the completed mural and artwork at the HIPS office during the first
fifth day of June. We displayed 21 works of art created by clients from five host sites (N Street Village,
La Clinica del Pueblo, Latin American Youth Center, Whitman Walker Youth Services, and Joseph’s
House) in addition to the mural. The event was attended by approximately sixty people.
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History of the Project
Reflecting on our year of service as a team, the individuals we have met, the stories we have
heard, and the experiences we have shared, we decided to focus our LTP on community engagement,
reflection, and expression. We believe that personal expression was the most common need and
shared desire across all the organizations we serve. From our discussions throughout the year we
have truly seen how members of the community have unique experiences that have made them into
the strong, resilient, and hopeful people they are today. With these goals in mind we wanted the LTP
to allow members in all of our organizations share their individual and shared experiences through
art. We chose HIPS as the central organization of our LTP because the renovations to their dropin day
center space and their desire for clients to partake in the artistic design of the space seemed to align
perfectly with our goals. At HIPS we supported in the creation of a mural, designed by a HIPS client
with input from other HIPS clients, that reflects HIPS history, goals, philosophy and aspects of
individual clients. The mural will respond to the question, “what do you love about yourself?” The
target audience for this project includes HIPS clients, such as sex workers and injecting drug users,
who not only view the mural, but are involved in the design. It will also be viewed by community
members who enter the space, allowing individuals to both relate and reflect on the image portrayed
and feel a sense of community. Additionally, we will organize an unveiling event at HIPS, which will
incorporate art created at other host agencies where the team serves. Art made at other host
agencies will be designed by clients. The unifying theme for the artwork across all agencies will be that
the art responds to the question, “what makes a healthy self and healthy community?” We believe
that the creation of smaller art pieces at other agencies is intended to be a therapeutic process,
benefitting clients in that way, as well as them having a new pie of art to display in their space.
Overall, we believe that this project allows individuals the chance to have a voice through art, in which
they can engage with others in their community, share their history, learn from and support one
another, look positively towards the future and build a stronger community.
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Service Learning
Below are some of the learning goals of our team:
● Strengthening our skills in organizing, networking, outreach and fundraising
● Supporting artistic expression of our clients
● Promoting a safe, open, and welcoming space to share one's experiences
● Communicating within and outside our organization about our project
● How to timeline, troubleshoot, and successfully carry out a complex project
We believe that we have met these goals as a team. As a team, we have strengthened our ability to
communicate and manage a project effectively. We have also built on our teamwork skills both within
our AmeriCorps team and within our organization, other organizations, and the wider community.
We also gained skills in meeting deadlines, thinking creatively and practically and supporting our
clients in a more personal manner.
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Civic Engagement
This project most closely involved the HIPS community, but also brought in clients and
participants from nearly all of our partner organizations. We participated in the actual painting of the
mural at HIPS, which gave us the opportunity to meet many of the HIPS staff and clients, and work
closely with Ameirah. The design came from Ameirah who was a representative of the HIPS
community. Our team brainstormed to come up with the theme, “healthy self, healthy community”
but left room for creativity and selfexpression. Clients from several of our partner organizations were
invited to create smaller pieces under the same theme, culminating in an exhibition at HIPS to unveil
the mural and giving people a chance to showcase their work. We came up with the theme to guide
the art, fund raised for the art materials and event planning, but the creative process came from
community members. We felt the mural and artwork would be most impactful if it was created by,
and fully representative, of communities who are not often represented or visible. The project was
not about our notions of health and community, but rather sought to engage members of the
communities we served this year.
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Action Plan
1. General Brainstorm Process:
a. Starting in January, the team discussed projects we might be interested in and that we
could feasibly complete in the given time frame. We spoke with Channing about what
teams have done in the past, what has been successful and not successful, how to
approach fundraising, and possible organizations to partner with.
2. Exploration Phase:
a. We settled on two ideas and, in two groups, did more detailed planning to determine
what steps were needed, including proposed budget, general time frame and
development of the project, and possible partner organizations. This was perhaps not
the most efficient way to plan, because we spent two weeks investing some time and
energy in different ideas, but it also gave us flexibility to pick the project that was
ultimately the best for this year. We finally selected one, the HIPS mural, and brought
the proposal back to HIPS.
3. Planning and Budgeting:
a. The team shaped their planning and budget based on guidelines from the member
placed at HIPS. The member was our conduit to HIPS management, which approved
our proposal and budget, and to Ameirah, the HIPS client that painted the mural.
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4. Fundraising and Executing:
a. Our fundraising committee reached out to local bars, restaurants, and nonprofits for
possible happy hour fundraisers and other fundraising opportunities. We also created
a Crowdrise page, and shared the page widely within our personal friend and family
networks. The team dedicated parts of Fifth days throughout the late winter and early
spring to LTP meetings, where we divided into four separate committees to discuss
fundraising, event planning, budgeting, logistics/supplies acquisition. The remainder
of these meetings was spent together as a group of twelve, providing the entire group
with committee updates, resolving any issues, and setting goals for the next LTP
meeting.
b. The team dedicated an entire fifth day in early May to assisting Ameirah in the
painting of the mural, and finalizing details, flyers, and supplies needed for the art
show on June 1st.
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5. Final Event:
a. The LTP culminated in a successful art unveiling. We spent most of the day cleaning and
prepping the space at HIPS, buying and preparing the food and refreshments, and
designing the layout of the art show. There were two separate events in the day, the first
was during the open hours of HIPS, providing refreshments for clients, and the second
was after hours in the evening that was open to the public to view the mural and other
community art pieces. Ameirah introduced her artwork, and people were free to mingle,
look more closely at the artwork, and talk to the AmeriCorps team about their year of
service.
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Wrap Up
Personal Reflections from each member of Team DC:
“I really enjoyed being part of this creative process, helping with painting, and watching what
other people came up with to represent themselves, their communities, and health. I think art is a
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really powerful form of selfexpression and it felt like we got a really unique opportunity to share in
that.” Anna Persmark
“It was a really powerful experience brainstorming with the members of Joseph’s House about
what kind of art we would create for the show. Reflecting on what makes our community special and
then showcasing this at HIPS made everyone feel heard. Also, painting with at HIPS Ameriah was a fun
experience.” Trish Ike
“This event celebrated the new HIPS space and the clientele it serves in a unique and
communitycentered way. I learned so much about what it means to be black and trans in DC, and the
challenges those individuals face to not only access basic medical services, but in finding a community
space with their peers. Our LTP fostered and continues to promote this type of space in the HIPS
dropin center. Additionally, our team built a valuable connection with HIPS and its clientele,
providing valuable networks for future connections across organizations.” Tracy Shirey
“I was very moved when I asked one of the clients at N Street Village about what her inspiration was
for her artwork and she told me, “in thinking of what artwork to create for this project I thought
about where and what makes me feel safe, welcomed and allows me to express who I really am.” It
was great to be able to provide an opportunity for someone to reflect and depict their lives. Ashley
OdaiAfotey
“Working with Ameirah on the creative process behind the mural was such a rewarding experience.”
Sara DeLong
“Working on our LTP was a meaningful experience because it gave me a window into what health
means to our clients. Seeing clients from so many organizations come together to share their
perspectives and insights via art was incredible. The diversity of our clients was illuminated, but
perhaps more powerful was the continuity of humanity evident in the unanimous hope for peace,
love, and health.” Lily Gage
“HIPS does some amazing work for sex workers in DC, and we were fortunate to have the opportunity
to help make their dropin center a more welcoming and comfortable space for their clients.
Ameirah’s vision translated beautifully into a mural that reflected her own story and experience.”
Joe Schnitter
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“Working with clients to create artwork that reflects their thoughts on a health self and a healthy
community opened my mind to how personal definitions of health are based on whatever
circumstances you are living with. It was also a great experience working with Ameirah and assisting
her with the completion of the mural.” Leonardo Almanza
“Working with the clients at Food & Friends was a humbling experience because it provided for a
space for clients to talk about what it means to be healthy and their battle with fighting an illness and
getting healthy. Through the “Community Art Event” I facilitated to support our LTP, clients were able
to come and vent through art. This was an opportunity that they really appreciated because normally
they ‘don’t get out much.’ In the end, it felt good when we were able to put together all of the art
from various host sites alongside Ameirah’s work with the Mural.” Camille Washington
References
“The arts today can bring many benefits to the healing environment. They assist recovery, encourage
feelings of wellbeing and alleviate stress…They enrich the lives of patients, visitors, and staff through
their own involvement. They can develop closer links between the health services and the
community” (Senior and Marie)
Senior, Peter, and Patrice Marie. “Art, Culture and Health”. RSA Journal 146.5486 (1998): 98–103. Web.
Media Hits
Crowdrise Page https://www.crowdrise.com/hipsmuralandartexhibit
● Description We used this page to notify the larger community about our project and its goal
and gain funding support
Fundraising Event 1: Drag Bingo at Nellie’s https://www.facebook.com/events/186506778398290/
● Description We used this page to notify the larger community about our project and its goal
and gain funding support
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Fundraising Event 2: Happy Hour at Local 16
https://www.facebook.com/events/1762965403914957/
● Description We used this page to notify the larger community about our project and its goal
and gain funding support
Fundraising Event 3: Chipotle https://www.facebook.com/events/217267091995227/
● Description We used this page to notify the larger community about our project and its goal
and gain funding support
Headline on HIPS website home page http://www.hips.org/mural.html
● Description Americorps member at HIPS included a quote from the mural artist and
photographs of the completed mural on the new HIPS website.
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Online Flyer created by Sara DeLong to advertise our final art opening event
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