#citizenartist

[whoislauralee]

No #blm rally this week but I’m still continuing my portrait series...this time honoring beautiful introverted violinist Elijah McClain who was killed by police in Colorado last Summer when walking home from the store with iced tea, because he looked “suspicious” wearing an open face ski mask.🎻😿 It’s followed by his heartbreakingly dear last words, as well as some art process photos because for once I remembered to take them. ✍️💕 . . . #blacklivesmatter #elijahmcclain #justiceforelijahmcclain #sayhisname #saytheirnames #defundthepolice #portrait #indiaink #art #painting #lauraleegulledge #artivism #citizenartist https://www.instagram.com/p/CCMaKtclAHj/?igshid=wg2idd42a1mq

[hakimbe]

Coming to a conference near you! Go to https://www.positivepolicing.solutions to find out more. #CPLSummitWest #CreativePlacemaking #CitizenArtist https://www.instagram.com/p/BsJoNgPHEyI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=sndcf6aknlyz

[offendum]

This last (Gregorian) year brought forth a couple heartfelt music video projects, an opportunity to officiate a beautiful wedding in Andalusia, memorable residencies at universities + community colleges across the country, performances at iconic venues w/ live Arabic instrumental accompaniments, a @kennedycenter #CitizenArtist fellowship, and (most importantly) a deeper understanding of husbandry / fatherhood / poetry / life ... انشالله more ما شاء الله in 2019 ✨ https://www.instagram.com/p/BsHBwvVBxh6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1k8hq1tdrexst

[drmousumi]

War is Hell #nowar #peace #Graffiti #Wallart #cityart #cityspace #artforwall #fightforstreetart #transientart #newyork #newyorklive #newyorkgram #newyorkblog #cityartists #kobra #graffitiartists #citizenartists #artforpeace #favoritegraffitiartist (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0mc_9_AeEV/?igshid=dso5xaox4igw

[operateens]

Opera Teens and the Importance of Citizen Artistry

By: Sareen B., Capital Opera Teens; National Opera Teens Advisory Committee

CITIZEN ARTIST

The idea of a Citizen Artist has taken hold in our country, and I am happy to say that many people—on both sides of the political spectrum—still believe in its transformative power.

There are many Citizen Artist institutions and initiatives. To define these, for example, Yo-Yo Ma, the Citizen Artist Fellow of the Kennedy Center, said that “[Citizen Artists’ Initiatives] transcend technique in order to seek out the truths in our world in a way that gives meaning and sustenance to individuals and communities. The Kennedy Center Arts Summit put it most clearly, by stating that Citizen Artists’ initiatives are: “using the arts to influence positive change in people's lives.”

ART IS IMPORTANT FOR TEENS

As teens, we are still learning and still trying to find our place in society. We are forming our opinions and establishing our approach to life. It is therefore critical that we are exposed early and often to the transformative power of the arts.

And through the work of Citizen Artists, we can make sure teens are part of the arts world.

Many teens cannot afford to attend a live concert or opera performance. But, Citizen Artists work with organizations and institutions to support students and teens like my mom, who had to graduate college in three years to save money, obtain thousands of dollars in loans, and work while also a full-time student. A strong advocate for the arts now, my mom is grateful to this day to her college, Columbia, and to the arts organizations for the opportunities they gave her.

The idea then, is that exposure to art is life-changing and life-fulfilling.

MAKING ART—PARTICULARLY OPERA—ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

Citizen Artists help ensure that exposure to art is not limited to a select few. Understanding that there is a financial component to productions; that opera, for example, is truly expensive to produce, no matter what the scope of the production is, all Citizen Artists must work to bring together those who can and will support the arts with all of those who can benefit most from it.

To that end, our opera teens council Capital Opera Teens, supported by Opera America, finds opportunities for its members to attend operas that are either free or low-cost. The Kennedy Center Education Department has been incredible in giving us free passes to opera rehearsals, and other opera companies that we have contacted have also been helpful in our mission. The In Series Opera Company, for example, provided us with deeply discounted tickets last year. We have also been fortunate to have supporters in our community who have funded dinners for us and hosted us at locations in the DC area. And there is no membership fee of any kind to join.

I have dreams of bringing opera to everyone, all the time, so I have reached out to schools, music teachers, parents, and more. But it is a difficult road. Often, people are too busy to respond. But once they see the impact opera has on teens, they are moved.

So, as a teen Citizen Artist, I will not give up and will keep trying. Because as we say in our Capital Opera Teens motto: OPERA IS FOR EVERYONE.

[stickynotetoselfproject]

#stickynotetoself “How we live as citizens is our art form.” - Eric Liu of @citizenuniversity during the @kennedycenter #ArtsSummit Stay tuned for an all-new video reflection on this insight via #YouTube. — #artssummit #citizenartist #kencen #kennedycenter #citizenuniversity #denoted #stickynotetoself #artoftype #inspiration #stickynotes #stickynote #postit #postits #madetostick #thedailytype #lettering #doodle #dailydoodle #typeinspire #typographyinspired #betype #lettering #handlettering #letteringco #motivation #betype #handdrawntype #typeinspired #handtype #dailytype #blkcreatives #letteringart #rockyourhandwriting #handwriting (at St. Louis)

[jeffersonsmonticello]

@HakimBe:

#SwornAgain with my favorite #Sevenarians!!! @CitizenUniv #CivicSeminary #CivicSermon #CivicSevenary #citizenartist @ Citizen University https://bit.ly/2CtBZyL http://twitter.com/HakimBe/status/1294370039429074945

[whoislauralee]

PHEW I'm already coming along with my comic for the @kennedycenter based on this year's Arts Summit!✍️The theme this year was storytelling so it's VERY up my alley. 😆It's been a fun challenge to weave all the big ideas of this inspiring event together visually and thematically. Thankfully finishing a 182 page comic was the perfect warm up for producing this new lil' 8 page art baby. 💪⚡️🤞 . . . #artssummit #artssummit2019 #citizenartist #kennedycenter #thekennedycenter #comic #thumbnails #storytelling #visualstorytelling #bluepencil #sketches #layout #comicsjournalism #busybee #keepdrawing #ontothenextproject https://www.instagram.com/p/ByV-IyvlZu5/?igshid=1rm2hdat5v5u7

[whoislauralee]

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A post shared by Laura Lee Gulledge (@lauraleegulledge)

What a delightful surprise at the @kennedycenter Arts Summit to see they printed my comic book about last year's summit and gave them to all the attendees! 😆Here's a little flip through. 📖And I'm happy too share that I will be making another comic about this year's summit which had the wonderful theme of STORYTELLING. It was truly an inspiring insightful day and I look forward to sharing my favorite moments with you in comics form!✍️✨ . . . #artssummit #kennedycenter #citizenartist #comic #comicbook #lauraleegulledge #comicsjournalism #dreamjob #johnfkennedy #moonshot #artinnovation #thoughtleaders #artnerlove https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw8D-Eslk__/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=i1dslkhfszhk

[whoislauralee]

Here’s a couple of my favorite behind the scenes pics from the studio while working on my recent @kennedycenter Arts Summit comic! ✍️Shading the comic with painted graphite & gouache...plus Rory “helping” me outline the content to write my script. 😻#nothelping #comics #wip #graphite #gouache #ink #drawing #inthestudio #behindthescenes #lauraleegulledge #kennedycenter #artssummit #citizenartist #makingcomics #comicsjournalism #studiocat #distractions https://www.instagram.com/p/BqNxLgJlHJG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16wegogek667r

[whoislauralee]

This project started with George Floyd & ended with Amanda Gorman, so it's strange that they're both in the news this week...🌺What I also found strange during this 3 month installation was that HIS portrait was the one that kept falling down, asking for my continued attention. So I'd return to the window and have a little chat with him as I rehung his portrait, taking me back to the beginning of this series. 🖤”I spent hours studying his face, staring into his eyes, and sitting with his story. I found that long after I put the sign down, I still carried him with me. Learning someone’s story turns strangers into friends. And painting someone? It’s inherently an act of love. As an artist, I follow love. So I kept painting portraits..." (from my artist statement) ✍️💓The exhibit might be over but I know this creative journey will continue...so if you know of a space that would be interested in displaying this installation, or a group who might want to give it a permanent home--please let me know! 🙏And you can see my full recap from the live painting in this "Say Their Names" exhibit @silverchairnews in my latest blog post. (link in bio) 👈 . . . #blacklivesmatter #blm #restinpower #liveinpeace #seeninsilverchair #charlottesville #installation #publicart #lauraleegulledge #citizenartist #amandagorman #kehindewiley #georgefloyd #ahmaudarbery #jacobblake #sandrabland #michaelbrown #elijahmcclain #tonymcdade #marcusdavidpeters #tamirrice #oluwatoyinsalau #sagesmith #breonnataylor #portrait #indiaink #followlove #loveeveryone #saytheirnames (at Downtown Mall) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNbBIFQlUiX/?igshid=evrgcnmnq7mb

[whoislauralee]

Its wild to me that in this new @cavalierdaily article I’m talking about public art I would not have guessed I’d be making a year ago...or talking so boldly about my beliefs as a Citizen Artist!🔥But I suppose this past year has inspired & emboldened me to use my voice(s) in new ways. To invent and feel and create my way through this moment. So I don’t know where it’s taking me...but I’m gonna just keep following the love. And I sure look forward to the conversations we’ll have along the way.🙏💕 (link in bio) #press #interview #saytheirnames #lauraleegulledge #cavalierdaily #seeninsilverchair #blacklivesmatter #citizenartist (at Charlottesville, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMdJTDYFlco/?igshid=s5l9d6com02b

[whoislauralee]

YES I’ll be painting in the @silverchairnews window BOTH Friday & Saturday! ✍️💕Poll for the second #blacklivesmatter #livinginpeace portrait coming tomorrow. 🗳 This is the little clock to track my progress thru the glass... including MANY breaks of course. ☕️💃💬 . . . #liveart #portraitpainting #installationart #blacklivesmatter #BLM #saytheirnames #restinpower #liveinpeace #charlottesville #downtownmall #citizenartist #artistatwork #publicart #restasresistance (at The Downtown Mall Charlottsville) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLXxrpZl2iA/?igshid=1knquaksvr1vv

[whoislauralee]

My #blacklivesmatter #saytheirnames portrait series art installation is now on view at @silverchairnews and here’s a look!🎉 I’m especially excited about the freestanding “composition book” on the inside which I just made with new Artner @laquinnofficial featuring his song lyrics.🎵This display will be up through March, and in February I will make some new #liveinpeace portraits LIVE in the window!✊🏾 To say that I’m humbled by this opportunity—especially in this place at this moment—would be quite an understatement. Truly. 🙏💕 . . . #blm #restinpower #sayhername #sayhisname #charlottesville #installation #art #charlottesvilleart #portraits #cvillearts #artivism #citizenartist #spreadlove #laquinn #lauraleegulledge #collaboration #artnerlove #seeninsilverchair (at Downtown Mall) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ9lW8Jl3uA/?igshid=7rte6xbpppxp

[whoislauralee]

TODAY I’m installing my #saytheirnames #blacklivesmatter portrait series at @silverchairnews ✊🏾I was already very emotional prepping this 3 month installation to go right by #heatherheyerway when events this week in DC retriggered memories of #august12 #charlottesville so I hope this exhibit can be a helpful offering of love as my thoughts go out everyone in the community. 🙏💕Also if you see me in there today, please say hi thru the window✌️ . . . #BLM #citizenartist #spreadlove #restinpower #charlottesvilleva #seeninsilverchair #silverchairwindowdisplays #artinstallation #charlottesvilleart #charlottesvilledowntownmall (at Downtown Mall) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ1JaEjFBVD/?igshid=1ldn6oxtceje6

[whoislauralee]

My #topnine this year has a clear theme 👀✊🏾#blacklivesmatter so it’s good timing to ANNOUNCE I will be EXHIBITING this #blm tribute portrait series January-March 2021 at the @silverchairnews artist space on the downtown mall!#comingsoon ✍️⚡️I’m grateful to keep producing work across creative disciplines throughout this wild ride of a year...and special thanks to ya’ll for all the support & kind words along the way.🙏💫 . . . #artartart #citizenartist #comics #graphicnovel #thedarkmatterofmonastarr #virtualbooktour #colorguard #streetart #karat #movingagain #yourfriendlyneighborhoodartist #artistlife #creativeexplorer #creativitythroughchaos #2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CJMO5hZlXDJ/?igshid=1lckrn2lklwy7