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Dave Deland, “Kids might make King’s vision reality,” St. Cloud Times, 1/20/15, http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2015/01/19/deland-column-kids-might-make-kings-vision-reality/22018779/.
Sarah coordinates the art and essay contest and led teaching artist residencies.
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Peter Veljkovich, “Sarah’s story so far,” KVSC Radio, 12/8/14.
http://kvsc.org/podcast_item.php?id=451 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fundraiser in it for the long haul: Chaos in Burkina Faso is just more proof of water need St Cloud, Minnesota, United States—November 6, 2014-- herARTS in Action has a fundraising goal of $11,000 to travel to Burkina Faso at the end of December to implement an assessment for access to clean water and sanitation in Tiebele, Burkina Faso. Although current turmoil demands a delay in travel, there are only 25 days left of the fundraising campaign at http://igg.me/at/withadrop and the efforts won’t be brought to a trickle by recent events. Prior to the protests that broke out last week and subsequent chaos after Burkina Faso President Compaore stepped down and the military stepped in, the Burkinabe people were living in dire conditions. Lack of access to clean water and sanitation, extreme poverty and illiteracy rates, and many more deplorable conditions plagued the nation and will continue to do so. This recent change in power hasn’t deterred herARTS in Action’s founder, Sarah Drake, from the mission to make a difference in the country. In fact, it’s proved to her just how important it is to reach their goals as she doesn’t envision the country making access to water and sanitation a priority anytime soon. herARTS in Action was founded after Drake’s 2011 visit to Tiebele, Burkina Faso and her hospital stay because of the poor sanitation conditions. Sarah has worked in collaboration with the villagers and began the With a Drop water project after researching and finding no other organizations working, nor willing to, in the region. Mere days before the protests began, herARTS in Action launched an Indiegogo fundraising campaign, With a Drop (http://igg.me/at/withadrop). This is the new 501c3 nonprofit’s first fundraiser that offers donors a tax deduction on their donations. The goal is to raise $11,000 ($13,700 on the site to account for prizes, shipping and fees) for Sarah to return to Tiebele and work with the villagers to complete an assessment to know how many wells and toilets are needed, where, materials, contractors, etc. When Drake was in the country it wasn’t known that this information would be needed or that there would be a project, so data was not collected. While a December implementation of the assessment will surely be pushed back until it is deemed safe to travel to Burkina Faso, Sarah is eager to reach the fundraising goal so that the project can commence once cleared. To learn more about With a Drop or make a donation, go to http://igg.me/at/withadrop or visit our website at www.herartsinaction.com. Sarah’s experience in Burkina Faso in her words: In 2011 I visited the West African country of Burkina Faso as an inspired artist. I arrived there with much enthusiasm to create but unaware of the magnitude of the country’s poor living conditions. I quickly learned about the low literacy rate, which is one of the lowest in the world. I also learned that only 11% of the people have access to toilets and 50% have access to clean water. While I knew the region was plagued with poverty, I didn’t realize that it ranked in the top five poorest countries in the world. At some point during my visit I fell ill from the poor sanitation and unsafe water and ended up in the hospital instead of on the plane that was to take me home (I heard the plane take off from my hospital room). Now, bedridden in the hospital with access to care that many Burkinabe didn’t, not only did I know the conditions, I could empathize from firsthand experience their daily struggles to a lack of access to clean water and sanitation. However, just because I saw need through my lens, it didn’t mean Burkina Faso needed me to do anything. By having respectful dialogues, collaboration with the villagers of Tiebele resulted in a decision to bring water and sanitation to the village in order for them to get healthy to attend education and obtain employment. When I returned to the US after a month’s stay, I researched water projects to bring attention to the need in Tiebele. Unfortunately, no organizations were working, nor willing to, in the south central region of Burkina Faso. Inspired by the Burkinabe spirit, I was called to take on the task and started herARTS in Action. My dedication and passion for this work has found me conducting business out of my one bedroom apartment that I share with my 11 year old daughter and local coffee shops. I don't have an art studio, but paint on my living room floor with my daughter next to me working on her own projects. I’ve also had the privilege to partner with Burkinabe artists Harouna Ouedragogo (painter) and Ramde (Tambi) Artistide (sculptor), and I hope to continue partnerships with other artists to create awareness about the work with the village. Sarah’s bio: Sarah Drake is a visual artist who sees art as an educational tool to engage viewers in critical thinking and expand their comfort zones. As a teaching artist she not only uses art as tool in the education process, but allows the space to experiment with and inspire through art. With a mixed media medium, Sarah is able to reuse materials in her creations as part of her education on sustainability. Artworks often include themes that inspire social change, whether in abstract, surreal or representational form. Drake is the founder of herARTS in Action (non-profit) www.herartsinaction.com and Sarah Drake LLC (for-profit) www.sarahdrakeart.com where she is an artist, conducts teaching artist residencies, facilitates trainings and coordinates projects/events. Sarah has exhibited her artwork internationally in New York, Moscow and London, and will in Tokyo next year. Her work has received awards, and she has a piece in the permanent collection at the Marina Tsvetaeva Museum and Cultural Center in Moscow. Sarah has a Master’s of Science degree in Social Responsibility and her undergraduate degree focused on Ethnic Studies and Geography, both from St. Cloud State University, and design diploma from St. Cloud Technical & Community College. For more information, please contact Sarah Drake: Email: [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @herartsinaction and @sarahdrakeart Website: www.herartsinaction.com and www.sarahdrakeart.com Phone: 320-266-4316 ### I am the founder of herARTS in Action and am excited to announce the recent 501c3 nonprofit status given to the organization. That said, it means we are in need of your tax deductible donations. We are running a campaign on Indiegogo until 11/30/14 to raise money for our With a Drop water and sanitation project. Please learn more, donate and share with others: http://igg.me/at/withadrop
http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2014/08/12/event-will-raise-money-family-ebola-victim/13959025/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
International artists collaborate locally to save lives globally St Cloud, MN—August 8, 2014-- Local mixed media artist Sarah Drake launched her new collection, Inspired, on August 1, 2014 at the St Cloud branch of the Great River Regional Library. There is a reception on Thursday, August, 14th, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with an artist talk at 6:30 p.m. The exhibited work was inspired by and also features work of mixed media artist Harouna Ouedraogo. The artists are donating 25% of sales to herARTS in Action’s water project, the Kofa Sawyer Foundation for Infectious Diseases, and Mary Bruno, a local artist recovering from breast cancer. Decontee Sawyer, widow of the first American to die from Ebola, and Mary Bruno will be present at the event. The exhibit is in the main lobby of the Great River Regional Library- St Cloud at 1300 W. St. Germain St. The display is up for the month of August and contains over 20 abstract creations, in addition to 4 pieces of Ouedraogo’s recent work. The library is open 10am-9pm Mondays-Thursdays, 10am-6pm Fridays, 10am-5pm Saturdays and closed Sundays. In 2011, Drake visited Ouedraogo’s home country of Burkina Faso. After working with the women artisans in the village of Tiebele, it forever changed her artistic spirit and creations. Sarah researched Burkinabe art and liked the work by Harouna. When she reached out to him, he was receptive and they began a dialogue about art and the water project she created in collaboration with the villagers. It seemed like a great fit to exhibit works together and donate a percentage of sales to the With A Drop water project by herARTS in Action. When asked about the inspiration for the exhibit, Drake said, “This was an opportunity for me to try something new and continue my exploration with art. I was so honored that Harouna was willing to partner with me and it has inspired future projects with him and other Burkinabe artists to raise the visualization of not only our artwork, but the development work in the village back home.” Earlier this year Drake partnered with another Burkinabe artist, Ramde (Tambi) Artistide, and she hopes to continue partnerships with other artists. Sarah Drake is a visual artist who sees art as an educational tool to engage viewers in critical thinking and expand their comfort zones. As a teaching artist she not only uses art as tool in the education process, but allows the space to experiment with and inspire through art. With a mixed media medium, Sarah is able to reuse materials in her creations as part of her education on sustainability. Artworks often include themes that inspire social change, whether in abstract, surreal or representational form. Drake is the founder of herARTS in Action (non-profit) and Sarah Drake LLC (for-profit) where she is an artist, conducts teaching artist residencies, facilitates trainings and coordinates projects/events. Sarah has exhibited her artwork internationally in New York, Moscow and London, received awards and has a piece in the permanent collection at the Marina Tsvetaeva Museum and Cultural Center in Moscow. She has a Master’s of Science degree in Social Responsibility and her undergraduate degree focused on Ethnic Studies and Geography, both from St. Cloud State University, and design diploma from St. Cloud Technical & Community College. Harouna Ouedraogo is a native of Burkina Faso living and working in France. He has exhibited his work internationally throughout the USA, France and Burkina Faso. He is inspired by roads and society and creates through exploration; not thinking, just freeing the mind and creating. When asked about the Inspired collaboration and making a 20% donation of sales to herARTS in Action, Harouna stated, “I appreciate the project. It’s a good thing for people. I’m honored to be a part of it. Even though I haven’t been to this village [Tiebele], I was raised in a village, so I know what it’s like. Even a little helps to make things better.” For more information, please contact Sarah Drake: Email: [email protected] Facebook/Twitter: @sarahdrakeart and @herartsinaction Website: www.sarahdrakeart.com and www.herartsinaction.com Phone: 320-266-4316 ### http://kvsc.org/archive/news-detail/art-exhibit-to-be-launched-at-great-river-regional-library-this-august-07-31-2014/6149/
Art Exhibit To Be Launched At Great River Regional Library This August 07/31/2014 - 12:30 PM A new art exhibit is coming to St. Cloud for the month of August. The artist, Sarah Drake, tells us about her art and what will be featured. An exhibit reception will take place on Thursday, August 14th, from 5-8 p.m. Visit Sarah's websites to learn more. Jake Laxen, “Outdoor market in St. Cloud embraces global variety,” St. Cloud Times, 7/8/14, http://www.sctimes.com/story/life/food/2014/07/08/new-outdoor-market-st-cloud-embraces-global-variety/12386665/.
http://www.sidwaya.bf/quotidien/spip.php?article20343
Formation à l’art plastique Aristide Ramdé et Sarah Drake ou la complicité artistique 30 mai 2014, par Webmaster De Tiébélé au Burkina Faso à New York aux Etats Unis d’Amérique, l’art n’a pas de frontière. Deux artistes depuis 2011 ont expérimenté le partage culturel et la complicité artistique entre leurs deux pays. Le résultat est plein d’espoir et nourri des projets planétaires. Ils affûtent leurs armes à New York. L’artiste-sculpteur burkinabè, Aristide Ramdé et Sarah Drake, professeur d’art dans l’Etat de Minnesota (USA) et artiste évoluant dans l’art pictural ont quelque chose en partage : leur passion de l’art. Ils se sont créé depuis 2011 un cadre d’expression artistique sous forme de résidence de création artistique à Tiébélé, un village de la Région du Centre-Sud burkinabè. Aux premiers jours de 2014, ils se sont retrouvés à New York pour renforcer leurs compétences non seulement en art plastique, notamment en sculpture et peinture, mais aussi en bain linguistique et culturelle. Aristide est baigné dans l’art depuis le berceau. Son père, Tambi Amadé Ramdé est sculpteur de bronze, un métier qui lui a valu une reconnaissance nationale en 2010. Sur les traces du père, le fils Ramdé a été formé au Centre national des arts et de l’artisanat (CNAA) de 1997 à 2003. A la suite de cette formation, Aristide est devenu lui-même formateur dans l’atelier de son père où travaillent 12 apprentis. Parti aux Etats-Unis où il continue sont apprentissage en sculpture, le néo-professionnel a déjà réalisé des expositions de ses œuvres aux Nuits atypiques de koudougou (NAK) dans son pays d’origine et à New York. Son projet avec Sarah Drake a prit forme lors de la visite de cette dernière à Tiébélé où la peintre s’est sentie galvanisée par les habitations traditionnelles de cette partie du Burkina. Et pour cause, elle a touché du doigt la réalité de cette culture dont elle s’est toujours inspiré dans ses tableaux sans avoir auparavant côtoyé la réalité architecturale. Elle est alors tombée sous le charme « du pays et des Hommes intègres ». Elle a travaillé ardemment avec les femmes du village pour une production abondante d’œuvre d’arts à même de promouvoir l’éducation et le développement durable. De retour aux Etats-Unis, Sarah Drake s’est engagée dans des actions de collecte pour réunir des fonds au profit de l’accès à l’eau potable et à l’assainissement à Tiébélé. Il faut noter qu’elle en a été victime lors de sa première visite dans ce village et avait alors dû rebrousser chemin. Aristide Ramdé et Sarah Drake ont créé un espace de développement de leur art dans leurs pays respectif travaillent ensemble en ce moment sur un projet commun à moyen termes : exposer leurs œuvres au SIAO 2020 et un autre à long terme à savoir exposer en duo sur le plan mondial. Les deux coéquipiers, constituent une source d’inspiration l’un pour l’autre, si bien qu’ils mènent leurs projets artistiques de concert. « Bientôt, très bientôt, nous ferons parler de nous comme des artistes majeurs dans l’univers des arts plastiques dans le monde » a assuré M. Ramdé ; car, « je veux que mes parents soient fière de moi » a-t-il ajouté. Sarah, elle, est pressée de revenir au Burkina Faso pour retrouver ses amies qu’elle considère comme sa seconde famille : « J’ai hâte de voir les projets de développement fleurir à travers herARTS in Action », une structure de collecte de fond pour l’eau et l’assainissement à Tiébélé, a souhaité l’artiste américaine. Thomas Dakin POUYA http://www.sctimes.com/story/entertainment/arts/2014/04/10/artist-hopes-exhibit-will-promote-understanding/7517291/
Sarah Colburn, [email protected] 11:09 p.m. CDT April 9, 2014 Drake has spent years working with immigrants and refugees, working to bridge the cultural gap and creating a welcoming environment for newcomers to the area. Her exhibit is reflective of that experience. |
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