900 Burkinabe Girls Thank You!

It looks like we pulled it off!! After multiple emails campaigns, Facebook posts and widgets on blogs, Friends of Burkina Faso has earned a spot in the top 4 in "America's Giving Challenge." And what a ride it's been this last week.

By 3pm EST today, the "Lambs for School" project had 1,635 donations in total, equalling $41,400. More importantly, a top 4 position guarantees the project an additional $50,000, which means this project is funded for the next 3 years! The results are not yet "official" but it's looking pretty good for FBF.

Check out the NY Times article about the Challenge. The project coordinator, Suzanne, is quoted in the article. To read a project update from 2007, check out page 10 of the Burkina Connection (which I am the editor of by the way).

Thank you very much! Barka wusugo! Merci beaucoup!

P.S. I personally think the Case Foundation should give the top 5 $50,000 since the competition was fierce. But that's just my 2 cents.

Interview from Black Creativity 2008

Exhibit in Chicago

We're just back from Chicago and the opening of Black Creativity 2008 at the Museum of Science and Industry. This was Rabi's first show out of Minnesota. We had a great time and met a lot of interesting artists from around the US. 115 pieces were selected out of 520 entries, so we were excited to have 2 accepted!

We are definitely interested in participating in future exhibits in Chicago, so keep us in mind!

Rabi with his pieces "Remanence 1" and "Remanence 3."

And thanks to Karen and Mat for their hospitality, even though it was a quick visit!

5 minutes + $10 = $50,000

As of January 10th, Friends of Burkina Faso was only 17 donors behind the 4th place cause in "America’s Giving Challenge." The race is getting tight!

Please take 5 minutes today and donate $10 to the “Lambs for School” project. The top 4 international charities with the most unique donors will receive an additional $50,000 for their project.

Visit Suzanne's donation page today!

PS, Check out the real time fundraiser leaderboard to see where the Lambs project currently stands.

Midwest Sanctuary Coverage

If you missed the opening reception (like me!) or if you can't make it over to Altered Esthetics for the show, check out some images online!

Also, check out the review of the show on by Matt Konrad on mnartists.org.

Can you find Rabi?

Black Creativity 2008

On January 16, 2008, the Museum of Science and Industry will open "The Magic and Science of Cinema and Television," an interactive exhibit that explores the dynamic careers, technology and star power that make your favorite news programs, television shows and blockbuster movies possible.

The exhibit will open as part of the Museum’s annual Black Creativity celebration — a 6 week program that highlights the achievements and heritage of African Americans. The annual Black Creativity program, will celebrate its 37th year in 2008. It will be supported with programming that includes a juried art exhibition (open for the duration of the exhibit), a symposium, cultural performances and educational workshops.

If you're in the Chicago area, please stop by to see “Remanence 1” and "Remanence 3". The judges of the juried art exhibit included: Jonathan Green, Faheem Majeed, Charles E. Bethea, Patrick McCoy, Jumaane N'Namdi, and Kymberly N. Pinder, Ph.d.

Museum of Science and Industry

57th Street and Lake Shore Drive

Chicago, IL 60637

January 16-March 2, 2008

Reminder: Opening Reception for Midwest Sanctuary

Don't forget to stop by on Friday for the opening reception of Midwest Sanctuary!

Midwest Sanctuary

Artwork by and about the diverse people of the Midwest

January 3-26, 2007

Altered Esthetics

1224 Quincy St. NE

Minneapolis, MN 55413

Gallery Hours

Tuesdays & Thursdays 1 - 7pm

Saturdays 1- 5pm

Opening Reception

Friday, January 4

7pm - 10pm

America’s Giving Challenge and the Lambs Project

Notice something new on our blog? Yes, we're seeking funds to support education for 900 girls in Burkina Faso!

Friends of Burkina Faso has an amazing opportunity for the “Lambs for School” project. GlobalGiving, in partnership with PARADE Magazine and the Case Foundation, has launched the “America’s Giving Challenge” to encourage people to give to charities through new and innovative online tools.

The 4 individuals whose international charities attract the most unique donors through this Challenge will receive $50,000 for their causes! The total funding goal for the multi-year “Lambs for School” project through GG is $72,200. The total funding received to date is $1,256. To succeed at the Challenge, the objective is to get as many people to donate to the “Lambs for School” project. The minimum donation is $10, and duplicate donations from the same individual will only be counted once.

Please donate $10 to the “Lambs for School” project now! Between now and January 31st, 2008, any donation to this project received through the website will help young Burkinabé girls obtain a primary and middle school education.

The impact of winning the Challenge is clear. To date, through the “Lambs for School” project, FBF has supported 1,100 girls enrolled in rural public primary schools and in the College Modern de l’Amitié (a middle school for girls). Over the next 3 years, the project will enable 900 rural girls whose parents cannot afford to send them to school, to enter primary school. At least 80% of the 900 girls will achieve at least 10 years of education, leading to improved child health, lower fertility rates, higher levels of education in the next generation and more effective participation in civil society and the economy

So what can you do to help win the Challenge and meet the project’s goals?
Donate $10 online today
Forward this message to your friends and family, or other appropriate listservs to which you belong
Download the “Lambs for School” project widget and upload this to your website or blog
Add the “Lambs for School” project widget to your Facebook or iGoogle account

FBF has won two other smaller competitions through GG. One was in late 2006 and was offered to National Peace Corps Association affiliate groups and the other was the GG FilmFest. Both were for the Noon Meal Girl’s Education project.

Again, donations must be made online by January 31, 2008 in order to count towards the goal of unique donors. Note that donations made through any other website will not count. Also, please do not create your own fundraiser for this project as the goal is to attract the most unique donors for one project through one fundraiser.

I hope you and others will join in this exciting opportunity, making FBF once again a winner of a GG challenge!

Barka wusugo! Merci beaucoup! Thank you!

Midwest Sanctuary Exhibit

The Midwest Sanctuary group exhibit will feature sculpture, painting, and photography from over 20 Midwest artists including Rabi Sanfo (Burkina Faso), Ute Bertog (Germany), Silvana Ravena (Brazil), Igor Dukic (Sarajevo), Haider Al-Amery (Iraq) and more. Work from TAWU, The Art Within Us, will be featured on in the Q.Underground Gallery during the opening weekend.

Midwest Sanctuary
Artwork by and about the diverse people of the Midwest
January 3-26, 2007

Altered Esthetics
1224 Quincy St. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Gallery Hours
Tuesdays & Thursdays 1 - 7pm
Saturdays 1- 5pm

Opening Reception
Friday, January 4
7pm - 10pm

Postcard features "Dakota March" by Tiffany Eggenberg.

Support "Soul on Ice"

Honoring Black History Month, TAWU will present the largest group exhibition ever on black culture by Minnesota artists. You can be a part of this phenomenal group exhibition!

More than 50 artists will participate in "Soul on Ice: Understanding the value and depth of Black Culture" from February 23-March 24, 2008 at The Soap Factory in Minneapolis. The title of this exhibit is inspired by renowned author and activist Eldridge Cleaver's book "Soul on Ice," which reflects on the turbulent times of the civil rights movement.

Rabi is a member of TAWU (The Art Within Us), a social support, artist development and growth group for African, African-American and artists of color, sponsored by Obsidian Arts. Obsidian Arts is a Minnesota non-profit arts space focused on celebration and development of black artists, arts institutions and artwork.

Your tax deductible contribution can help TAWU put on this historic art exhibit. Your last minute 2007 donation will help TAWU reach its goal of $10,000. Your check can be made payable to "TAWU/Obsidian Arts" and sent to:
Yarbi Design
1224 Quincy St NE Studio B25
Minneapolis, MN 55413

If you or your employer would be interested in sponsoring this event, please let us know and will we send you a sponsor packet.

Expect more information about the opening reception of "Soul on Ice" in January!