Squam Art Workshops is a community of makers and we love nothing better than to support initiatives that combine a love of creating with a passion for making the world a better place.
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We are delighted to be collaborating with three wonderful communities who are focused on using the power of creativity to make sustained and important change in the world (and have fun doing it).
TILA STUDIOS
Only 4% of art across museums and galleries are from Black Women Artists; since 2016, TILA STUDIOS, an arts incubator based in Atlanta, GA, has been working to improve that unacceptable statistic. Through connection, opportunities, mentorship and support, TILA offers Black Women Artists the tools and exposure that encourage their work to bloom.
Squam has been so grateful to be able to join into this work and offer direct support with events local to Atlanta (such as the Bloom + Bolster pop-up free market) in July 2020 as well as initiating a pipeline between TILA artists and two New England museums: RISD Museum and deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, in addition to nurturing ongoing collaborations that promote, amplify and elevate the work of Black Women Artists. TILA has a dedicated board at the SQUAMLOVE Community site to provide a safe and supportive online space for TILA artists that offers opportunities for personal development and new connections.
WE ARE THE SEEDS of CultureTrust
pictured above on left is Tailinh Agoyo, Director of Seeds East with Zahn McClarnon;
center is artwork by Aly McKnight, and on right,
a young girl participating in We Are the Seeds Philly
SEEDS was also founded in 2016. Its goals are to celebrate and educate about contemporary and Indigenous arts and culture, create opportunities for Indigenous artists, and provide positive and accurate representation for Indigenous peoples. SEEDS produces cultural programs and workshops that celebrate and support Indigenous arts, artists, and Native communities throughout North America.
Squam is delighted to provide sponsorship to the year-long Gathering Seeds 2.1 distance learning program and to participate in ongoing collaborations with the SEEDS community. SEEDS has a dedicated board at the SQUAMLOVE Community site to provide a safe and supportive online space for members of the SEEDS community that offers opportunities for personal development and new connections.
BLACK TO BIRCHTOWN
Squam is honored to be a founding investor of the Black to Birchtown project.
A team of people that includes Jessika Hepburn, Lauryn Guest, The Biscuit Eater Cafe, and the Change is Brewing Collective have joined resources to create a
“retreat and learning centre to be located in Birchtown, Mi’kma’ki, on Nova Scotia’s South Shore for Black, Indigenous, and people of colour to rest, resist, and organize for Black liberation and Indigenous sovereignty.
The centre will host retreats and learning opportunities such as historical research, workshops, events, classes, annual member gatherings and camping led by and for BIPOC communities and 2SLGBTQ+ community.”
Black to Birchtown will start booking retreats and events with members in June 2021. Initiatives include: supporting @seedshelburne to end environmental racism in Shelburne, summer camps, youth programs, music shows, craft markets, reading retreats, food festivals by & for BIPOC communities and many more beautiful ideas that will grow out of this initiative.
blessed be