UC
Santa Barbara's University Art Museum "Journey" Exhibit
By W.B. King
Safely
shielded from heavy rains, tribal drummers welcomed the
hundreds who attended the opening of the critically acclaimed
traveling exhibit Journey: Images of War and Celebrations
of Peace at UC Santa Barbara's University [UCSB] Art Museum
on April 5. These beats drowned conversational pleasantries
forcing attendees to both reflect and contemplate—not
the overpowering drums or falling rain, but bullets, bombs,
and stones—the sobering realities of war that ended
the promising life of photojournalist and artist Dan Eldon,
who at twenty-two was stoned to death in Somalia in 1993.
From
a young age, Eldon immersed himself in the art of collage,
filling page after page in random—now priceless—notebooks.
As he matured, fine art, photography, drawing, and painting
magnified his expression. An adventurous artist, Eldon was
the youngest photographer to be hired by Reuters and was
published internationally in leading magazines including,
Time and Newsweek. Images from his 17 personal journals
and war photographs from Somalia were masterfully displayed
by USCB Art Museum curator Natalie Sanderson. While his
images of war are unsettling yet truthful, his journals
convey personal expression and enlightenment which balance
the exhibit and offer a welcome sense of "peace."
As
the drums went silent, Kathy Eldon, Dan's mother and Creative
Visions Foundation [CVF] President, proudly addressed the
crowd standing in a haphazard circle surrounded by Eldon?s
many offerings. "I'm overwhelmed and absolutely thrilled
that Dan's legacy lives on. We're excited about the people
here at this exhibit, and with the people around the world
that have been inspired by Dan's life. The Creative Visions
Foundation is an extension of Dan's work and serves as an
intersection between media that is not only informative
but catalyzes positive change."
The
exhibit also features an interactive element with attendees
encouraged to produce their own art in the "collage
room," a facet that remained throughout the exhibit's
celebrated stay. "These images will now become part
of the exhibit and is something we intend to do moving forward,"
said an overjoyed Kathy Eldon. "The exhibit is multi-faceted,
just like Dan."
Dan
Eldon was fond of saying, "the journey is the destination."
And as this exhibit moves from state to state and country
to country those interpreting and deciphering his art—his
vision—will ensure that the journey continues.
For
scheduling information and support materials for the exhibition
contact Carrie Maloney, Director of Operations, CarrieMaloney@CreativeVisions.org
Read
The Santa Barbara Independent Review |
CVF Announces Watoto Fund
Meaning "Child" in Swahili, The "Watoto" Fund was established
to provide school fees and living expenses for poverty-stricken
Masai children living in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. Through
your donations and our collective efforts, Creative Visions
Foundation hopes to secure funding for: education, living
expenses, animals to make them self sustaining, and operational
expenses for the Kenyan director. "Our mission is to free
the children from the burdens of their daily existence and
instill a sense of safety, health, hope and promise in their
world," said CVF Director of Operations, Carrie Maloney
Their Stories In Their Words:
My name is Sophia Katitia Ledidi and I
am a student at Olooseos Secondary School Kajiado in Kenya.
Am 17 yrs old. I have great interest in accomplishing my
secondary education but my main worry is finance. I come
from a poor family due to the current prolonged drought
which has finished all the domestic animals we depend on.
We have no source of income and the chances of educating
me and my younger brothers and sister is very limited. I
come from a family of ten and it has become a problem for
my dad and mum to feed us hence a result of this unfortunate
situation am therefore seeking for any assistance to be
able my proceed with my education.
Learn
More |
Fox
News Interview
Share the Love Concert
On
March 4, ten Los Angeles high schools banded together to
produce "Share the Love," a concert to benefit the children
of northern Uganda. Held at Hollywood?s famous Knitting
Factory, the performance was produced by students from One
Global Tribe. Funds were raised for the rehabilitation of
child soldiers at the Rachele Rehabilitation Center in Lira,
Uganda through ticket sales, a silent auction, and the promotion
of Name Campaign dog tags each engraved with the name of
a child affected by the war. Among those in attendance was
Steven Spielberg.
Click
here to view a segment produced by FOX News featuring an
interview with One Global Tribe
Watch
Fox News Clip |
Support
Creative Visions Foundation...