Bronze Training in Ouagadougou

Rabi and his twin brother Philippe participated in a bronze training during our recent visit to Ouaga. Their schoolmates Hamidou and Harouna are bronziers at the Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou. With Hamidou and Harouna's patience and guidance, they learned the lost-wax casting process.



If you're in the neighborhood, give them a call at 76-67-31-08 or 76-04-77-32. Merci beaucoup Hamidou et Harouna!

Spiritual Art Delivered

"You of Little Faith" travelled across the pond last month, thanks to the generosity of Nick and Rosie. It will stay on display chez Sanfo, meaning it was a gift for Rabi's mom back in Burkina Faso.

Be sure to check out this year's Spiritual Art Show. Rabi won't be participating this year, but we still want to support our dear friends!

2008 Spiritual Art Show

Salvation Army

2727 Central Ave NE

Minneapolis, MN 55418

March 9-14

3-7pm

Soul On Ice

Soul On Ice

Understanding the value and depth of Black Culture

The Soap Factory
518 2nd St. SE

Minneapolis, MN 55414

Feb 23 - Mar 23, 2008

Opening Reception
Saturday, Feb 23, 2008
7-11pm

Honoring Black History Month the Soap Factory presents the largest group exhibition on Black Culture by Minnesota artists of color.

The title was inspired by author and activist Eldridge Cleaver, from his book “Soul on Ice”, reflecting on the turbulent times of the civil rights movement from which he built a culture consciousness which is still active in our lives today.

Soul on Ice will be a rare opportunity to view an exhibition of over sixty Minnesota artists of color, an exciting and chilling art experience. The Soul on Ice exhibition will literally be a chilling new art experience, as the Soap Factory Gallery will not be heated during the run of the show. Visitors and attendees will need to bundle up wearing winter gear while viewing Stone Cold Art.

Soul On Ice is curated by Pat Phillips and the TAWU (The Art Within Us) artist group sponsored by Obsidian Arts. TAWU artists regularly develop and participate in group and individual exhibits, art-history based educational programs and events.

Artist Discussions

Obsidian Arts

734 E Lake St #220

Minneapolis, MN 55407

"The Ethical Contract and Grants and Fellowships for Artists"

Led by Ernest Bryant. Available at the discussion will be a grants package compiled by Seitu Jones.

March 8th, 2008

2-4pm

"Black Culture Talk"

Open discussion with community leaders on the subjects of raising culture consciousness, the future of culture through our children, and cultural leadership.

March 22nd, 2008

2-4pm

Soul Eater
Found objects
12.5 x 4.25

20th Annual Multicultural Forum on Workplace Diversity

For the first time, the University of St. Thomas will be giving out the Friend of the Forum and Winds of Change awards at its Multicultural Forum. Rabi created these inaugural sculptures.

St. Paul RiverCentre
175 West Kellogg Boulevard

St. Paul, MN 55102

Feb 20-21, 2008

Awards presented Feb 21st at 1pm

Mother Earth
Steel
20"

"Unity (Umoja)" Exhibit

“Unity” (Umoja)

Hennepin County Government Center
300 S Sixth St
Tunnel Gallery
Minneapolis, MN 55487

Feb 1-29, 2007
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This group exhibit, celebrating Black History Month, includes work by TAWU artists.

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?