View Storyteller Exhibition through March 18 (March 2023 Newsletter)

In this issue

Storyteller: The Making of Akua Fayette

The Witness Series

Open Call: Beah Ripple

Community Activities

Favorite Links

Subscribe to CAC YouTube Channel

COVID-19 Update

The Collective's Gift Shop

Jubilee Quilt Circle

Join us Saturday, March 18, at 2 p.m.

for the closing reception of

"Storyteller: The Making of Akua Fayette."

Akua Fayette describes her work as symbolic art, which she has been practicing for over 21 years. “The people I paint are usually always women and children as my work is to uplift the family and the community, leading to the country and then throughout the world for unity." She also shares her years of experience and wisdom with her audience as host of KCOH—1123 on her Saturday radio program “The Source, What’s Your Life Changer.” She continues to work on an upcoming book that reflects her journey and community support, as well as her Goose Sense Series stories for children and adults. Akua Fayette Art/words/Wisdom by Akuafayette.

The Collective is now home to

The Witness Series

Houston is one of the nation’s most diverse cities. The 4-part Witness Series 2023 will explore the many profound experiences Communities of Color have to the Land and Waters of Southeast Texas and beyond. Co-curated in partnership with artists from the Indigenous, African American, Latino, East Asian and South Asian communities, each Witness experience will bring communities together through the power of nature and art.

The series will provide historically under-served communities with greater access to nature-based opportunities. Attendees will become co-authors, editors and observers as they take part in these participatory public art experiences centered around green spaces and environmental equity.

This year’s Witness Series will be captured by artist April M. Frazier, as she participates in each event. Through her art, we will be able to experience the power of community building and making in green spaces.

The Witness Series was created by Jaime González, a Houston-based conservationist and storyteller, and Kristi Rangel, Houston-based multi-disciplinary artist and education advocate. It is their shared belief that environmental equity is a basic human right.

Beah Ripple,” an exhibition/workshop developed and curated by Busi L. Peters-Maughan, will open Saturday, April 1, at The Collective. The exhibition issues a call to action to be a part of a sexual healing grief ritual and to provide women a safe space to release and discuss sexual abuse between men and women, both mentally and physically.

Works of artists, both visual and performing, are included in the presentation.

Peters-Maughan’s inspiration to create this exhibition was inspired by Beah Richard’s poem, “Thus a Black Woman Speaks: Of White Womanhood, White Supremacy and Peace,” and is offered as an art healing tool for addressing sexism, racism, sexual abuse, mistrust and the monstrous relationships between women of different ethnicities.

Peters-Maughan, an activist, educator and Reentry/Criminal Justice/Hip Hop Artivist, explains that “This exhibition connects the dots between women of European descent, male patriarchy and other issues rooted in oppression, colonization and the captivity of melanin dominant/indigenous bodies.”

Workshops with discussions based on the artist’s statement will be held every Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. throughout the exhibition, which continues through April 29. A reception, artist talk and program with dance poems will be held Sunday, April 23, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Peters-Maughan holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems from the University of Houston Downtown and a masters in Multicultural Studies from the University of Houston Clear Lake. She is a wife and mother of two, and she endeavors to share her own unique perspective on the world as a native from the birthplace of Hip Hop the Boogie Down Bronx, a melanin dominant citizen of the Universe born in Amerikkka and as a child of the African Diaspora. She is the founder of the nonprofit WHEW (Women Healing & Empowering Women).

The Collective, 4101 San Jacinto, Suite 116, is open Thursday through Saturday from 12 noon until 5 p.m. and by appointment.

Community Activities

The Collective participated in Project Row House's Round 55: The Drive By II opening recently, introducing the children to the joy of creating their own art. We supplied instructions, supplies and critical encouragement.

Favorite links

from our Facebook postings

An artist reclaims her family history

Poet Phillis Wheatley (as in high school)

Witness Series: Houston Botanic Garden

Dear Community Artists' Collective visitors and supporters,

We continue to play close attention to the news and announcements surrounding the COVID - 19 outbreak.

The Collective asks that you continue to wear masks and practice social distancing when visiting our facility (and elsewhere as well). We also urge you to take advantage of the free vaccinations provided throughout the city for you and your loved ones' protection. We value your support and understanding during these extraordinary times.

Do all that you can to keep yourself and your family and friends safe and healthy by staying informed from a reputable source. Here is the link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov).

We’ve never won an Oscar,

an Emmy, a Tony or a Golden Globe,

but we have some pretty good stories to tell you on YouTube. Check out what we’re doing in the community to increase art education and appreciation and how we support many talented artists and crafts folks. Our videos include workshops, artist interviews and exhibition tours. We invite you to visit our channel and subscribe.

It’s free!