Pure Art Foundation Events

Pure Art in the News! Please read article

Last March we traveled with a group of 17 volunteers to Pucallpa, Peru. We will not stop Manifesting Today for a Better Tomorrow! Manisfesting Today for a Better Tomorrow – Journey with a Purpose

ONE with ONE initiative

Pure art is at the IPM 2011 in Prescott-Russell this week! Join us in “Cultivating Change” during the International Plowing Match by donating ONE dollar in this unique “One with One” initiative.  The goal is to collect ONE dollar from as many participants as possible to build ONE home in Peru. Help us in this collaborative effort to reach a worthy objective. One seed can start a crop….One dollar can make a difference!  You can donate on line, www.pureartfoundation.org or come and see us at the Theatre Pavilion in the Tent City.
Pure Art will be on site all week and present to delegates  on Friday,  September 23.

Be sure to take a look at the commemorative IPM 2011 Pure Art Fair Trade Tractor, hand crafted by artisans in Kenya from recycled materials. You will be shopping with a purpose, as all proceeds will flow to the Foundation project. The tractor available on line  at www.pureart.ca or in the Hudson Boutique at 422 Main Road!

Song writer Vivianne LaRiviere  and Pure Art Foundation collaborate to celebrate art in support of education.

Local spiritual arts practitioner, Vivianne LaRiviere has recently launched the ‘Tell me Life’ Initiative, in collaboration with the Pure Art Foundation.  The objective? To raise funds to bring her new song – Tell me Life – to radio and people around the world. In doing so, Vivianne is committed to donating a portion of sales to the Pure Art mission of insuring under privileged children attend school in remote corners of the planet.  In this initiative, the goal is to  raise enough money to place 12 Peruvian children to school next year.

Vivianne’s music, songs, and lyrics send a timely message out into the universe and touch the soul in a profound way.

We are grateful to welcome Vivianne in the ever widening circle of compassion and creativity in the community and thrilled to be able to participate in this journey. Her gift will surely be heard across continents and create a ripple effect through the Pure Art Foundation that will change the very lives of 12 young school children in a remote Amazonian town in Peru. Pure Art believes in the transformative power of art and we are honored to share in this collaborative experience, which combines Vivianne’s talents and the Pure Art “One School for All Initiative” . Through the celebration of such artistic endeavor flows the means to provide the seeds of education, a sustainable union of song and life.

We welcome you to support Viviannes  project and know that at the same time you are kindly contributing to the life song of children far away.
For those of you who would like to have a listen to Tell me Life and participate in the dance of life through song through this project, go to www.thesongroom.ca and simply click on the Tell Me Life Initiative.

Follow progress report – To date 6 children sponsored in the One School for All Initiative – Vivianne’s goal is to sponsor 12 children to attend school in Pucallpa, Peru. Congratulations Vivianne! Thank you to all who are supporting this wonderful and creative initiative.

More News – Take a moment to learn more about this unique initiative.

Singing for Social Justice

Melissa

The beautiful riverside grounds of Greenwood Centre for Living History came alive with the soothing sounds of native drumming, echoing across the Lake of Two Mountains to Oka on a perfect Saturday afternoon, August 20^th. All 25 participants of this special Pure Art Workshop were treated to a unique experience as Algonquin music and song drifted above the trees and saturated our souls with the healing ointment of traditional storytelling. Pure Art was proud to introduce Melissa Hammell, Algonquin Drummer and Storyteller who gently gathered the group in a traditional circle to share her own teachings.  Along with such teachings as the “medicine wheel” and “seven grandfathers”, her stories were sprinkled with the sounds of softly singing lullabies that engaged attendees of all ages. Best of all was an educative interactive session where everyone picked up their own drum or shaker to experience Algonquin song first hand. The setting could not have been more fitting as Greenwood offered guests guided tours of their “First Nation” Gallery, with its own very special link to this rich history. We are grateful for Melissa’s caring and authentic expression of traditional Native songs passed down from generation to generation which reminded us that “storytelling” is indeed an important tool of native healers. Thank You to everyone who took part in another unique Pure Art event and be sure to “Pass it on”!

Pure Art gratefully announces that proceeds from each workshop held to date, is sufficient to sponsor one child to attend school through the Pure Art Foundation “One School for All” program.

Check in later for an updated calendar of events for the next Pure Art Workshop, to be posted soon.

Meet the Maker Workshop # 2

Pure Art is very proud to report that the most recently held workshop in the informative “Meet the Maker “series  (entitled  “Something to Stitch About”) was not only a great success, but forged a new collaborative template for future.   A full house of attendees were treated to an engaging  presentation by Meredith Royds, who shared her unique  experience among  First Peoples Nations artists in the creation of purposeful quilt work. This event was an inspiring  follow-up to the previous “Needle Power” session presented by Pure Art earlier in the year.  Thank you to all those who gathered together for this sold out event at the beautiful Greenwood Center for Living History.  The setting could not have been better for a relaxing educative morning fully enjoyed by all.  Meredith’s  insightful slide show detailing a privileged  behind-the-scenes  view of the famous “Quilt of Belonging” was followed by a wonderful lunch on the Greenwood terrace overlooking the grounds and lake.  Simply picture-perfect!

Meridith Royds

Thank You to Meredith who carefully explained the fascinating geography of  Inuit imagery and explored the remarkable background of these talented artisans who represent such an integral part of our past, present and future. Indeed, the key to what lies ahead is dependent on education and Pure Art plans to do its part in not only celebrating the artists, but extending this experience to as many people as possible.

We are also delighted to announce that we will continue to collaborate with the fine people of Greenwood, who have agreed to open their incredible jewel of Hudson for future Meet the Maker events.

We are grateful for the invaluable assistance of Carol Outram for making these memorable hours together, a reality. Thank you also for the fine welcome to Greenwood by Audrey and her team. We are deeply encouraged by the feedback from all those who took time to attend and we look forward to seeing you next time!

Following the workshop Heidi visits the Pure Art boutique to Shop with a Purpose and leaves with a colorful sun hat supporting African artisans.

Marlene Joudry

PURE ART – May 10,  2011

The first Needle Power, a series of cultural net-working between PURE ART and Indigenous designers and artisans was a huge success.  MARLENE JOUDRY  was the first artist celebrated during the inaugural workshop of Meet the Maker – Needle Power that took place in Hudson, Quebec this week.  Marlene is  a well known Mi’Kmaq First Nation Artisan and cultural facilitator.  Although originally from Bear River First Nation, she now resides in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia.
Marlene grew up in a family of basket makers and was only introduced to the art of quill work twenty years ago.   She has never been without a quill since. Her line of products now includes boxes, jewellery and art pieces.  Her work has drawn interest from many people world wide. Marlene is also an educator passing on the teachings of the Mi’Kmaq culture – she travels to many different communities to facilitate workshops. In her workshops she combines traditional stories, spiritual connections, cultural techniques and a life-line for communication

“It is my strongest desire, that through my Porcupine Quill presentations and teachings, my people, especially my children, grand children, sisters, brothers, and now my many friends – that I help each one to gain an appreciation that will assist in the understanding and preservation of our Mi’Kmaq culture.” Marlene Joudry

The concept at the core of Needle Power workshops is the realization of  the power of the needle – a very simple tool with a point, a hook or an eye and the diversity of the products created with a simple needle.
The presentations are designed to restore your interest in the many talents the world has to offer, to encourage your own creative energies and to celebrate the work of artisans around the world involved in making their home environments a better place in which to live.

Needle Power - Working with porcupine quills

Example of Porcupine Quills Artwork

It is now one month from our return from Peru and we are proud to report that the Pure Art Peru 2011, was a wonderful success.
Thank you to all who volunteered and participated directly on site and to those who supported and followed the team on this journey.
Reaching beyond the original objectives of the trip, the team was not only able to help complete the primary objective of building the 7th Pure Art CAST house, but much more.
Inaugurating the 5th Pure Art fresh water well, meeting the Pure Art sponsored school children and their families, providing dry goods to those displaced by the flooded river, and visiting new families for future CAST homes, were a highlight of the experience which included the ground work for new projects to be announced soon. Please stay tuned.

In the meantime, we are very grateful to all the  Friends of Pure Art, who encourage and support our efforts to make a difference. We are truly Manifesting Today for a Better Tomorrow…together!
We especially would like to thank the Bracken family ( Robert, Debbie, Alex and Alyssa) who committed  to sponsor the entire construction of the most recent Pure Art home in Pucallpa, Peru. With the project complete, the Pure Art team met to celebrate the event in a special CAST reunion. Shown here are the Brackens, with a commemorative cake , donated to celebrate the family now living with dignity a world away, dry and safe, protected from the elements.

Youngest sponsor!

Also this same evening, a very special presentation was made to a young boy, 10 year old Blake Quellman who, upon learning of the Pure Art mission decided to make a difference on his own. Blake, on his own initiative, was moved by learning of the plight of children his age in Peru and asked his parents if he could sponsor a child to be able to attend school. Reaching into his own savings, Blake has become the youngest single  contributor to Pure Art’s Children’s Contribution program – “One School for All” in Peru. Thank You Blake for revealing how from pure hearts, “children helping children”, can make a difference a world away and bring renewed hope for generations to come. Shown here is  Blake at the April 16th Reunion, receiving acknowledgment of his pledge from the Pure Art team.

VIEW PHOTO GALLERY – of Pure Art CAST Team at work in Peru. Congratulations!

The Shipibo Initiative

The final day of our visit to this region of the Amazon begins with a meeting with  indigenous Shipibo women who arrived  to present their wares, many of which  would be destined for the Pure Art shop back home in Canada. Profits generated from the sale of these goods will be channeled directly  toward building a community centre in the village of Limo Gena near San Juan.  Working toward fulfilling our promise earlier this week when visiting the Shipibo community, we are one step closer to helping these hard working people achieve their dream of a more sustainable lifestyle in the jungle.

The spririt of these talented artists engaged in fair trade with Pure Art seemed instantly elevated by this commitment. Not only does the Shipibo initiative ensure just trade, it promises to provide long standing improvement in the management of their craft and inject hope their future. These Shipibo women, helping other Shipibo women, departed beaming with bright and warm smiles, and knew we would be back.

Off to the Human Rights office in central Pucallpa, the Pure Art team learned of the injustices that befall community members. A presentation by the sole local lawyer working tirelessly to defend the rights of the people here provides an eye-opening insight into the alarming cases of torture, and child disappearances, including human trafficking. We learn these are cases that are increasingly difficult to prosecute and pledge to provide what support we can to help alleviate these injustices that continue to plague the local people who already suffer in simply trying to survive from day to day, in often unbearable conditions.

Excited to see the completion of the prime objective of our trip to Pucallpa, the Pure Art team heads to the newest CAST  house construction site to view the final results of our weeks efforts. A memorable photograph (below) will stay with us for many years as we recall the experience of “Constructing  A Structure Today” for a family who was in desperate need. Below, see the full CAST team including the Peruvian construction workers who we worked along side with, and the family who stayed close to our progress each day, participating in the work, with gratitude and grace. In the end, another Pure Art house emerges in the slums of Pucallpa, and another family will soon go to sleep in a home they never could have dreamed was possible. We are reminded of the power of collaborating together of “Manifesting Today for a Better Tomorrow” !

This home was built through the generous donation from the Bracken family of St. Lazare, Quebec, Canada

Their own family photo  now hangs in the this Peruvian home, as a reminder of how the generosity of complete strangers oceans away, can bridge the gap of poverty and instill hope into seemingly hopeless situations.

The day comes to a close with a Pure Art celebration with the Mayor of Pucallpa, Guillermo C. Chino Mori, (centre) and Gerald Veilleux (far left) at a downtown local in Pucallpa. Here  the local press gathered to recognize the weeks work of Canadians who traveled here to make a difference in a remote area of Amazonia. The entire Pure Art Team was acknowledged in the Mayor’s speech, as he presented Pure Art Foundation with an official certificate of recognition.  We were all proud to be part of this special  moment and headed to the airport feeling that we had accomplished much, but knew that there was so much more to be done. We boarded the plane, each affected differently by the experience, but all united in our pledge to continue in some way to Manifest Today for a Bettter tomorrow!

PURE ART in the NEWS

Note from Pucallpa Mayor

Fresh Water for 51 families

Bringing Hope

Food for the families affected by the floods

Visit us at www.pureartfoundation.org and www.pureart.ca