The Art Party, a celebration of ten years, is tonight!

News Flash! News Flash! "Art Party" is officially a mis-nomer. This event is a full-blown ART CARNIVAL!!! Good vibes and spectacular art is bursting out into the streets!

Here is the schedule of events:

From 5-6 pm:

• The sun-fed, life-size, camera obscura by Erik Gould is unveiled;
• The drawing exchange kicks off! Take home a portrait of yourself in exchange for making one of your artist;
• Flip, our annual zine is released and signed by its distinguished authors;
• And the Gallery is opened for viewing. Where else will you see a photo-documentary of a tatoo parlor, a light installation, and a self-portrait in the form of a tree?
• You also might be in a slideshow recapping ten years at New Urban Arts.

Is there more, you ask? Duh!

From 6-7 pm:

• Sing happy birthday and eat cake!
• Our 10th anniversary limited edition silkscreen poster produced by Jean Secret Door Cozzens, Dania Sanchez, and Roasalia Velis, is unveiled. (Posters are on sale for $20 and they will go fast.)
• Spoken word performences, a tribute ceremony for graduating seniors, and the infamous Fashion Show, produced by Jackie Paniagua, is going to bring you to your knees!
  

That must be it, you say... You can't take anymore? Well, then.., why are you wearing dancing shoes?

Because the What Cheer Marching Brigade is going to break it all down!

As we said to promote our first Art Party ten years ago, "If you've been down, be down." These good vibes will last all summer. Promise.

The Art Party is free and open to the public, 5-7 pm, Friday May 18th, at New Urban Arts' studio, 743 Westminster Street, Providence, RI, 02903. Special thanks to our ten friends bringing birthday cake!

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An artist mentor, through the support of a family foundation, the Minerva Foundation, pledges $65,000 over 5 years to New Urban Arts!

Last week, you may have read in our e-newsletter that a former artist mentor raised funds through her wedding and anonymously established a $25,000 fund to support future artist mentors who are work-study students from the Rhode Island School of Design.

This week, we are pleased to announce that a second artist mentor, Ellen Twaddell, through the support of a family foundation, the Minverva Foundation, has pledged $65,000 over the next five years to generously support New Urban Arts free arts mentoring programs. Ms. Twaddell, and her partner Will Fertman, were creative writing artist mentors at New Urban Arts during the 2004-05 school year. For the past two years, they have been living, writing and working in China.

Elizabeth Keith, a junior at New Urban Arts, was a student of Ellen’s as a freshman. She reflects on her experience working with Ellen, “I miss her!!! She helped me so much with the composition of my writing and prepare for the end-of-the year Art Party. That was really the first time I read my writing in public.”

Ellen writes, “If anyone is interested in giving to New urban Arts and is interested in speaking to an enthusiastic former artist mentor, she or he is welcome to contact me.”
Thanks so much Ellen and the Minerva Foundation for their generous support. We are so thankful that alumni students and artist mentors give back to New Urban Arts in so many ways.

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New Urban Arts is now accepting applications for paid summer apprenticehips in photography for 14-15 year old youth from Providence.

New Urban Arts is seeking applications from youth ages 14 to 15 years old for our five-week intensive summer program in photography.

The program is running July 2 - August 2, 2007. Participants meet Monday-Thursday from 11am to 4pm at New Urban Arts studio, located at 743 Westminster Street in the West End neighborhood of Providence. Youth receive $100 weekly stipends for their participation.

Under supervision of a photography artist mentor, youth:

• Learn to use a 35 mm manual camera and develop photographs using traditional darkroom techniques.
• Learn to use Adobe software to edit photographs.
• Meet professional photographers and learn more about the career options in the field of photography, including freelance photography, medical/forensic photography, photojournalism, printing and working in labs, working for advertising, marketing, arts education and more.
• Develop a portfolio of original photography, including an artist statement and resume.
• Design curriculum and teach two workshops in photography at community centers and youth organizations.
• Exhibit and present art work at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum in a Youth Photography Showcase.
• Exhibit art work in a gallery exhibition at New Urban Arts in October.

To be eligible, students must qualify for free and reduced lunch and are also enrolled in the Providence Public Schools. You do not need to have any related experience!

Download an application from our website at www.newurbanarts.org. You can also call or email us for a paper application.

For more information, contact New Urban Arts at (401) 751-4556 or e-mail Program Director, Sarah Meyer at sarah@newurbanarts.org.

Deadline for Applications is June 22nd, 2007. This program is supported by a $44,000 grant from Workforce Solutions.

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"Arts Education and the Transformation of a City", a Brown University Commencement Forums

"Providence has been heralded repeatedly over the past decade as becoming among the most livable cities in the country. The vibrant arts scene in particular has been credited with bringing about significant change in the city. Directors of four nationally-recognized arts organizations discuss the Providence renaissance with Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline ’83, with a specific focus on the role of the arts in transforming the lives of urban youth. Moderator: Roger Nozaki MAT ’89, director of the Swearer Center for Public Service.

Panelists include:
David N. Cicilline ’83, mayor, City of Providence
Tyler Denmead ’98, founder & executive director, New Urban Arts
Donald King ’93, founder & artistic director, Providence Black Repertory Company
Jason McGill ’02, associate director, Everett Dance Theatre
Sebastian Ruth ’97, founder & director, Community MusicWorks

The forum is Saturday, May 26th, 10:30-11:30 am, in Salomon Center, Room 001 on the Main Green of Brown University.

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Long-time supporters of New Urban Arts, The Ali Dunn Packer Memorial Fund, are hosting a 5K Road Race Saturday, June 3rd. Register now.

Click here for more details.

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Let the words of Gandhi inspire your graduate! Buy this paperweight as a gift this graduation season.