"Gallery on the Go"

I’m a local Artist in the city of Flint,  Michigan. I have a  art program  that I partnership with Christ Enrichment Center a local community center in our city's most blighted area. Christ Enrichment Center is not a church, it's a 501c3 organization that offers literacy based programs and family enrichment activities and services, in our city's most needy area. Our programs are funded through private donations and grants. My art program is funded through my pocket, and whatever supplies are donated. I have not received a salary in over 3 years for the afterschool program, which runs September-May. I receive a small stipend which I invest in art supplies for the children. The center gives me studio space in kind for my service. But I supply all of the equipment and supplies which are not cheap. The classes have been well received and the children are thriving finding their voice through art.

Christ Enrichment Center is located in the heart of our city's most blighted neighborhoods approximately 7 out of 10 homes are abandoned. Unfortunately abandoned properties lead to crime, looting, stripping, due to illegal scrapping. Leaving the homes unviable for rehabilitation leaving the neighborhoods unable to be revitalized. Over 50,000 properties are abandoned in Genesee County this is an overwhelming amount. Our city has no money to combat this issue. Our Mayor Dayne Walling has asked the community for help and to partnership with the Genesee County Landbank in combating this problem. Earthworks Art Studio & Gallery's in partnership with Christ Enrichment Center has come up with a community art project that's back by the Greater Flint Art's Council that will accomplish this goal. "Gallery on the Go" is a community art project that will use professional Artist, community organizations, community teens, and other members of the neighborhood to paint 4x10 artistic panels that will later secure viable Genesee County Landbank properties. It will also provide summer jobs and activity’s for the city’s youth. We have partner shipped with Flint Metro Youth Build and other teen organizations that employ the city's youth. We also have engaged The Boys & Girls club and many youth summer groups and camps with your help we can create summer jobs and change the way our city is perceived. We can replace hope where there's hopelessness, beauty where there is blight. Inspirational quotes will accompany the art on the panels. This is one of three festival type events with a picnic type of atmosphere that is FREE TO THE PUBLIC. There will be face painting, sidewalk chalk artist, balloon animals, arts & crafts, fun games, water tag, open mic, poetry, music, and storytelling. The artist will be painting panels with the community and there will be 40 ft. wall of art undulating through the park. There will be tents which will house fun events and interactive crafts for all who attend. At the end of the summer we will use all the panels from these 3 events to board up the viable properties that surround the center and park. Giving the community ownership in the beautification of a severely blighted neighborhood. Please watch this news clip of our local abc station covering our project and the mayor's response to it. Please click on abc12.com Newsmaker show aired on 5/30/15. Click on video then go to Newsmaker section. Also check out our website at http://sandrabranch1.wix.com/galleryonthego
With your help I believe we can make the largest open air art gallery in Michigan. We intend on doing this every year until the job is done. Please help this is a more than worthy cause and a mammoth challenge! This not only takes a village it takes the WORLD. Thank You!