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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 2011)
'rii' $îortlanb (ribsrruer Page 18 Sharing Cultures continued December 28, 2011 OL,gl Art from front leave individuals vulnerable and broken-hearted. "What Americans don’t seem to understand or appreciate, is that newcomers come here with a boat load of spiritual, social and cultural capital,” he said. "But we trade that for financial capital, and in this trade, everyone is enriched. In fact, this is what makes America so creative and vigorous.” Keeping the immigrant artist ac tive is really important to keeping families happy and healthy, he said. While other organizations use a different kind of method. Colored Pencils is a social justice non-profit that uses art to build a positive community. C a ta la n i added that every Portlander is welcomed to join in on the mission and showcase their art. "It’s Portlanders of all abilities and disabilities,” he said. The couple recounted a dance performance by an African-Ameri can young woman who doesn't have any legs or arms. "The courage of this woman made us forget she was limbless,” said Catalani. "It’s about learning to work together to produce an event and overcome historical issues from 8,000 years-ago,” he said. Although immigrants and refu gees, whom both Xuto and Catalani refer to as new Portlanders, may be poor economically, he said they are definitely not in poverty. “We have really rich cultures. We don't want our poor new com ers to slide into a culture of pov erty,” he said. “Artists are central to stopping that slide.” People immigrate to the United States most often because there is no money to be made in their own countries. Although he said eco nomic integration is areal challenge, if you encourage, engage, and em power people, they will not stay poor long, he said. "What we want to do is let folks know that once we are in our new country, we need to contribute what we bring from home, such as art and culture,” he said. “Listen to the Chinese, Hindi, Russian and Viet namese.” Xuto said, however, money is not the reason artists create art. It’s all about culture and expres sion, she said. For me, we are art, and what we promote is in here,” said Xuto, point ing to her heart. “And Colored Pen cils ensures that no one has to give up anymore.” As a way to celebrate community and culture in the New Year, the next Colored Pencils multicultural family room evening will be held on Friday, Dec. 30, at McCoy Academy ’ s Open r Nim Xuto, co-founder of Colored Pencils Art and Culture, a volunteer-run organization based out of downtown Portland. Door Gallery, beginning at 6 p.m. Featured artists include work by H isp an ic P a in te r M anuel Cobarrubias and African American Photographer Michael Simpson, as well as Bobby Fouther, veteran African-American dancer, choreog rapher, painter and arts activist. Traditional African food will be served, as well as performances by poet Norma Alicia Marin Favela, Mr. Americana Gary Marschke, Nepali heart-breakerGauri ‘Raj’, Iraqi poet Baher Butti, Balinese traditional performer Novi Leigh, DJ Chatta Addy, and several spoken word artists. Prajwal Ratna Vajrachara of the Foundation for Sacred Buddhist Arts of Nepal will also help welcome in the 2012 Dragon Year and cel ebrate three years of the Colored Pencils Arts & Culture Council put ting together Portland’s settled and immigrant communities’ extraordi nary vocabulary in spoken words and on canvas, in fine cuisine, in music, and dance. “I think Colored Pencils gives people of all cultures within Port- Today’s Little Scholars Childcare Today's Little Scholars Childcare is located near Portland Community College on Killingsworth and Albina street offering Flexible Scheduling. Are you looking for reliable and safe childcare? I f so, I ’m a certified provider giving today s Little Scholars a wonderful and loving environ ment to enjoy being themselves. Allow me to take care o f your children the right way... Contact us today! 1-800-385-8594 DHS State Assistance Accepted 24 Hours Childcare Provider http://www.todayslittlescholarschildcare.com land an equal opportunity to show- case their work,” said Xuto. “It is time now for us to show who we rea lly a re — the c o lo rfu l Portlanders.” For more information about the organization and their upcoming event, visit coloredpencilsart.com. Your Care Our First Priority Dr. Marcelitte Failla Chiropractic Physician We are located at 1716 N.E. 42nd Ave. Portland, OR 97213 (Between Broadway and Sandy Blvd. ) • Automobile accident injuries • Chronic headache and joint pain • Workers Compensation injuries Call for an appointment! > W (503)228-6140 I i . p
