ArtSpeak
The E-Newsletter of
IMAGO DEI: Friends of Christianity and the Arts

Welcome to the new e-Newsletter of IMAGO DEI: Friends of Christianity and the Arts. This newsletter will supplement our other communications with you and provide monthly updates of our upcoming events as well as details of regional events in the Christian arts community. 

Click the link below to view current and past eNewsletters.

 
           At what age do we begin to not allow ourselves to make mistakes? At what age is creativity silenced? And which mistakes are the beginnings of creative genius if we choose to value the arts? For some the arts are taken away from them at an early age.
 
            In today’s tough economy, we sometimes forget the importance of arts and all that arts can teach us.  Art programs are frequently considered expendable or a luxury item. We have forgotten to value the artistic process itself and all that the process teaches us. 

Youth that participate in the arts are less likely to have anger management issues or succumb to teen pregnancy. Youth that participate in the arts are more 3 times more likely to have good school attendance and run for a school office. Youth involved in the arts are 4 times more likely to excel in academic achievement, participate in math or science fairs, and win a writing award.  Not just a little more likely. Four times more likely.           
 
For several years we have had the Youth Arts Initiative Sr, which hires youth 14-22 to work in the arts.  Youth from this program have gone onto college, established careers, and learned new life skills. This May we retooled the Lydia Project to create the Youth Arts Initiative Jr. reaching out to youth ages 6-12 on Wednesday afternoons.  We have watched the youth's self esteem bloom as they explored the arts, made new friends and treasured their creations.
 
            Four out of five days a week the center is a hive of youthful creativity seeking new horizons. But during the past few years, we also discovered that even charging a nominal fee for the programs, means that the youth don’t show up.  And so we have continued forward on a prayer.  We have written grants, begged for art supplies, and thankfully greeted volunteers to extend the program in every way possible.
 
We will be starting a new session in September.  If you can help, we would appreciate it!  Here are some great ways to assist us:

• Donate needed supplies from the list on the left.
• Donate funds toward operating expenses so the youth have a safe place to learn.
• Volunteer to provide love and the artistic guidance needed to each of these youth. The wide variety of volunteers needed would amaze you. See the list on the left.
• Prayers for both of our Youth Arts Initiatives.

We are very appreciative of our partners and members, as we continue to serve with the arts.  Please join us in serving the youth of this community!

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