Award Winning Artist in Need of a Studio….and a Home

When we are young, some of us may dream of becoming an astronaut, doctor, firefighter, or you guessed it, an artist!  We all have different goals and dreams.  But as we get older and grow up, life happens.  We stumble.  We fall.  We make mistakes.  Holding onto our dreams become more and more difficult over time.  

Robert Goldsberry has endured hardship that would make most give up on their dreams. Due to situations that have resulted in homelessness, he lacked the resources to help him continue painting.  Yet, he hasn’t given up! Regardless of any hardship, he hasn’t given up on painting; and has painted with the very few resources that he has been able to access.

If you want to see his work in person you should go to Great Western Art Gallery in downtown Denver where you can see the painting “Always” shown here.

Robert hasn’t given up on his most recent goal of helping others either!  As a Vietnam Veteran, Robert learned firsthand of the therapeutic benefits of painting in the form of abstract expressionism. He describes the benefits that colors of this art form allows with respect to being able to easily translate our own emotions thru them.  It helped him cope with the rigors of the war and he wants to help others the same way. This would be therapeutic to anyone, but Robert wants to focus on veterans and teach them to create their own pieces of abstract expressionism.

I hope Robert reminds you in the same way that he reminded me about not letting life get the best of you, but to get the best out of life!  Life is stressful, but there is a lot of art that can be made.  If you would like to help Robert help others, purchase one of his artworks, or in need of his framing expertise please contact us at yourartyourcommunity.com    

Thank you,

~Ray

Perfect Example of When Art and Community Collide

Art is a thing of beauty.   Its purpose is to be appreciated, and to expand our minds of concepts and ideas that are truly unique .  Art allows us to experience the potential of what can be.  This comes in a painting originated from the mind of a painter, a song from a musician, or even a 5 minutes of  dancing the foxtrot, tango, or salsa.

I appreciate all of these art forms as a spectator, but I am also a participant in the art form of salsa dancing.  I will not be joining Dancing with the Stars or America's Got Talent anytime soon, but it is something that truly allows me to stop time without the need of a Delorean (Back to the Future movie reference by the way).  While I'm dancing, there are no deadlines, bills to pay, or errands to take care of.  There is just living in the moment and sharing that moment with the person you are dancing with.

What is great about dancing in Denver is the people you meet and the dance community you become a part of.  Over time you begin to see some of the same familiar faces you danced with or met a week ago.  And just like most communities, its members share each others successes as well as help those in need.

This Wednesday, February 19th the local dance community center, Denver Turnverein will hold a fundraiser for one of Denver Salsa's dance instructors.  One of Denver Salsa's own instructors is ill and in the hospital.  Proceeds from the event will go to help pay the medicals bills of Lucas Pratt, which will hopefully be a speedy recovery.  There will be lots of dancing as well as dance contests from 7pm to 11pm.  If you feel like trying something new and helping someone in the process, come to the Denver Turnverein at 1570 Clarkson St.  Who knows?  Maybe this will lead you to becoming a contestant on America's Got Talen.

~Ray
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SustainAbility

As a local recycling company, SustainAbility is dedicated towards connecting communities, and giving opportunities to individuals with developmental disabilities through sustainable actions that protect our environment such recycling and reusing.  Behind the creations that are made by individuals with disabilities from recycled materials, SustainAbility has a very inspiring story!  

SustainAbility began operating four years ago in 2010 by Melisa Kraai along with two individuals with disabilities.  They initially offered residential recycling pick-up services where the recycled materials were picked-up and handled by an old wheel chair van.  The lift from the wheel chair van was necessary in order to move the large bins on and off the vehicle.  At the time they didn't have the money to afford a pick-up truck and were therefore limited by three pick-ups at a time.  Melisa reflects on the journey of great opportunities that SustainAbility has had after they began and explains that they now have four trucks that collects residential and commercial recycling.  They also currently have two drop-off sites for customers who don’t want to pay for pick-up, three warehouse locations, an electronic collection and disassembly program which is used to take apart large items. Many of these materials are then up-cycled into materials that can be used, and are therefore sold to the public.  Currently, they employ 110 individuals including 85 individuals with disabilities, which are involved in: costumer service, marketing, disassembly, and sewing projects.

Along with caring for our environment through sustainable efforts, SustainAbility also gives individuals who are underrepresented in the community the ability to improve their lives.

Currently the unemployment rate for individuals with a disability is 70%, and most of these individuals rely solemnly on social security benefits.  After paying for bills and necessities, disabled individuals are left with only a few dollars to spend.  The goal of SustainAbility is to provide them with a job that not only improve their ways of living, but a job that also improves their cognitive abilities and emotional development as they create and craft new pieces.  While having a job, individuals with disabilities find self worth, dignity, and confidence as they develop new friends, but most importantly as they see their contributions in our society.

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Art by A Conscious Spiritual Worrier

Collective Consciousness by Maxwell
"Isn't it amazing what we can do when we put our minds together"

Art from a conscious spiritual worrier and a peaceful anarchist.

Family by Maxwell
"The unity of the trinity"

Maxwell became a drummer at an early age and continues to perform and record today.  Max describes that his visual arts were always developing, matured about 10 years ago, and have now circled into his music.

Before making his way to the art room where he waits open minded for an idea to come forth, Maxwell engages in meditation and composes new music on his piano to relax and find inspiration for his next creation.  This becomes an important part of his daily life.  Once an inspiration comes forth, he looks over many drafts to find ways that he can best explain and express his inspirations and ideas.  The thoughts and feelings that overcome his mind need to be communicated properly in order to be understood by others, and when an idea becomes tangible, he repeats it while exploring many possibilities.  Maxwell creates visual and musical art and then blends the two into modern theater, leading to art that is spiritually and intuitively autobiographical.

Starman by Maxwell
"Self portrait as alien being"

Maxwell is passionate about the right to choose, our ability to grow our own food, the right to educate children outside of the present school system, and to continue to have access to the internet to research for the truth, leading to positive solutions to our future.

Inner Marriage by Maxwell

"Merging the intuitive with the intellectual"

Maxwell also believes that there is and has always been a cosmic force which our ancestors were able to understand, channel, and use the energy to create great developments.

If you are interested in purchasing an art piece by Maxwell, contact us at yourartyourcommunity@gmail.com

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Why the use of Art?

The idea is to create positive social change with something beautiful. Art

During my years in college as a Psychology major I focused primarily in the study of Neuroscience: the scientific study of the nervous system. I was fascinated with learning about topics that were centered around the change of an individual’s mind. These changes are caused by an individual's perspective of life, or through their interaction with the outside world. Experiencing art through culture, dance, music, and creation is a form of interacting with the world and can therefore change an individual's mind as learning occurs. When people engage in any type of art, they put into practice their learning styles: Auditory, Visual and Kinesthetic learning. The three learning styles can be present in an individual, but there is one that can be dominant compared to the others, for example: Have you ever experienced when looking for an address you sometimes need a map instead of actual written directions? or that you rely on visual cues to remember a specific address? If this is the case, then you are a Visual Learner! Do you find your self fidgeting all of the time? Does this quote fit you perfectly "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand" by Confucius, then you are a Kinesthetic Learner! Are you the kind of person who talks to yourself in the mirror on a regular basis and loves to engage in random arguments? Do you find yourself humming and singing to random tunes, then you are an Auditory Learner!




From personal experience as I have interacted with individuals with a neurological disorder including Traumatic Brain Injury, Alzheimer and Dementia.  I have observed that Auditory, Visual, and Kinesthetic memories are still mostly present even when the facts of their daily lives have disappeared. Based on observation at work or as a volunteer, I have noticed that an individual with Alzheimer’s or Dementia might still remember how to play the piano or paint even if they no longer remember the place they live in or even their own name! In other cases, it seems that individuals who are in rehabilitation after a Traumatic Brain Injury learn quickly after they are given a project that involves hand motor skills. Finally, individuals with Down Syndrome or Autism cannot learn by facts given, but can learn quickly through repetition with projects involving visual aids, music, and projects that involve hand coordination and motor movement.

If learning can occur by interacting with art in an individual that has sustained a brain injury, then art can most definitely have the same impact in a child who is still in the development phase as well as any healthy adult. The goal of Your Art Your Community, is to bring individuals in the community together through Art: the art of culture, the art of dancing, the art of painting, and the art of creating. As individuals engage in art, they will become informed, empowered, and will be motivated towards supporting other members in their community.

Art in Alzheimer's

~ Veronica Parra
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Ray's Blog Motivation

Your Art…Your Community:

About a year ago I purchased a ticket to a show at the Colorado Opera.  It was a show that received great reviews and I was looking forward to experiencing one of the many art forms I enjoy.  However, just days before I purchased the ticket I thought to myself, “Should I really spend the money on this ticket when there are people that can use it for their own health and well being?  How can I in good conscience spend this money on the opera when I can do good by donating it to a homeless shelter, or a food bank. ”  It is an interesting question.  How should we spend our hard earned money?  How can we enjoy a dinner at a 4 Star restaurant or a Broadway show when we know we can help others with the money would spend on that ticket?

I am not trying to say we should give up our time and resources to art.  On the other hand, it is important to appreciate art.  We need to go to concerts, dance performances, museums, galleries, as well as participate and create our own art.  It expands our universe.  It is what gives flavor to life.   But while we enjoy and appreciate art, we must not neglect our community as well as expand on what we define as our community.

Community may not be something we consciously think of, but you may be surprised to know that we are all members of different communities.  Do you like the Denver Broncos?  You are part of a community that give high fives to strangers when our Broncos win on Sunday.  Or perhaps you have a favorite watering hole or coffee shop where everybody knows your name, and they might even know your favorite drink.  Do you enjoy dancing or watching Broadway shows?  Yes again, you are a part of that community.  

Our definition of community can be expanded even further where we eventually look outside our own needs, and look to help others.  If you really think about it, the first community we are members of is that of our own family.  Our parents, and siblings.  No family is perfect, but for the most part, families are there for each other.  And like our initial community, we should expand this responsibility to help each other in other communities we are a part of.  Your neighborhood, city, state, country, and yes other countries have differences like their color of skin and last name, but are still members of the community we reside in.  

As I listen to one of my favorite artists, Van Morrison, I ask you…no I challenge you to explore the many beautiful forms of art in your community and to become invested in your community as well.  Go to a concert, but also donate to Food Bank of the Rockies.  Create your own art and dance.  But don’t forget to volunteer at a Food Kitchen.  Discover the sublime music of bossa nova, but also find out more about the tearing down of trees in the Amazon and indigenous tribes that are losing their land.

This blog is just the beginning.  It is beginning of an idea to create positive social change with some thing beautiful.  Art.

As Your Art Your Community continues to blog, we hope that your follow our articles, artists, art, and community endeavors we hope you one day contribute to.

~Ray Ribota

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