"1000 Heart and Hands"

I began this project to create a homage to creativity and how art transcends all boundaries. I will convey the process in the near future. I wanted to share with you a witness's story to the exhibition. Read below--Thank you Melissa for expressing your subjective experience. The exhibition is up till June 30th. Please check out the space and relax, drink tea, and collect some heart/art.
Lisa Rasmussen M.F.A.


Lincoln’s Hearts and Hands

Walking into Lamyx Tea Bar, I was struck with the calm and soothing atmosphere it provides. My eyes can’t help but be drawn to the array of wonderful colors alongside me as I continue to the counter. This great display of Lincoln Child Center’s Hearts and Hands exhibit. Glancing at each unique piece of artwork covering the wall in what seems to be 1,000 hearts and hands. Each one conveying the individualism of its creator- each piece, each person, each story. It is quite a whimsical presentation, flowing along with all of its vibrancy and expressiveness. Thoughts of happiness, love, loss, and hope consume me into the stories behind each and every one. Among flowers, brightness, darkness, brokenness, and mystery, I see an overall connectedness. It is as if these are all driven by the same passion to convey this masterwork’s message as a whole, reaching out to its viewers.

As I drink my green tea while listening to the play list consisting of worldly allure, I can see all of these hearts and hands come together with all of their diversity and almost suggesting to me that all it takes is anyone’s loving hearts and hands to make a difference in a child’s life. Each one of the hearts that are up remind me of the soul and emotion that went into this presentation, while each hand I see reminds me of the very real people who created it. Each with their own views, hopes, and dreams. In essence, Lincoln Child Center is lending not only its hands but also its hearts to reach out and embrace those other hearts and hands within the community.

The barren spaces on the wall reflect those who have taken notice of the love and common theme of peace. Contributing themselves to the cause taking a piece of art into their home and into their hearts and hands, offering endurance for a brighter day. The artwork provides a very strong declaration, as the children and staff of Lincoln Child Center imply in this masterpiece. They are the kids you do not see or hear, but they refuse to remain in the shadows. The cause is very real and every vulnerable child is worthy of basking in the same light as others. Lincoln Child Center is offering its hearts and hands to you, in hopes for you to do the same.

Melissa Domann
May 27, 2009

Art of Transformation Fundraiser this Saturday! 5/2/09

"What does art mean to you?
Ever since I began as a transformative art teacher at Lincoln Child Center, I have been asking this ongoing question to myself and to my students everyday that we meet in the "calm room' --the art room.
To Javier one of my students who is age 7, in one conversation he stated that “painting makes me feel happy. When I make art, I learn about the parts of myself that are a mystery.” "

The beautiful pictures above is Javier seeing his painting at Studio 333 at his classes art reception for all the artists in the exibition. His painting is full of expression and to me beckons an inner silence from the viewer. For me Javier work is akin to abstract expressionist Mark Rothko's color fields CLICK HERE" to read more about Mark Rothko,
At Saturdays event you have the opportunity to bid on Javier's and many other heartfelt creations.

Everyday that I teach these children I am inspired and in awe at the resiliance of these amazing children as well as how they intuitively have the ability to tap into the heart of creativity. In my job I feel that I have personal access to a hidden treasure within our fabric of society. This is really one of the main reasons of this exhibition is to reveal the treasures that exist in all of these kids.


The exhibition "The Art of Transformation" is an amazing cultural
event that honors our children and their imagination, their
creativity,their expression, their survival skills, and their being.
This exhibition opened on 4/18 and concludes with a soulful evening to
raise funds for the art programs and the artists from three mental
health agencies in the Bay Area: Seneca, Lincoln Child Center, and Sand
Paths!

Please join us and bring friends. There will also be an amazing
Transformative Art panel! A soulful academic discussion on what
transformative art is. The evening will be filled with food, entertainment, education, and art
buying.


When: Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Where: Studio 333, 333A Caledonia Street, Sausalito, CA
What: A fundraiser to benefit the children and art departments of
participating agencies
$5.00- $50 suggested donation at the door (sliding scale-no one
turned
away)
5:00 pm Doors open, hors d’oeuvres and beverages
5:15-6:00 pm Panel Discussion and Q&A: How is art transformative?
What the effects does art have on our children? Does art have the
potential to heal?
Panelists include:
Dr. Michael Samuels, MD, director and cofounder of Art is a Healing
Force;
Peter M. Rojcewicz, PhD, former chair of Julliard's Department of
Liberal Arts and presently dean of JFK University's School of Holistic
Studies;
Michael Grady, MFA, dean of JFK University's Department of Arts and
Consciousness. The panel will be facilitated by Lisa Rasmussen, MFA,
one of the founders of The Art of Transformation and pioneer of the
Transformative art program at Lincoln Child Center.
6:00-10:00 pm Music and soulful entertainment will be provided by
Alma Desnuda (Spanish for 'Naked Soul'), an acoustically groovin'
four-piece band that plays uplifting, funky and fun, danceable music
with a powerful message of
unity and living life to the fullest.
8:30 pm Silent auction closes
Live
Auction for select pieces every 45 minutes.

THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION OPENS THIS SATURDAY!! 4/18/2009

' The Dreamin Tree"
Artist: Allerrai
Age: 13
Medium: Chinese Ink Brush on Paper

Art means a lot. Art takes you into
another dimension. It is better than
anything in this world. With art I learn
about life and that I am a good person

Alleria is an artist, poet, an amazing dancer, and athlete. Her stunning illustration called "The Dreamin Tree" will be in the live auction during the fundraiser on May 2nd at 7:45. Please join us for a soulful evening supportIng our artists and their ART!

ART=HAPPY

THE LARGER MEANING

Disadvantaged youth find hope in art and self-expression

SAUSALITO, CA (May 2, 2009) – More than 200 children will participate in the 3rd annual The Art of Transformation, a groundbreaking art exhibition that honors the extraordinary creations of children who receive treatment from Lincoln Child Center, Red Hill Academy, Sand Paths Academy, and Seneca Center. The Collective agencies are all Bay Area non-profit organizations that provide mental health services for severely emotionally disturbed children and their families.

The exhibition highlights what art means to the children exhibiting in the show. It provides an opportunity for the public to learn more about therapeutic art, the children who benefit from transformative art programs, and the positive impact art has on the children’s lives.

The exhibit will open for viewing on April 18, 2009 and will culminate with a reception on the evening of May 2, 2009. A silent auction will be held for select pieces along with a live auction featuring art pieces from each agency and works donated by Bay Area artists. Guests will also enjoy a panel discussion with three experts in the field of transformative art. Panelists will explore the following questions: How is art transformative? Does art have the potential to heal?
Soulful entertainment will be provided by Alma Desnuda (Spanish for 'Naked Soul'), an acoustically groovin' four-piece band that plays uplifting, funky and fun, danceable music with a powerful message of unity and living life to the fullest.

When: Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Where: Studio 333, 333A Caledonia Street, Sausalito, CA
What: A fundraiser to benefit the children and art departments of participating agencies
$20 - $50 suggested donation at the door (sliding scale-no one turned away)
5:00 pm Doors open, hors d’oeuvres and beverages
5:15-6:00 pm Panel Discussion and Q&A: How is art transformative? What the effects does art have on our children? Does art have the potential to heal?
Panelists include:
Dr. Michael Samuels, MD, director and cofounder of Art is a Healing Force;
Peter M. Rojcewicz, PhD, former chair of Julliard's Department of Liberal Arts and presently dean of JFK University's School of Holistic Studies;
Michael Grady, MFA, dean of JFK University's Department of Arts and Consciousness. The panel will be facilitated by Lisa Rasmussen, MFA, one of the founders of The Art of Transformation and pioneer of the Transformative art program at Lincoln Child Center.
6:00-10:00 pm Music and entertainment provided by Alma Desnuda.
8:30 pm Silent auction closes
Live Auction for select pieces at 7:45 p.m..

For more information, visit http://artoftransformation3.blogspot.com/


Media Contacts:

Lincoln Child Center: Kimball Lane, 510.482.6645, kimballlane@lincolncc.org
Red Hill Academy: Jodie Mathison, 415.256.9312 x232 jmathison@redhillacademy.org
Sand Paths Academy: Annie Crowder, 415.826.2662, crowder980@comcast.net
Seneca Center: Anne Farrah, 510.317.1446 x227, anne_farrah@senecacenter.org
Studio 333: Christopher Holbrook, 415.290.0934, christopher@studio333.info

The Event

The exhibition will open April 18th and end with our fundraiser gala reception on May 2nd. There will be a panel discussion, art buying, a live auction, food and wine, and music. Please join us for a fun and very meaningful experience.

Our soulful band for the event

Here is some information on our band for the event. Singer Chris Bryden also works for Lincoln Child Center with Project Permanence.

Alma Desnuda, Spanish for 'Naked Soul', is an acoustically groovin' four-piece band that plays uplifting, funky and fun, dance-able music with a powerful message of unity and living life to the fullest.

Comprised of Bay Area locals, Alma D will get your soul dancing with a sound that blends many genres into what they have coined “community” music. It is music that connects people, with beautiful vocal harmonies akin to Simon and Garfunkel, fun acoustic guitar melodies similar to Ben Harper and Jack Johnson, rhythmic percussive grooves that drive like Ozomatli, and a rockin' upright bass backbone that brings together Chili Pepper funk and the old school Bay Area “stank”.


Instrumentation
Chris Bryden - guitar, vocals
Paul Suhr - guitar, vocals
Joe Glaser - cajon, drums, percussion
Tony Glaser - upright and electric bass, vocals

'CLICK HERE" for more information on our amazing band for the grand event on May 2nd

PANEL DISCUSSION-"Why is art transformative?"

In the beginning of our opening reception we will have a panel discussion with Dr Michael Samuels, Peter M. Rojcewicz, PhD, and Michael Grady, MFA about "why is art transformative" and "what are the effects it has on our children." This will be facilated by Lisa Rasmussen MFA, one of the founders of The Art of Transformation and pioneer of the Transformative art program at Lincoln Child Center.

Our Panelists
Michael Samuels, M.D., a physician, artist, guided imagery specialist, and author is one of the foremost experts in body, mind, spirit medicine today. His best selling books The Well Body Book, Well Baby Book, Well Pregnancy Book were amongst the first books in self help and holistic medicine. As a physician, he has worked with guided imagery and patients with life threatening illness for over 25 years. His book Seeing With the Mind's Eye was the first book on guided imagery and is the classic in the field. As Director of Art As A Healing Force an organization which networks artists and healers he is a leading expert on art and healing and creativity and healing. "CLICK HERE" to explore Art as a Healing Force


Peter M. Rojcewicz, PhD
Dean, School of Holistic Studies at JKU "CLICK HERE" to read Peter's essays.


Michael Grady, MFA
Chair and assistant professor. BFA, Tufts University, 1974; Diploma, Boston Museum School, 1974; Fifth Year Honors Diploma, Boston Museum School, 1975; MFA, Pratt Institute, 1990. Grady is an exhibiting artist and former Dean of Students at the San Francisco Art Institute. He has an extensive background in mental health and has worked as an art therapist. Recently, he has led several art travel/study programs in China, and has special interest and expertise in Asian art and philosophy.'CLICK HERE" to read Mike Grady's essays on arts and consciousness.

The Third Annual Art of Transformation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION

Disadvantaged youth find hope in art and self-expression



SAUSALITO, CA (May 2, 2009) – More than 200 children will participate in The Art of Transformation, a groundbreaking art exhibition that honors the extraordinary creations of children who receive treatment from Lincoln Child Center, Red Hill Academy, Sand Paths Academy, and Seneca Center. The Collective agencies are all Bay Area non-profit organizations that provide mental health services for both children and families.



“The Exhibition’s premise is that the process of making art can provide a beacon of hope, and transform the lives of children, their family dynamics and the world we live in,” according to the agency art therapists. “This exhibit provides an opportunity for the public to learn more about therapeutic art, the children who benefit from it, and the positive impact it has on their lives.” The Art of Transformation’: Imagine your Dreams will spotlight our children’s vivid imagination and their interpretations of their lives.



The exhibit will open for viewing on April 18, 2009 and to culminate with an art auction. Throughout the show art pieces are available for sale. A silent auction will be held for select pieces. In addition, there will be a live auction featuring art pieces from each agency and others donated by bay area artists. Guests will enjoy a panel discussion, entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, and beverages.



When: Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Where: Studio 333, 333A Caledonia Street, Sausalito, CA

What: A fundraiser to benefit the children and art departments of participating agencies

$20 - $50 suggested donation at the door (sliding scale)

6:00 pm Doors open, hors d’oeuvres and beverages

6:30-7:00 pm Panel Discussion

8:00-11:00 pm Music and entertainment

8:30 pm Silent auction closes

Live Auction for select pieces every 45 minutes.





Media Contacts:



Lincoln Child Center: Kimball Lane, 510.482.6645, kimballlane@lincolncc.org

Red Hill Academy: Jodie Mathison, 415.256.9312 x232 jmathison@redhillacademy.org

Sand Paths Academy: Annie Crowder, 415.826.2662, crowder980@comcast.net

Seneca Center: Anne Farrah, 510.317.1446 x227, anne_farrah@senecacenter.org

Studio 333: Christopher Holbrook, 415.290.0934, christopher@studio333.info