February is here!
This year seems intent on going even faster than its predecessors and we're intent on keeping up with it. We took the month of January to make a few changes and add a few services, as we continue to maneuver our way through pandemic induced new realities. Even as I sit home now, counting down the last days of quarantine, I want to say kudos to my assistant and EAST YARD Creative Associate, Dominique Roy, for holding down the fort so skillfully these past few weeks.
February is indeed off to a brilliant start and one of the major developments has been the re-purposing of East Studio, our gallery space that opened in 2020 into a full fledged micro-event space which is now managed by Joki One and just kicked-off with an intimate concert hosted by Freetown Collective.
Our non-profit arm CFAFF/For Common Good's youth programs are well in train and will present a powerful youth photographic exhibition this month in collaboration with NoFilter.
A very important aspect of our work is also the support services we offer to creative entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations through EY Creative. This month, we are honored and excited to be working with Habitat for Humanity(R) Trinidad & Tobago to roll out their SHElter - A Land Empowerment Campaign for Women from which inspired our upcoming 'She Is' art exhibition.
I look forward to seeing you soon at one of our events and also wish you a happy and safe Carnival season. Remember that whatever you do, please observe the necessary protocols to stay healthy while enjoying yourselves.
Have a wonderful month!
Kevon Foderingham
Founder, EAST YARD
@_eastyard
www.eastyard.org
Cover Image: Tempestuous Celestial by AJ Rogers.
Below: Kevon Foderingham at East Studio
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She Is
EAST YARD is excited to invite you to our exhibition “She Is…” inspired by “SHElter” the upcoming Habitat for Humanity(R) Trinidad and Tobago campaign which seeks to inform the general public about the relationship between women’s ownership of land to economic empowerment, food security and poverty reduction. Habitat’s ‘SHElter’ campaign includes a petition to generate 4000 signatures in support of more private, public and civil sector facilities, educational opportunities, resources and programs to be made available for the empowerment of women to become landowners.
EAST YARD, through our EY Creative services division is excited to be working with Habitat to roll out their campaign and also excited to support the narrative that the improvement of women’s overall access to critical resources (including land ownership) is key to addressing barriers that restrict their ability to reach their full economic potential. We will showcase artwork that tells a story that centers on increasing women’s participation in the workforce and supporting women's entrepreneurship.
"She Is," opens at East Studio at 6pm on February 26th, 2022 and runs until March 5th, 2022. Featured artists include AJ Rogers, Gary Martin, Tracie Rogers, Walda Waithe, Darnell Mathias-Harewood, Carrisa Bruce and more.
Tempestuous Celestial by AJ Rogers.
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NoFilter x For Common Good presents What Matters
NoFilter is a youth engagement project that uses photography to empower and acknowledge the voices of our young people. “Through photography we can see the ways in which adolescents are using this platform to take difficult emotions and turn them into motivation, drive, and determination, to become activists and make a difference, in ways that can provide a sense of purpose that can carry through a lifetime. Even in times of crisis, youth are taking social media and creating a space that brings attention to the issues we are facing in society today in order to create real change for a better future for us all” - says Liza Yunis, NoFilter Project Lead.
The NoFilter pilot project ran from March to August 2021 and partnered with the Art Therapy Association of Trinidad and Tobago; the Trinidad and Tobago Photographic Society; and Aukrum Burton, Executive Director at the Kentucky Centre for African American Heritage to successfully tutor 13 young people from Athens Academy and the Sangre Grande Development Foundation in photography basics which each participant applied to their personal reflections.
The students held a powerful virtual version of this exhibition at the For Common Good, Global Arts for Social Change Festival in August 2021 and showcased images reflecting various personal themes and issues that mattered to them and now invite you to see their work in person at EAST YARD from February 18-27, 2022 as they look forward to your very valuable acknowledgement and support of their curiosity, courage and talent.
NoFilter was developed as an independent initiative coming out of the For Common Good, Arima x Louisville Exchange - implemented by local non-profit CFAFF/For Common Good with partner, World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, funded by the US Embassy Port-of-Spain.
Opening Reception
Date/Time: Friday, February 18, 2022 - 6pm-9pm
Location: East Studio 27 Prince Street, Arima
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A Space for the Arts
Established in December 2020 as an independent contemporary art gallery, East Studio has now become a dedicated micro-event space within EAST YARD, managed by Joki One. It offers an Art Gallery; In-house Events; Co-Working; Private Hire; Snack & Beverage Concession; and the East Gourmet corner - which displays locally created artisanal products for sale.
This vibrant creative space is also an outlet for others to sell their work, run workshops and classes as well as providing meeting and networking opportunities.
The repurposed East Studio relaunched on February 13th with its first event - a concert hosted by Freetown Collective, the first leg of their nationwide tour.
Our intimate venue is now open for bookings for events, shows, exhibits, workshops, classes, meetings, rehearsals etc.
For Bookings/Info
Email: info@eastyard.org
Instagram: @_eaststudio
Phone: +1 868 620-1331
Photos from Freetown's event courtesy photographer, Jordon Briggs.
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