https://www.gofundme.com/yeyo-arts-moves-to-north-stl
Spread the word!
Yeyo Arts Collective is dedicated to the creative empowerment of women and families. We were founded by a group of black mothers and elder creatives who saw the need for space that supports the total family unit. We honor creatives and entrepreneurs of all ages and expertise.
For four years we cooperatively operated a gallery in Locust Business District. In 2014 we moved to South City Saint Louis. During the formative years we enjoyed sister circles, Girls Create, a youth empowerment program and more. Through out the years we have expanded our programming to include Rediscovering the Black Arts Movement, Art Achievers, and Group-Centered Leadership.
During the winter, we plan to bring all of our cultural richness and community programming to the Greater Ville Area. We will deepen our practice of relationship building and continue in a place-based practice. We were invited by our friends at ArtHouse, who like us, has individually and collectively been at apart of the creative and political renaissance of Saint Louis, for years. Through our collaboration, we plan to foster access to entrepreneurial support in an area where media deems to be "the most dangerous place in the United States.
If you are interested in being a part of this major project please contact us at yeyoarts@gmail.com Third luck is a charm! With our third move, we are investing in an area we will call home.
12.03.2018
What do you know about Yeyo Arts Collective?
Yeyo Arts Collective
Organizational Overview
Yeyo Arts Collective is dedicated to the
creative empowerment of women and families.
When we first began our group, we gathered out of the need to
survive in our career path. As artists and creative professionals we had no
center. We wanted a holistic and just place to begin our dreams.
Women with children,
head of households, caregivers and emerging artists are a diverse
representation of the
Public. By focusing on
this portion of our population, we inherently create an inclusive environment
Of intergenerational
and cross cultural expression. Familial responsibilities, non-inclusive culture
and
Limited access to a
support network and resources, create barriers in artists lives. The need for
economic stability in creative households is demanding.
We identify all
participants of our Programs as artists. We believe all people have the
limitless potential to create, transform and rebuild.
A strong self-awareness,
place based history and knowledge of social conditions are tools given to
create art, writing, business incubation, small group formation, with a deepening
of historical knowledge and to make healthy, nonviolent decisions.
Our long term goal is to support
the development of artists, business owners, advocates and leaders in our Saint
Louis neighborhoods and similar urban environments in the United States.
We create alternative
representation to popular media stereotypes of our youth and reflect positive
images of young people through campaigning, sharing and creating intergenerational stories through
our art
Billboards, social media,
and advocacy.
Our short term goal is to support
the advancement of leaders through access to support information, mentorship,
wellness awareness and a cooperative business demonstration model, with
professional development.
Our organizational strength
is that for eight years we have invested our time resource, in kind
Donations and fundraising
efforts to support our next generation of leaders. Our weakness is that although
our programs have created youth led projects, we have not yet created
sustainable funding to accomplish a youth led campaign. We have yet to create a
council of elders. We are still growing into our organizational consistency.
Many Saint Louis and urban
residents across the country are accustomed to working with larger service
based institutions. We believe that larger institutions historically, do not
address all of the needs of the family unit and young
People. We believe that our
humanity needs support groups and professional networks without prejudice that
are formed by the self-actualized inspiration of each individual.
Yeyo Arts Collective formed during the
process of opening Gya, a creative art space that was located at 2700 Locust.
The gallery and fine craft shop opened in March of 2010 and the group became
incorporated Feb 2011. The groups that
encouraged the formation of this work were Organization for Black Struggle,
Justice Institute, Literacy for Social Justice Teachers Research Group, The Cowry
Collective and Nia Artist Collective. We are thankful for the strong support of
established artists, patrons and organizations that are a part of the legacy of
fine art in the city of Saint Louis. Priscilla Block, Roseann Weiss, Joan
Suarez, Mary Ann Kramer and George Sams were guides in the early beginnings of
our gallery venture.
Yeyo Arts Collective is inspired by the
term and arts movement coined “social sculpturing” by Joseph Beuys. Social
sculpturing is a vehicle to transform society. The artist creates a social
sculpture by exhibiting visual works based on their personal narrative, using
creative writing as a form of documentation and participating in think-tank
style social projects.
Some of our longstanding collective
members, supporting members and volunteers has shaped what the organization has
been. Some members are with us for a brief time but there are many that has
been on this journey with us throughout the eight years of our formation. The
people mentioned were collective members for at least a year or collaborating
or supporting members for three years or more. Jean Brantley, Dail Chambers,
Andrea Hughes, Chinyere E. Oteh, Fannta Drummer, Valerie Wongoi Mayes, Tshepeso
Matlapeng-Sani, Regina Martinez, Amanda Colon Smith, Ndea Collins-Whitfield,
Jae Shephard, Erica Popp, William Chapman-Kramer, Dominique Purifoy, Waridi
Valentine, Thomas Turner, Hero Harrell, Umeme Houston, Pacia Anderson, Darnell
Chambers, Christopher Chable and Simiya Sudduth, all spent a year or more
practicing a collective process with our organization. Andrea Richardson, Kris
Robinson, Tasha Burton, Naado Ankrah, Ronnie Reese, Norman Ross, Treasure
Williams, Siphne Sylve, Milton Holmes, David A.N. Jackson, Ennis Oneal Newman,
Brittany Kellman , Danielle and Kevin McCoy, Deborah Mashibini, Chinaka Kizart,
Shante Duncan, Curtis Royston, Jackie Masei, Cathryn Blue, Melissa Singleton,
Sarah Paulsen, Ismima Nebkata and many others has been our community support
network and key contacts for almost the entire duration of our organizational
history.
In 2014 Yeyo Arts Collective focused its
mission and relocated to 2907 S. Jefferson Ave. The location offers stronnger access to the public. It is on
a major street and has a bus stop in front of the community gallery and office location.
It is in close area to Cherokee Street and in the Benton Park West
neighborhood.
Yeyo Arts Collective Presents
rotating classes and workshops offered by our own collective members, as well
as collaborating organizations and guest artists.
We offer a variety of programs and projects. Our practice is rooted in collaboration. Workshops range in topics such as:
We offer a variety of programs and projects. Our practice is rooted in collaboration. Workshops range in topics such as:
-Movement: Capoeira and African Dance
-Arts: Adult coloring, craft parties, specialty workshops
-Culture and History: Poetry readings, ReDiscovering the Black Arts Movement
-Youth: Girls Create (literacy + arts), Art Achievers summer camps
Art Achievers
In Art Achievers Summer Art program,
young citizens the age of 7- 15 years of age will create art, develop
leadership skills and celebrate famous Black Missourians for their works of
achievement.
Business Incubation
Yeyo Arts Collective provides a
community support network for creative people. We offer mentorship, youth
entrepreneurship opportunities, resource material and contacts and more. Our
gallery location is a launching pad for craft artists and community organizers.
Research Library
We maintain a unique library. In the
past, we maintained a public check out system. Currently, the collection is
available by request. We are working towards an online system. Topics include
Ancient Art, Self Help, Sustainable Living, African Art, Black Feminism and
more. We also have a small zine library, which includes zines made by the collective
and collective members.
The Convergence
The Convergence will take a look at three
areas: Self Care, Community Work, and
Collective Action, as catalysts for economic and cultural achievement. Participants will share techniques, skills, and information during this three-day convening. We hold bi annual gatherings in a conference style since 2014. Past presenters include Skylah Hearn, Luisah Teish, MB Dance, Jessica Gordon Nembhart and local organizations.
Collective Action, as catalysts for economic and cultural achievement. Participants will share techniques, skills, and information during this three-day convening. We hold bi annual gatherings in a conference style since 2014. Past presenters include Skylah Hearn, Luisah Teish, MB Dance, Jessica Gordon Nembhart and local organizations.
We take a 3 day look at professional art
practice, cultural support and transformative action!
We look forward to seeing folks who practice
community based art, working in the disciplines of creative writing, dance,
storytelling, visual and multi discipline.
We look forward to seeing people of color
and anti-racist allies who are professionals in their field. Artists, creatives
and legacy keepers will share their experiences through dance, storytelling and
workshops, tours, exhibitions and more!
Group Centered Leadership in the Arts
To serve a group or community is to
develop oneself and support the leadership in others. Through art, one steps
into a leadership role merely by creating the object, image or experience for
the public. Group Centered Leadership in the Arts is a project designed
by Saint Louis, Missouri based artist Dail Chambers to address the need for
viable entrepreneurial models in underrepresented communities.
In collaboration with Yeyo Arts
Collective, a spectrum of art workshops, socio economic trainings and
cooperative business model experiences will guide the participating community
through an actualized individual project while harmoniously supporting the
mission of Yeyo Arts Collective.
Our dialogue looks like the following:
The Transformation of Silence into
Creative Action
Artists present their work, and build
their individual thought processes about their practice or project. The group
is introduced as a support network.
Rediscovering the Black Arts Movement
Rediscovering the Black Arts Movement
is a look at the influence of a national, cultural and political movement in
Saint Louis and the artists of the area. A long list of collaborations and
successes has been achieved by members of the group. Through regular workshop
and lecture series we take a look at the Black Arts Movement, The Black Arts Movement
in Saint Louis and key individuals who played a part in the culture of Saint
Louis. Our lectures and workshops include storytelling about Laclede’s Landing,
popular media, and the life of Maya Angelou, Mary Meachum and Annie Malone.
This project is our regular creative
attempt at understanding how the black arts movement shaped the current art
culture in Saint Louis and beyond. The public experience,s the stories of local
artists, and the creation from the mid 1960’s to present and create a small art
piece in response to the sharing
We love learning from the Black Arts
Group, also known as “BAG.” The legendary formation inspired the world, during
their group’s history. We also take a look at the historic areas of once
thriving African American and arts community, Mill Creek Valley Laclede’s
Landing, and parts of North Saint Louis. The highlighted areas are focus areas
for many past creative and historical accomplishments in the African American
community.
We were intentional with our first
gallery endeavor with place-based honoring. We were located three blocks from
the Scott Joplin House, the childhood home of a visionary ragtime musician and
composer. We were located down the street from the Black Artist Group, a
legendary collective of musicians, writers and artists’ past location. We were
across the street from the first black YWCA west of the Mississippi river, the
Phyllis Wheatley YWCA. We were diagonally west of the childhood home of
Tennessee Williams. We were walking, creating and joining in a creative hotbed.
It is in the middle of the nation and on longstanding historic ground.
At our South Saint Louis location we
are five minutes from the childhood home of Maya Angelou. We are tucked away in
the midst of large street traffic, yet safely across from a firestation. Each
place has a deep history that we are learning from as we do our work in the
places.
Ancestry
Our organization supports the keeping
of ancestry, ethnographic research and libraries and archives. We communicate
about our personal and collective ancestry stories and origin myths in our art
and organizational practice. We highlight legacy keepers and honor the local
elders who support our organizational growth through awards, formalized thank you
and support of their art.
GirlsCreate
In
GirlsCreate young creative children between the ages of 7 and 14 create and
explore the world together through art and healthy living practices. During
2010-2011 the program ran as a weekly meet up. Throughout the years it has been
rotated to special interest groups and unique program opportunities. The young
creatives has created photo journalism projects, worked on farms and gardens,
created a youth led book club and more. Each
Saturday in July 2011 we created lively
window boards for vacant homes and places in North St. Louis and beyond! Artists Andrea
Hughes led workshops.
Participants learn basic art concepts, and painting practices
inspired by artists such as Jacob Lawrence, Kerry James Marshall and Diego
Rivera. The goal of the group is:
Learn Meditation and Yoga
Explore Independent Media by Youth & Women
Make Recycled & Earth Friendly Art
Build Positive Self Image and Expression through Art Promote Healthy Living and Gardening
GirlsCreate is a program sponsored by YeyoArts Collective members and is created and facilitated by artist and organizer Dail Chambers and community educator and organizer Chinyere E. Oteh. Both teaching artists are graduates of the Regional Arts Commission's Community Arts Training Fellowship.
Learn Meditation and Yoga
Explore Independent Media by Youth & Women
Make Recycled & Earth Friendly Art
Build Positive Self Image and Expression through Art Promote Healthy Living and Gardening
GirlsCreate is a program sponsored by YeyoArts Collective members and is created and facilitated by artist and organizer Dail Chambers and community educator and organizer Chinyere E. Oteh. Both teaching artists are graduates of the Regional Arts Commission's Community Arts Training Fellowship.
Gallery
& Craft Shop
The Yeyo Arts Gallery
has relocated to 2907 S. Jefferson Ave. St. Louis, MO.
We moved to our new South City location in 2014.
We were previously known as Gya Community Gallery located at 2700 Locust Ave. St. Louis, MO.
We host fine art exhibitions in our gallery on the topic of women, youth, family and community. Each featured exhibition includes a discussion and/or reception.
We moved to our new South City location in 2014.
We were previously known as Gya Community Gallery located at 2700 Locust Ave. St. Louis, MO.
We host fine art exhibitions in our gallery on the topic of women, youth, family and community. Each featured exhibition includes a discussion and/or reception.
In our gallery we feature special
groups, legacy artists, textile art, and emerging artists. Our gallery has
maintained exhibitions for eight years and has an extensive list of past
artists represented.
Veteran Families and the Arts
We identified that veteran families
benefit from creative empowerment. From resource fairs and service workshops,
to veteran focused special interest
groups, we are linking the creativity of veteran families with resource and
personal development.
Most classes are held at the Yeyo
Arts ,2907 S Jefferson Ave. To sign up for a class or workshop, or to get more
information, email us at yeyoarts@gmail.com.
We host regular cultural, family friendly events! From poetry
readings, to film screenings, we connect to the community through our events.
Creative Empowerment and Self Care
Our holistic approach to creative
empowerment allows us to navigate topics of self-care such as sustainability
and creative living solutions, gardening, combating environmental issues
through the arts, and combining healing modalities with practical art making.
Our programming supports the mental health of individuals and groups living in
urban environments and have been affected by PTSD, Depression, and more.
Collaborations
Does your organization have a creative, fun idea? There are a
few ways to work with us.
Workshops and Classes! Are you a yoga instructor with a small following? Do you teach self-esteem or a craft? Host your workshop at our space and we will assist you with enrollment! We just ask that you donate 30% of the fees back to the collective!
-Looking to rent a space? Do you already have a clear plan of what you want your event to be? Would you like to host a private event in our intimate space? Contact us for space rental details.
-Volunteer! We operate without a paid staff. Volunteering in a great environment, with diverse opportunities and a clear goal.
Workshops and Classes! Are you a yoga instructor with a small following? Do you teach self-esteem or a craft? Host your workshop at our space and we will assist you with enrollment! We just ask that you donate 30% of the fees back to the collective!
-Looking to rent a space? Do you already have a clear plan of what you want your event to be? Would you like to host a private event in our intimate space? Contact us for space rental details.
-Volunteer! We operate without a paid staff. Volunteering in a great environment, with diverse opportunities and a clear goal.
-Intern! Please contact us for an experience that
is unique, creative, and understanding. We accept interns on a rolling basis
from a variety of disciplines.
Curriculum Development
We are using our process of development
and organizing as the foundation for two curriculums. Our Teaching Artist Guide
created with North Saint Louis Arts Council serves as a basis for our youth
programming. Our Group Centered Leadership in the Arts Curriculum serves as a
process for our adult and creative entrepreneurial programming.
Lectures, Workshops and Pop Ups
Our organization has facilitated
sessions in conferences, gatherings and academic settings around the country.
We attempt to co-facilitate as much as possible with two active members from
our organization.
Sister City Relationships
Yeyo Arts Collective has had an
exhibiting presence in Pittsburgh since 2012. Our group is a mentor and
collaborating organization with the Flowerhouse, a Pittsburgh based community
arts space.
Yeyo Arts Collective has built
relationships in New Orleans since 2010. The organization exhibited at the Gris
Gris Lab, Blackstar Books and Caffe and members participated in Urban Bush
Women. The organization has been awarded funds from The New Orleans Jazz and
Heritage Foundation and has collaborated on projects with NOLA Herb Gathering
and Sista Midwife Productions. An anchor relationship is with Community Book
Center.
Through partnerships with Caritas
Village, Frank D. Robinson and Artistik Approach, Yeyo Arts Collective has had
an exhibiting presence in Memphis, Tennessee since 2010.
Our research development and exhibition
partnerships happens regularly in Chicago, Ill. We have exhibited and co-shared
space at Urban Art Retreat on numerous occasion. We attended the Ella Baker
Institute at University of Illinois Chicago. Our collective members exhibited
in Bronzeville, at South Side Community Arts Center and pop up exhibitions
throughout the duration of our organizational history.
Timeline
2010
Yeyo arts collective formed.
Gya community art gallery opened.
Girls create was created.
Regular Watercolor Sessions developed
with Andrea Hughes
Cross Cultural workshop series created
with Fannta Drummer
Attends U.S. Social Forum
2011
Yeyo Arts Collective incorporated as
Non Profit Organization
Programming increases to include
cultural events.
Window Murals project beautifies North
City Neighborhoods with vacant homes
Inaugural artist in resident: Mankwe
Ndosi
Two collective members, one intern
attend Urban Bush Women Summer Leadership Institute
Black Love Day Annual Dinner
2012
Collaboration with North Saint Louis
Arts Council as a paid youth arts program including photography, murals and
mosaic.
Discovering the Black Arts Movement
programming.
Black Love Day Annual Dinner
Published “Sticks in a Bundle are
Unbreakable” our first collective literature.
2013
Black Love Day Annual Dinner
2014
Rediscovering the Black Arts Movement
programming.
Group Centered Leadership in the Arts
Curriculum Created
Inaugural Convergence conference
One Member attended the Ella Baker
Institute
Black Love Day Annual Dinner
A collaborator attended Urban Bush
Women Summer Leadership Institute
Moved our gallery location.
2015
Black Love Day Annual Dinner
Yeyo Arts Collective works with Saint
Louis City Parks and Recreation for Summer Camps through Art Achievers
Programming.
“We are Yeyo” campaign launched.
Two collective members graduated from
Community Arts Training Institute
A collective member and a collaborator
attended Urban Bush Women Summer Leadership Institute
2016
Art Achievers expanded
Collaboration with New Orleans as
sister city, with support from New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation
2nd Convergence Conference.
Two collective members travel to
Tanzania.
A Collective member attended Urban Bush
Women Summer Leadership Institute
A Collective member graduated from
Community Arts Training Institute
2017
Art Achievers program is continued.
Flowerhouse in Pittsburgh, PA is formed
as a collective.
2018
Rediscovering the Black Arts Movement
with special focus on Maya Angelou, Annie Malone and Mary Meachum
A collaborator of New Orleans Herb
Gathering
An organizational collaboration with
Messiah Community Center
International Artist Residency
And Beyond!
10.02.2018
Capoeria the month of October!
Do you want to play with us?
Check out our schedule below!
Check out our schedule below!
Capoeira on:
Wednesdays 7 - 8:30
Oct 3, Oct 10
Saturday 10 am - noon
Oct 6
Tuesday Thursdays 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Oct 16, 18
Oct 23, 25
Oct 30
9.10.2018
International Artist in Residence Recipient
We are excited to highlight our 2018 International Artist in Residence. Ife Olatunji is an artist, anthropologist and ethnographic documentarian who created Collected Voices Ethnographic Film Fest. She has received numerous awards anf fellowships for her work.
Yeyo Arts Collective will support her travel to continue the creative practice she maintains. This is what she says about her work:
Yeyo Arts Collective will support her travel to continue the creative practice she maintains. This is what she says about her work:
As an anthropologist and documentary filmmaker, I have always been interested in the non-tangible aspects of culture, such as love, faith, and spirits. My project in Nigeria, entitled "Footing" is about the spirit that remains after 400 years of physical change. Over the course of a few weeks, I hope to document the daily lives of women and girls as they learn about and practice traditional African faiths in the heart of Nigeria, Ile-Ife. Through photography and cinema verite vignettes, I hope to be able to capture the spirit of my ancestors stolen hundreds of years ago. I look forward to gallery viewings and discussions between Nigeria and America.
We will update our supporters on the journey and creative practice. For more information, contact us at yeyoarts@gmail.com
7.21.2018
Group Centered Leadership in the Arts
Group Centered Leadership in The Arts is now enrolling!
“The most common way people give up their power, is by thinking they don’t have any.”
-Alice Walker
Join us for a journey of manifestation. In our first mini residency 90% of the participants completed their goals and lived their wildest dream! Artists traveled to Tanzania, India, and through out the country with their creative talents. Professional CD's and large bodies of works were released into the world. We began our journey with self care.
In the next series we will deepen our practice. We want you to join us. Apply today. More info below. Please read the attachment!
Group Centered Leadership in the Arts supports artists in achieving their economic goals in an inclusive environment. Group Centered Leadership is an organizing model that encourages individual growth and empowerment as a way to affect positive social change. Small group art projects cultivate leadership development.
Artists will create a culminating project in response to their experience. Participants are asked to: Present their creative vision, participate in workshop schedule, and create a culminating art project. In Group Centered Leadership in the Arts individuals achieve their creative goal while simultaneously achieving common goals that support positive social change.
Yeyo Arts Collective will introduce supportive knowledge, organizational exercises and a network to artists. Artists will discuss the social change work of Ella Baker, participate in large group exercises, and develop a plan of social change that involves their artistic endeavor or goal. Other topics will include self esteem, speaking in front of an audience and goal setting.
4 workshops at Yeyo Arts every other Sunday. Please send in your letter of interest ASAP! The fee for the mini residency is 65.00 and covers the cost of communal supplies, welcome packets and culminating event. Please read attached flyer.
5.07.2018
4.09.2018
Welcome Soraya Jean-Louis McElroy
We are excited to announce a rare mini- residency to Soraya!
She is a life long artist with a plethora of creative magic in store for the Saint Louis area.
SAVE THE DATE
Exhibition Reception
SATURDAY MAY 19th 5-8pm
Artist Workshop
SUNDAY MAY 20th 1-4pm
$25 donation
Yeyo Arts Collective
2907 South Jefferson Ave
Saint Louis Mo 63118
*This mini- residency is in conjunction with the month long celebration of Yeyo Arts Collective's 8 year anniversary!
She is a life long artist with a plethora of creative magic in store for the Saint Louis area.
SAVE THE DATE
Exhibition Reception
SATURDAY MAY 19th 5-8pm
Artist Workshop
SUNDAY MAY 20th 1-4pm
$25 donation
Yeyo Arts Collective
2907 South Jefferson Ave
Saint Louis Mo 63118
*This mini- residency is in conjunction with the month long celebration of Yeyo Arts Collective's 8 year anniversary!
Soraya Jean-Louis McElroy
New Orleans, Louisiana
Multimedia: Painting, Collage, Installation and Prose
BIO/Artist Statement
Soraya Jean-Louis McElroy is a Haitian born, Harlem and Brooklyn raised mixed media queer womynist artist conjurer and healer currently living and loving in New Orleans. Her love of black wom*n and families, motherhood, nature, wildcrafting, Black Feminist Futurisms, comics/graphic novels and the African Diaspora are central themes in her work. Soraya’s work as an organizer, mentor, counselor, doula and medical anthropologist focusing on women’s health and African folklore strengthen her commitment to resisting oppression and facilitating healing through imaginative creative/art activism. Soraya has participated in several group exhibits in various New Orleans cultural institutions including the Mckenna Museum of African American Art, The JuJu Bag, Antenna Gallery, The Jazz and Heritage Gallery and a solo show at Café Rose NiCaud and Backatown Coffee Parlour. Her works have been used in zines, books and promotional materials such as M Archive : After The End Of The World by Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Secret Rivers : Domestic Violence Zine, Near Kin: A collection of Words and Art Inspired by Octavia Estelle Butler, and the Official poster for Audre Lorde Days at Tulane. She also served as make-up and costume designer for Monica McIntyre’s album It Soon Come and recent creative altar designer for the re-branding of SpiritWerks : Music and Reiki Facilitation by Spirit McIntyre. Soraya is the co-founder of Wildseeds: New Orleans Octavia Butler Emergent Strategy Collective. Wildseeds work, steeped in Black feminist traditions of survival and healing, engages Octavia Butler and other speculative/sci-fi and fantastical authors a resource for social change She is currently working with various community organizations, sharing her skills as a dedicated and seasoned teaching artist and facilitating her own series of creative playshops while enjoying her beautiful family. Soraya is constantly imagining and creating new work and was awarded the Alternate Roots Visual Scholars grant in 2014. Most recently, Soraya was the creative facilitator, curator and contributing artist for one of the largest public art exhibitions in New Orleans, Wildseeds “Sacred Space”at ExhibitBE and co-organizer of the inaugural Black Futures Fest: A Celebration of the Black Fantastic in New Orleans in 2015.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)