By volunteer Paul Kessler
“Enter Laughing.” That is what the sign on the door to the Women’s Wisdom Art Studio reads, and the ladies inside fulfill that mission. Women sit and laugh while working on their watercolor paintings. Paintings are abstract or realistic. Conversations range from family members to upcoming events to songs from TV shows to movies. A light music plays in the background.
Sometimes, the ladies get up and dance, but mainly, the music is relaxing. In fact, the mood in general is relaxed. While the women take their art seriously, they often take breaks from their art to talk and laugh. There is no added pressure. Everyone smiles and laughs.
But what is Women’s Wisdom Art exactly? This program at SFBFS offers a variety of art experiences for women who want to broaden their creative lives. Designed as a uniquely feminine environment that supports the artistic and personal growth of women in all stages of life, Women's Wisdom Art believes that artistic exploration naturally brings greater self-knowledge. Classes, which include lunch, are free and taught by professional artists. They include drawing, textiles, clay, mixed media, poetry, gourd crafting, creative writing, and painting with acrylics and water color.
Lisa, one of the clients in Women’s Wisdom Art, took some of her time in the studio to talk to me. While she (and the rest of the ladies) was working on recreating the works of Vincent Van Gogh, Lisa told me that she really likes making collages.
“I make use collages on all sorts of things,” she said. “I’ll make birthday cards or Christmas cards with collages on them. It makes me feel very creative, something I can’t say I feel when I use mediums like pencils and pens.”
But it isn’t only the art that unites these women. There is a strong sense of unity amongst them. “We have a lot of camaraderie amongst the women,” said Lisa.
Lisa appears the most talkative of the group. She is always quick to compliment everyone on what they are wearing. It’s obvious that her compliments really unite the women and make one another feel comfortable.
If you are interested in participating in Women’s Wisdom Art or know of a woman who could benefit from these free services, please contact Helen at hplenert@sacramentofoodbank.org. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Robin at volunteer@sacramentofoodbank.org
June 22, 2010
June 18, 2010
Race for The Rock, By Paul Kessler
Race for The Rock, By Paul Kessler
June 5th marked the second annual Race for the Rock, put on by Rogers Jewelry Co. in support of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.
This year, more than 400 individuals participated in the citywide scavenger hunt, where clues were sent from a database to the contestants’ cell phones. All of the contestants strapped on their safety gear, donned their light blue t-shirts and rode all over downtown Sacramento trying to find the grand prize, a Hearts on Fire diamond ring, valued at over $20,000.
Different clues were sent to different phones to avoid participants following one another and each text messaged-clue sent the contestants to many Sacramento landmarks. Stops included the Raley Field, the courthouse, Old Sacramento and the Sacramento Convention Center.
My mom and long term SFBFS volunteer Mary Kessler shared her experience. “I got to see so much of the city that I didn’t even know was there! I was really excited to find out that Sacramento had a Chinatown”
In fact, she continued to talk about the event for the next few days, telling my brother and me about different landmarks around the city that she and my dad had not even seen before.
The event lasted just two hours but from my mom’s stories, I would have thought it lasted the entire day.
Starting on the steps of the Capitol at 10 a.m., the Race concluded with an after party at House Restaurant & Bar around noon, where the winners were announced.
“The final hint was for everyone to meet at 55th and Capitol, and when we got there, everyone was coming from different directions, all in the blue shirts, it was so cool,” my mom said.
While my parents didn’t come home with any diamonds, they did manage to get a $20 gift card to the Grange Restaurant.
It seems to me like this could be the next emerging event that SFBFS has to offer, after the well known Run to Feed the Hungry, and I can’t wait until next year when I can participate in the 3rd annual Race for the Rock.
June 5th marked the second annual Race for the Rock, put on by Rogers Jewelry Co. in support of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.
This year, more than 400 individuals participated in the citywide scavenger hunt, where clues were sent from a database to the contestants’ cell phones. All of the contestants strapped on their safety gear, donned their light blue t-shirts and rode all over downtown Sacramento trying to find the grand prize, a Hearts on Fire diamond ring, valued at over $20,000.
Different clues were sent to different phones to avoid participants following one another and each text messaged-clue sent the contestants to many Sacramento landmarks. Stops included the Raley Field, the courthouse, Old Sacramento and the Sacramento Convention Center.
My mom and long term SFBFS volunteer Mary Kessler shared her experience. “I got to see so much of the city that I didn’t even know was there! I was really excited to find out that Sacramento had a Chinatown”
In fact, she continued to talk about the event for the next few days, telling my brother and me about different landmarks around the city that she and my dad had not even seen before.
The event lasted just two hours but from my mom’s stories, I would have thought it lasted the entire day.
Starting on the steps of the Capitol at 10 a.m., the Race concluded with an after party at House Restaurant & Bar around noon, where the winners were announced.
“The final hint was for everyone to meet at 55th and Capitol, and when we got there, everyone was coming from different directions, all in the blue shirts, it was so cool,” my mom said.
While my parents didn’t come home with any diamonds, they did manage to get a $20 gift card to the Grange Restaurant.
It seems to me like this could be the next emerging event that SFBFS has to offer, after the well known Run to Feed the Hungry, and I can’t wait until next year when I can participate in the 3rd annual Race for the Rock.
June 4, 2010
Race for the Rock
Get ready to race for the rock! This Saturday, June 5th, Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services is hosting a huge fundraising scavenger hunt by bike in the downtown Sacramento area. Participants will race around the city in pairs by bike and foot, following clues they will receive via text message. The winning team will receive the "rock", beautiful jewelry donated by Rogers Jewelry Company, the host of this fundraising event, but there will be prizes for everyone- over $35,000 in prizes awarded at the after party, held at House Kitchen and Bar beginning at 10a.m. Registration is $40 per team, however the after party is open to all. This is the second year the event will be held and we expect about 2,000 Sacramento area residents to turn out.
For more information on volunteering or participation go to www.racefortherock.com and check out www.sacramentopress.com for more media on this exciting fundraising event.
For more information on volunteering or participation go to www.racefortherock.com and check out www.sacramentopress.com for more media on this exciting fundraising event.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
