Celebrating Refugee Women and Youth Event

April 28th we held our first ever event, Celebrating Refugee Women and Youth.  We are vePhry grateful for everyone who came out to support our women's art group and the youth improve group.  The event was filled with delicious food, wine, performance by our refugees, and opportunities to get henna done, and to make and buy art.  The money we raised is going directly to support the women and youth that participate in these groups.

We sincerely thank everyone for their ongoing support!

Photo Gallery

Tara Wickey from Roots of Life Photography took some beautiful pictures during the event. 
To see more from the event check out Tara's website! 

Art for sale at the event

Tasty ethnic dishes

Refugee Youth
Performers 

Talented refugee performers

Impromtu dancer joins the performers

Refugee women making earrings

A beautiful successful event!
Thank you.

Getting ready for our Event on the April 28th.

In preparation for our CELEBRATION OF REFUGEE WOMEN AND YOUTH, this week we worked on pieces for that event.  Hana Kulovic, a wonderful textile artist, came to our group this week to teach our women how to make pipa knot earrings using suede cord in different colors.  Hana did a fantastic job teaching them how to wrap the knots and they caught on very quickly.  People will be able to make these earrings during the event, assisted by a few of the refugee women themselves.

 Hana Kulovic

www.etsy.com/shop/ChuyuWear

*follow the link to see more of Hana's work

Afterwards we decoupaged empty wine bottles, using colorful cutouts of magazines.  These bottles will serve as vases and center pieces for the tables at the event.

 On April 28th from 4:30-6:30 we will have our celebration.  The women's portraits will be displayed, we will have wine, appetizers, entertainment, and tables for people to make their own art.  The celebration will be off the Chicago red or brown lines, or a 30 minute walk from the Metra stations, at 721 N. Lasalle.  Suggested donation is $15.

Women's portraits will be displayed on these photo stands.  I used river rocks and copper wire wrapped around them.

We love us some BANGLES!

Today's project was a favorite among the women.  We used old paper towel rolls as the base and then wrapped colorful yarn around the cardboard to make beautiful bangles.  The women really did a great job creating these bracelets.  I also had so much fun taking picture of them with my new camera!  We also took portraits of the women for the celebration we are having on April 28th!  

Next week we will be making center pieces-vases for our event!

Flower Headbands for Beautiful Women

Last week I met the women at their house and we crafted while drinking chai tea.  It was a lovely Tuesday afternoon.  We made flower headbands using bands, colorful spring flowers, and beads to decorate.  The women and so much fun as I snapped away photos.  Enjoy!

 

Etching and photography projects

Today we worked with crayons, oil pastels, and did some etching on recycled bristol paper.  As usual the women used different colors to create beautiful etched drawings they can then hang up in their homes.

We are also staring a photography project were each woman has her own camera to take pictures with.  We went over what it means to frame, crop, consider different angles, and subjects when taking pictures.  

Paper projects to decorate the home

I've try to be creative with the types of materials we use for our art projects.  The colors and patterns that paper and magazine print provide have been great. We can make beautiful projects without spending a ton on supplies, not to mention eco friendly because we are recycling paper goods.


We made bird mobiles using colorful paper, ribbon, and sticks...

Another week we used old magazine pages and made colorful coasters....

The women also created their own mini notepads using recylced paper from spiral notebooks, colorful card stock, tissue paper, and ribbon.

Thread and Yarn creations

I absolutely love all art projects.I find myself learning right along side the women for some
of these projects we do, like embroidery or knitting.When it comes to knitting these women are great at it!

Us giving embroidery a shot...

On a snowy Tuesday making some knit hats and scarves...