Sunday, July 26, 2009

Friday, July 31st Join Me at the BLACK WOMEN'S ARTS FESTIVAL


Black Women's Arts Festival
Networking Party, Art Reception and Vocal Performance!

Sponsored & Hosted by A New Day with Micah Sims Radio Show 6th Annual Black Women's Arts Festival!

Date: Friday, July 31, 2009
Time: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Vivant Art Collection, 60 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA


FREE Event & RSVP Required
Click Here to register

Visual Artists:
Cheryl Durgans, Donna YaYa by Lino, Nataki McNeal Bhatti, Sharon Burton & Sherry B. Ways

Vocal Performaces:
Nikki Powerhouse, Nina 'Lyrispect' Ball, Cocosol & Rasheeda McIntosh

The Black Women’s Arts Festival (BWAF), a Philadelphia based community event, focuses on the visibility and viability of black women artists of all genres and media without regard for: age, gender expression, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation or size. BWAF has been a 501 (c) (3) organization since 2007.

Vivant Art Collection Featuring:

Nina 'Lyrispect' Ball
Lyrispect’s performance can only be described as an intense, passionate “verbal grace”. Her style, approach, content and delivery have been likened to that of: Sanchez, Baraka, Neruda and Saul Williams. She has shared venues with the legendary: Last Poets, Dr. Julius Garvey, Eric Benet, Raheem DeVaughn, Kenny Lattimore, Dwele, Fertile Ground, and most recently, Mos Def. Lyrispect’s literary works, including an original one-act “Her-story”, have received recognitions from the NAACP, National Black Theater Festival, and Center Stage’s Young Playwright’s Festival. For more information: www.myspace.com/lyrispect

Nikki Powerhouse
Nikki Powerhouse is a native of Philadelphia, PA soil. An actor, playwright, poet, nude figure model and freedom dancer who uses her many artistic expressions to promote healing. She began her extensive theater training at the Philadelphia Creative Performing Arts High School, and continued honing her passion at Black Nexxus, and Theatre for New Generation. Her New York City stage credits include: 'Notice Me', presented in NYC Fringe Festival, 'Sex, God, and Heels', 'Queen Mary of Scotland' and 'Khepera'. In Philadelphia she has trained with The New Freedom Theater, she recently finish her BFA at Temple University School of Theater Communications. Philadelphia stage credits includes: her one-woman show 'Fantasy Is An Addiction' (2005 Philly Fringe Festival), lead role in 'Antigone', 'Seven Guitars', 'Fences', and 'Merry Wives of Windsor'. Ms. Powerhouse's flexibility leaves her audiences captivated by each every performance giving true mean to the name: Powerhouse!

Cocosol
Burning with a distinct & intoxicating life force, CocoSol is an International Songstress & multi-instrumentalist. Her music is a wonderful world funk symphony woven with catchy guitar licks, sultry voice, fiery rhythms and longing melodies. In Montreal, CocoSol grew up in a large family of nine, Brady Bunch style. While a teenager, she took the stage as a root dancer and singer percussionist with Ayana & Batanes; two Malian/Cuban premier ensembles and appeared as a recording artist on their release, Batanes. Since her arrival on the Philadelphia’s art scene in the late nineties, CocoSol has collaborated with multiple artists, companies and formed three distinct musical groups: “Do it Duo, Les Tourterelles and SOWELU.” For more on this artist: www.cocosmusic.com.

Sherry Burton Ways
Sherry Burton Ways is a self-taught mixed media and art doll artist. In late 2007, Sherry was challenged by my twin sister and artist, Sharon J. Burton, to create dolls and art again. In December 2007, she created Sankofa Doll Artistry, which provided her an opportunity to begin creating mixed media art and art dolls reflective of women of the African Diaspora. Her doll art has been recently published in the book, “Black Dolls: A Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting and Experiencing the Passion” by Debbie Behan Garrett, Soft Dolls & Animals Magazine and Doll Castle News Magazine. In 2009, Ways will contribute to the forthcoming book by nationally known doll artist, Pamela Hastings, entitled Hot Flash. For more information click here

Cheryl Durgans
I am inspired by the writings of Octavia Butler and James Baldwin, the collage/assemblage art of Romare Bearden, the investigative prowess of investigative reporter Seymour Hersh, and my late father’s brilliant ability to solve complex problems as an engineer. I am intrigued by non-linear composition, layering conceptual elements on top of one another to tell a cohesive story. I grew up straddling the world of my working class relatives’ fun, cool, jazzy, but kitschy vibe with my college educated parents more pragmatic approach to living a structured, emerging African American middle class existence. Because of my background, I like to play with identity politics. Printmaking, painting and writing are important aspects of my art making process. I am particularly intrigued by the overall look achieved by using printmaking techniques.

Nataki Bhatti
A love and understanding of art was both nurtured and natured in Nataki McNeal Bhatti. She comes from a family of artists, Nataki’s mother, F. Diane McNeal was a textile & fiber artist, master papermaker and visual artist; her grandfather, F. D. McNeal, was a folk artist and her father is a painter and classical musician. One thing is certain. Nataki was raised to be an artist. She states, “I did not choose art, it choose me.” Despite challenge, she is obedient to her calling. Nataki received a dual degree in Art and African American Studies from Penn State University where she focused on African aesthetic and revolutionary art, which is the philosophical basis of all of her work. Nataki is presently working on a series of paintings that explore the black icon and harmonize conflict and movement within color. She continues to teach locally, give private lessons and facilitates various workshops. Nataki continues communicating spirit with a performance conversation about the dichotomies of being a black-woman-mother-artist-wife.

Sharon Burton
As a self-taught artist, I am influenced by the spiritual world, especially representations of beliefs and customs in a variety of cultures. I also use art to respond to social issues that affect those most vulnerable individuals in our society. I choose the appropriate medium, whether painting, mixed media, collage, or photography from the “visions” which guide me in during the creative process. I am influenced by African American culture and history, especially now that our country has elected the first African American President.

Simone Lino aka Donna Yaya by Lino
August 10th, 1978, on a sunny afternoon in Minas Gerais, a Brazilian artist was born. Simone’s (aka Donna Yaya by Lino) parents engrossed their daughter into several artistic activities. From the age of nine, she took art classes three times a week which blossomed into her passion. She also took dance classes and learned to samba dance like a true Brazilian native. Simone is also a performing vocal artist and use to sing in the choir of Parana University of Arts (2001-2003). Since moving from Rio de Janeiro to Philadelphia in 2005, she reconnected with her art to fill in the absence of her parents and family. Simone also known as “Donna YayĆ” by Lino” in her paintings, she embraces her feminine spiritual side while a product of her father reflects her masculinity and strength. Oil is her preferred medium of choice because of the complexity in the texture and movement. Donna Yaya by Lino expresses herself through freedom of colors, leaving ample room for the viewers’ imagination. Simone Lino’s personality is bright and energetic, which spills onto the canvas like a kaleidoscope!

Sights and Sounds of the Capital Hip Hop Soul Festival!











Hello all! We had such a great time at the Capital Hip Hop Soul Festival in Northeast Washington, DC. We had great sales from some of our Facebook fans including the Honorable Councilperson for Ward 7 in Washington, DC, Yvette Alexander!

The food, music and artwork were great. I experienced a little dehydration due to the HOT weather- but all the same it was fun. Many thanks to Liberated Muse Productions and my sis Sharon J. Burton of Gemini Visions for the opportunity.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Here is What Will be On Sale at the Capital Hip Hop Festival Tomorrow!







Above is a preview of what will be on sale tomorrow at the Capital Soul Hip Hop Festival. We will have a some of your favorites- Sassy Girls, and two new lines, Happy Girls, and the Healers. Also, I will be debuting my new doll pins! Yum!

Remember stop by and see me from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm tomorrow at the Capital Hip Hop Festival. Here are the details:

Saturday July 25, 2009
Marvin Gaye Park, Division and Foote Streets, NE Washington, DC
11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Come out and enjoy poetry, rap, neo-soul and other acts at this all day festival celebrating hip hop and soul in the Nation's Capitol.

New Sankofa Dolls and Mixed Media Art!








Hi just wanted to share with you some of my new work. Let me know what you think!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Sankofa Doll Artistry to Participate in Capital Hip Hop Soul Festival on July 25th!



I am proud to announce that I will be participating as a vendor at the 2009 Capital Hip Hop Soul Festival in Washington, DC on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at the Marvin Gaye Park, Division and Foote Streets, NE in Washington, DC from 11:00 am - 8:00 pm.

Come out and enjoy poetry, rap, neo-soul and other acts at this all day festival celebrating hip hop and soul in the Nation's Capitol.

Also, I will have new dolls and crafts for all who are art and doll lovers!

Hoping to rival the large success of the 2008 Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest, organizers for this year's festival are planning an incredible line-up.

The event is organized and sponsored by Liberated Muse Productions.

"This year's musical roster is going to be even hotter than before," says festival director, Maceo Thomas. Last year's media sponsors included The Washington Informer , www.Sojournals.com and Capital Community News.

"Liberated Muse is a community-based organization geared toward promoting and implementing positive community programming"

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Interview with Joose Unleashed!



Hello All I apologize this was last minute, I was interviewed last night on Joose Unleashed, an Artist internet radio show, check out the interview here.

"Episode 17 is an interview with Sherry B. Ways who crafts Sancofa Dolls. Sherry Burton-Ways, a Wahington, DC-based designer and doll artist whose creations have a direct line to the soul. Born in the "City of Brotherly Love" and raised in upstate New York, Burton-Ways began working on clothed dolls in 2005, after participating in a workshop with notable textile artist Francine Haskins. Join us a we talk with Sherry about her unique creations".

Learn more about me and what inspires my art. Many thanks to the ladies from Joose Unleashed for providing me an opportunity.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

My Artist's Date in Solomons, Maryland: Art & Nature!















Folks, there comes a time where you have to take yourself on an artist's date. Not just any artist's date but one where you truly immerse yourself in a totally different environment than you normally do. For those of you who don't know an artist's date is one that was popularized by the book entitled, "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. See the May posts for more information about her and my experience with her workshop.

Last week I went to Solomon's Island, Maryland which is about an hour away from where I live in Washington, DC. I stayed at the Solomon's Victorian Inn a lovely place where I found the inn keepers, Helen and Richard a true joy to stay with. The place was so nicely landscaped and serene. I felt I wanted to stay there forever. It was truly about art and nature and my being.

First, because of my feng shui studies I am considered a weak water element. Which means that water and surrounding myself with it nourishes and replenishes all that I am. Therefore I needed to be near water which Solomons has a lot of.

Second, I wanted to be inspired by nature, water and art and to my surprise I successfully had acquired all three!

My room had a lovely view of the boat docks and was very comfortable.

I traveled around the island visiting various places, particularly the eateries such as the CD Cafe and the Four Winds Cafe taking in all the good seafood I can possibly stomach.

The highlight however, was visiting Anne Marie Garden Sculpture Park and Arts Center .

This artful delight provided me a sense of true artistic delight as I roamed the outdoor sculpture park filled with various sculptures borrowed from the Smithsonian Institution. The highlight was the "Woman's Walk" which featured various sculptures of women in various forms. This was truly a spiritual experience.

The sculptures that I experienced really set the mood and provided me inspiration for the doll work and mixed media work I do.

As I walked the grounds of the park I felt very meditative. I took as many photos as I could to provide me memories of this glorious experience with you.

If you are an artist or even if you are not, consider taking yourself on an artist date. It is one of the best mental health experiences you can give yourself.

I hope you enjoy!