Thingyan: Photos from Dream Acts 03/23/2012
The Dream Acts exhibition is up at the Carrboro ArtsCenter for one more week! In recognition of the Human Rights Center and Abbey Court's celebration of Thingyan last April, and in solidarity with the HRC's human rights conference, we exhibited many of the photos and video from the awesome Burmese celebration of water. 
New job at GFWC-NC 03/23/2012
I have been fortunate to work for the past two months as the interim executive director of the General Federation of Women's Clubs of North Carolina. 
GFWC-NC is a statewide association of women's clubs. My role is to support the clubs and clubwomen in their community service work. I have been inspired by their dedication to volunteer community service, as well as leadership development and recognition for women. I has been a short post, but an amazing experience, and I have learned a great deal about administration, communications, event planning and magazine design that I will take into my next project! Learn more about them and the international Federation: www.gfwcnc.org www.gfwc.org 
Celebrate Human Rights 03/23/2012
The Human Rights Center's Celebrate Human Rights Conference last Saturday, 3.18.12, was amazing! Panels, keynote speaker Gene Nichol, tamales, music by Plutopia, discussion and inspiration. Thanks soo much to the panel I moderated on particpatory democracy, to all the volunteers, panelists and participants! A video of the conference will air on public access TV soon. 
Dream Acts Documentary 01/06/2012
Neill Prewitt, Lincoln Hancock and I created a video document of the Dream Acts project to tell the story of the Abbey Court Community Art Project. We hope it will continue the conversation and inspiration of the project and motivate further friendships and collaboration among neighbors in Carrboro, Chapel Hill and everywhere. Dream Acts Documentary from JamPak on Vimeo. March for the Human Rights Center 12/05/2011
 "1-2-3-4, HRC in Abbey Court! 4-3-2-1, Human rights for everyone!" (Photo by Lauren Kennedy) Last Saturday we chanted and marched in protest of the eviction of the Human Rights Center from its home at Abbey Court Apartments. The march was huge and many residents joined us. We are now looking for a new home and plan to continue gathering as a community. The HRC is a home! More info about the eviction, the HRC and march here. humanrightscities.org Thanks to Occupy Chapel Hill, UNC Students for a Democratic Society and many others for organizing and supporting the march.  Zoey and Mary carry a picture of the lovely Abbey Court vista. The reverse reads "The HRC is a home." (Photo by Lauren Kennedy)  Issac, in the hoodie, let me borrow his tambourine. (Photo by Lauren Kennedy)  Our streets. (Photo by Lauren Kennedy)  On October 27th the staff and board of The Peoples Channel and Durham Community Media organized a super successful fundraiser/party celebrating all the great local goods and services in Durham. Thanks to the over 100 people who supported DCM and sampled treats from vendors such as Coon Rock Farm, Benjamin Vineyards, the Cookery, Chirba Chirba dumpling truck, and Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe. Yum. Join us next year for HG-HM2! More about the event and DCM, Durham's only public TV and community media station, here. www.thepeopleschannel.org CAM Fright at the Museum! 10/24/2011
 Neill Prewitt, Lincoln Hancock and I will be projecting wild, creepy and dizzying projections for Raleigh's Contemporary Art Museum Halloween bash this Saturday. We're honored to be invited along with other amazing artists: Phoenix Rising Productions, Yes! Sputnik, Matt Curran, Rob Underhill and so many more. The event is organized by the museum's young professionals member board, CAM/now. Their energy and creativity is amazing. Come dance with us! I am so excited to speak at the Center for Global Initiatives 2011 Visualizing Human Rights Conference, Saturday, November 5th. Lincoln Hancock, Neill Prewitt, Dr. Judith Blau and I will discuss the Abbey Court Community Art project, how the arts can help build greater humanity, and continuing activities at Abbey Court and the Human Rights Center. We will also premier a video document of the Dream Acts exhibition.  Another movie by Lermoo & Ehkhay Juelah! 10/13/2011
 Ehkhay taught me how to draw a mermaid. I am making a third movie with Lermoo & Ehkhay, a sequel to our last mermaid film. This one will be filmed at the lovely NC Botanical Gardens! Our first movie, The Story of the Missing Diary, was written and directed by Lermoo Juelah and stars Lermoo as Judy, Ehkhay Juelah as Lily, Cover Light Tun as Rosy, Mae Ria Tun as Julia, Neill Prewitt as the principal, and me as the mom. Video coming soon!  Ehkay & Lermoo Day Laborer Documentary 08/30/2011
I am the project manager for a team creating a documentary about day laborers in Carrboro. Initiated by a group of day laborers and community organizers, my role is to seek out documentarians and funding for the project and assist with its implementation.  Workers stand at the corner of Davie & Jones Ferry Roads waiting for work. (Photo by Megan Ballard for Carrboro Commons, a UNC JOMC blog) Two amazing videographers, Ted Richardson and Jon Kasbe, are working with the laborers and organizers, as well as supporters from the Human Rights Center, Orange County Justice United and El Centro Hispano. An average of 60 men stand at the corner daily seeking contracted work largely in construction, home repair and landscaping. Many come from Carrboro & Chapel Hill, and others travel from Durham, Burlington & Pittsboro to find work. The goal of the documentary is to share the day laborers unique and individual perspectives and document actions to encourage a local day laborer center and recognition of day laborers rights. Ultimately we hope it will provide a look at the complex and full situation and allow for a mutual solution that better supports the day laborers and recognizes their talents and skills. |
