How may I help?
I am sure you have asked yourself this question more than once. I had many times, and also how can I use my professional skills to help causes that I am interested in, what can I do to contribute to change in my community?
Visiting artist Favianna Rodriguez asked herself the same question, just like you and me, but she took it a step further, to action! Rodriguez began as a steam engine spreading her passion to issues in social justice through arts - she explains on a press release the strong responsibility she feels to make art that will help others help our planet.
Pondering this responsibility is a frequent for Rodriguez, “my work reflects a growing national consciousness that speaks to the contemporary urban barrios, rebelling against racism, homophobia, sexism and corporate irresponsibility”.
A determined entrepreneur and young author, Rodriguez travels around the world explaining what we can do to help a cause. She does it with imagination, powerful messages, well-crafted printmaking skills and vibrant colorful posters and murals. Rodriguez engages audience of all ages, especially teenagers. Only a sharp, dynamic and energetic person like her can communicate with all different crowds. She shares generously her extended experience, such as projects about immigration, victims of violence in Juarez, Mexico, and war conflicts.
I attended to some of Rodriguez' talks at the Hui No’eau Visual Art Center in Maui, and I immediately plugged in her passionate knowledge, that is recognized by UTNE Magazine who says she is the “leading visionary artist” in the United States.
What is her secret? How does she get to be called a “leading visionary”?
Rodriguez starts with a good attitude and determination to achieve her goals. This relies on organizing her life thoroughly, which includes her own recipes on career goal setting and business strategies and tactics. Rodriguez has been knitting her own network - setting career goals, she studies the steps to get to them, she plans how to take those steps, and who can help her. She applies this model with discipline to reach her dreams, and being an example, she helps others to act and bring change.
Favianna Rodriguez is an activist not only by getting involved in social issues by raising her images to bring awareness, but also she is an activist to herself. Both artist and activist with extraordinary self-commitment, she empowers kids, teenagers and adults to embrace their full potential and engage in the different discussions in their community and in our world.
Everyone is invited to see her slide presentation and Pot Luck on Saturday July 24th at 5 pm at the Art Center at Linekona. Trust me it is worthwhile to attend!
No comments:
Post a Comment