It Shall Be Done: The Fig Tree Project
Donation protected
"Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can". ~Arthur Ashe
A wonderful opportunity has presented itself that will make a incredible difference in my ability to be self-sustaining again. It is a huge shift, a significant leap forward that will alter my life making a decisive, critical "have mercy" moment that I've struggled & challenged to arrive at. Yes, there are many who are indeed in a far more precarious place then I am. However my need is not indefinite, this is seed money, a boost up that at the end of the day ripple outwardly to many.
I'm a soon to be 64 yr old seasoned artist making a big leap within the next several days that will make a huge difference in my life. You do what you can with what you have to work with but there comes a point when many hands can indeed lighten a load.
In part, my raising the sorely needed funds which my fixed income cannot overcome will first allow me to move out of a distressing & unsafe enviroment into a decent apartment where I can work & create. In this safer enviroment, in the heart of a vibrant, re-emerging city on the move, I can work freely & productively contributing to my larger community. This is not about self-indulgence or entitlement but about being functional & autonomous.
. The plus is the accessibility to not only attend to my personal needs but will a huge boost toward an important project that can only enhance my New Orleans community as it continue on its amazing, transformative odyssey.
Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney,contemporary textile artist with "The Fig Tree"©14. Photography by Gus Bennet, Jr for the New Orleans People Project©14
Now...the second stage:
The secondary part of the fundraiser will be the commencement of my " HeART" empowerment classes seriesentitled "Standing in the Shadows (no more)" at the Ashe Cultural Art Center commencing on August 26,2014 right before the ninth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. These classes using narrative quilts & fiber will serve as a "textile blog" where participants will use this medium to tell in whatever way they choose , to figure out work their way in, around or through their shadow.
The classes will run every Monday from 6-8p through November 26th, 2014 at the Ashe Cultural Art Center is in partnership with the Contemporary Art Center in the Art Warehouse & Central City of New Orleans.
***"Second Cadence"©14JHM Unframed 7" diameter
Sample image of Lagniappe Reward Level below... Lagniappe pronounced "Land-YAP" Creole word for "a little bit extra".***
In partnership with these seasoned participants a variety of topics will be explored sometimes with guests speakers & myself, but will be group-centric. The Shadow classes will them a vehicle where they can work toward sustainability, to be heard, to realize/manage creatively ways that can be workable economically & self-empowerment.
Commencing March 6,2015 at the beginning of Women History Month through April 30th which is both National Poetry Month & National Quilt Month there will be an art exhibition " Standing in the Shadows (no more).
***Background story***
The Fig Tree Project was an idea germinating since 2010 after spending some time with a woman named Elisabeth who I did not know at the time was at 67 yrs of age was homeless. This woman had been gainfully employed most of her life only to lose everything a few years prior.
It took long period of time before I gained her trust to learn some of her story that transpired in her native Alabama. That story stayed with me. No woman, especially our senior women should ever have to live in that level of fear & poverty. Elisabeth's story seeded what took time to germinate to my now Fig Tree Project.
While it took four years, The Fig Tree Project took root in my heart. I had to have more experience to round it out. The Fig Tree Project has its foundation in the Biblical prophecy of Micah 4:4. Now saying all of this, I understand..to my very core.
***Why Me? Why Not?***
I've walked their path; I've not doing this from some abstract theory. Once I had a successful career as an artist only to find myself, as many other did, with my world falling apart in 2008 when the economy crashed. I did not envision seeing myself prior to this of being in a position at 63 years old like this barely existing on a meager income of $543. I've also come to realize how we treat our older ones to our collective shame. At near 64, I'm in "the youth of old age". I still am active, engaged & determined. But I also know we are not always as kind or decent as we are capable of being.
" Standing in the Shadows" with the refrain (no more) is my way of convey we can by our choosing can walk, trudge, march or high step down a tunnel (Shadows), it don't matter as long you make it to the brightness (no more) at the end of that darkness.
Having my experiences, the flip side of it all as I struggled has expanded the use of my creative muscle, inventing ways out of "no way". Seasoned seniors are still viable, still willing to be contributing members having earned that right to be treated with respect.
So here we are: I have a chance to get myself up but need a modest boost. I must... I shall find a way from no way to come up with the requisite money to cover moving expense. A fixed income is, well, fixed.
Yes, there are others far worse off then me. Yes if you did help I can tell you that it will not be in vain.
To that end, I am offering one of my textile mes petit jolies (my pretty littles) seen in the pictures to each donor at & over $50 to assist me in funding my move toward physical & financial sufficiency.
Time is of the essence. This offer is good through July 5th,2014.
You will be doing a good thing in help a senior to help herself which in turn, will ripple out to help others here soon. This is necessary & will be done. I trust & hope you will assist & share the link with others.
Ya Ya You! Reward Level:
These are samples of my "littles" averaging 2-3" in diameter. While these are shown, these minaturized woven "food baskets" with red beans & rice (a standard New Orleans traditional Monday meal), the centers can be a variety of things.
No two are just alike. The littles are suitable for shadowbox framing making a striking statement in groups or can be worn as alapel,hat pin or hair pin (for women). You will get a Certificate of Authenticity & story of the littles.
Thank you so much in advance for your finacial support and wourds to flame the fire!
This artist will not forget your generousity.
A wonderful opportunity has presented itself that will make a incredible difference in my ability to be self-sustaining again. It is a huge shift, a significant leap forward that will alter my life making a decisive, critical "have mercy" moment that I've struggled & challenged to arrive at. Yes, there are many who are indeed in a far more precarious place then I am. However my need is not indefinite, this is seed money, a boost up that at the end of the day ripple outwardly to many.
I'm a soon to be 64 yr old seasoned artist making a big leap within the next several days that will make a huge difference in my life. You do what you can with what you have to work with but there comes a point when many hands can indeed lighten a load.
In part, my raising the sorely needed funds which my fixed income cannot overcome will first allow me to move out of a distressing & unsafe enviroment into a decent apartment where I can work & create. In this safer enviroment, in the heart of a vibrant, re-emerging city on the move, I can work freely & productively contributing to my larger community. This is not about self-indulgence or entitlement but about being functional & autonomous.
. The plus is the accessibility to not only attend to my personal needs but will a huge boost toward an important project that can only enhance my New Orleans community as it continue on its amazing, transformative odyssey.
Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney,contemporary textile artist with "The Fig Tree"©14. Photography by Gus Bennet, Jr for the New Orleans People Project©14
Now...the second stage:
The secondary part of the fundraiser will be the commencement of my " HeART" empowerment classes seriesentitled "Standing in the Shadows (no more)" at the Ashe Cultural Art Center commencing on August 26,2014 right before the ninth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. These classes using narrative quilts & fiber will serve as a "textile blog" where participants will use this medium to tell in whatever way they choose , to figure out work their way in, around or through their shadow.
The classes will run every Monday from 6-8p through November 26th, 2014 at the Ashe Cultural Art Center is in partnership with the Contemporary Art Center in the Art Warehouse & Central City of New Orleans.
***"Second Cadence"©14JHM Unframed 7" diameter
Sample image of Lagniappe Reward Level below... Lagniappe pronounced "Land-YAP" Creole word for "a little bit extra".***
In partnership with these seasoned participants a variety of topics will be explored sometimes with guests speakers & myself, but will be group-centric. The Shadow classes will them a vehicle where they can work toward sustainability, to be heard, to realize/manage creatively ways that can be workable economically & self-empowerment.
Commencing March 6,2015 at the beginning of Women History Month through April 30th which is both National Poetry Month & National Quilt Month there will be an art exhibition " Standing in the Shadows (no more).
***Background story***
The Fig Tree Project was an idea germinating since 2010 after spending some time with a woman named Elisabeth who I did not know at the time was at 67 yrs of age was homeless. This woman had been gainfully employed most of her life only to lose everything a few years prior.
It took long period of time before I gained her trust to learn some of her story that transpired in her native Alabama. That story stayed with me. No woman, especially our senior women should ever have to live in that level of fear & poverty. Elisabeth's story seeded what took time to germinate to my now Fig Tree Project.
While it took four years, The Fig Tree Project took root in my heart. I had to have more experience to round it out. The Fig Tree Project has its foundation in the Biblical prophecy of Micah 4:4. Now saying all of this, I understand..to my very core.
***Why Me? Why Not?***
I've walked their path; I've not doing this from some abstract theory. Once I had a successful career as an artist only to find myself, as many other did, with my world falling apart in 2008 when the economy crashed. I did not envision seeing myself prior to this of being in a position at 63 years old like this barely existing on a meager income of $543. I've also come to realize how we treat our older ones to our collective shame. At near 64, I'm in "the youth of old age". I still am active, engaged & determined. But I also know we are not always as kind or decent as we are capable of being.
" Standing in the Shadows" with the refrain (no more) is my way of convey we can by our choosing can walk, trudge, march or high step down a tunnel (Shadows), it don't matter as long you make it to the brightness (no more) at the end of that darkness.
Having my experiences, the flip side of it all as I struggled has expanded the use of my creative muscle, inventing ways out of "no way". Seasoned seniors are still viable, still willing to be contributing members having earned that right to be treated with respect.
So here we are: I have a chance to get myself up but need a modest boost. I must... I shall find a way from no way to come up with the requisite money to cover moving expense. A fixed income is, well, fixed.
Yes, there are others far worse off then me. Yes if you did help I can tell you that it will not be in vain.
To that end, I am offering one of my textile mes petit jolies (my pretty littles) seen in the pictures to each donor at & over $50 to assist me in funding my move toward physical & financial sufficiency.
Time is of the essence. This offer is good through July 5th,2014.
You will be doing a good thing in help a senior to help herself which in turn, will ripple out to help others here soon. This is necessary & will be done. I trust & hope you will assist & share the link with others.
Ya Ya You! Reward Level:
These are samples of my "littles" averaging 2-3" in diameter. While these are shown, these minaturized woven "food baskets" with red beans & rice (a standard New Orleans traditional Monday meal), the centers can be a variety of things.
No two are just alike. The littles are suitable for shadowbox framing making a striking statement in groups or can be worn as alapel,hat pin or hair pin (for women). You will get a Certificate of Authenticity & story of the littles.
Thank you so much in advance for your finacial support and wourds to flame the fire!
This artist will not forget your generousity.
Organizer
Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney
Organizer
New Orleans, LA