'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