We are gearing up and excited about the Art Against Oppression Awareness Tour coming in just a few weeks. Our website has seen a great amountof traffick and we are getting some great traction nationwide (and quite a few hits globally). I grabbed a screen pic from my stat counter today. Please keep us in prayer as we move forward. This is a major project that has already consumed countless hours of effort. We are looking forward to meeting people passionate about social justice and sharing the message with those who haven't heard.

We are looking for sponsors for the tour as well as the website. Visit the Stats and Sponsor Opps page on the site.

Thanks to all of our host venues and the folks pushing to get the word out about this important tour.

-AH

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My mother, Bonnie, holding me as an infant.

In two days I will turn forty. It’s funny, thinking about how old I used to think forty was. I don’t feel like I am coming up on the end of anything, nor like I am in the middle of something. I feel like I am finally starting.

A few years ago I was frustrated at where I was in life. I mapped out my life events on a timeline and realized almost everything major that had happened in my life had happened to me, not because of me. These things ranged from tragedy to good fortune, but they were externalities, and so I had lived my life reacting instead of acting. In hindsight, these things have forced me to develop some important skills based on the talents I have, but a skill developed in hasty reaction is like child labor, it gets the work done in violation of principle.

I decided that was not the model I would choose to follow any longer and, thankfully one thing that happened on purpose was marrying Tinakay, my wife was willing to see the shift happen. I decided to do what I am.

In all of the variables of my life as long as I can remember there has been one constant in my life: art.

A thief isn’t a thief because he steals; he steals because he is a thief. In the same way, we are not artists because we create art. It is in us and compels us, but we spend so much time doing what life demands, that we can’t respond to the art inside us demanding life.

I have the spent the last two years prepping the canvas so Life, get ready to look like what’s in my head.

If you had planned on giving me a gift (as if I should presume) I would appreciate nothing more than a small donation (or a large one if you are inclined) to one of many of the ways I am going to work on bringing art to life. Here's the link:http://igg.me/p/80392?a=271835

Godspeed.

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We are getting global hits, however, this is a focused view of the United States. Our site stat counter is reporting 1075 visitors since 04/08/2012. We are getting a lot of views on the Coasts and have been working to create traction in the Midwest and Southwest.

If you would like to sponsor our site with an ad please contact Armando@heredia.ws. We need the funds to fuel our Art Exhibit Tour. Visit ArtAgainstOppression.com and consider sponsoring. The funds will literally go into our gas tank and fuel the Awareness 2012 Tour.

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This tour is coming soon. We've added a couple of local venues and lost a couple due to cancellations. We're still working on adding one-day venues including youth services, art shows and open mic nights. YOU can help us cover the cost of fuel by helping us Pay at the Pump.

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The Freedom Series was the first official Art Against Oppression endeavor. This was visual artist Armando Heredia's response to the social and political oppression in Syria.

"The image of a people being destroyed by their own government for seeking the freedom that I enjoy was so impacting to me. Several of the events there moved me , but none as much as an article about a twelve year old boy who was brutally murdered by the government. As the father of a twelve year old (at the time) I was literally dumbstruck. I did three pieces of work and felt compelled to share them and create dialogue with people about this travesty. This series has hung in several venues, one for only 48 hours of its planned one month exhibit. The venue was a nice restaurant and the room the exhibit was in was relatively small. The series completely dominated the room and the customers were understandably disturbed by the images. To me, that was a very successful show." -Armando 

Below is an interview that aired on Fox2 News in St. Louis, MO. that features the series and delves a little into the motivation for Art Against Oppression.

*Artist's Note: "A little rough on the pronunciation of Heredia, but I am thankful for the coverage. I was actually only in one foster home. Tom and Beverly took my older brother and I in and treated us like displaced princes. We  went back and forth between family after that."

This series is part of the Awareness Tour and raises awareness about political and social injustice and an organization called The International Justice Mission.

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Purchase a print of Boy Like Me, a Falling Whistles inspired charcoal on paper. 100% of the profit from these prints purchased in May and June will go toward funding the Art Against Oppression 2012 Awareness Tour. http://artagainstoppression.com/awareness-2012/

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Benefit Concert/Exhibit May 25-26 | Aisle 1 Gallery 2627 Cherokee Street, Saint Louis, MO 63118 Benefit Concert Featuring Palace with Ramblin' Pan and Scarlet Tanager. Tickets are $10 for Friday night. Pre-Buy Your Ticket.

Saturday the gallery is open and free to the public

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Detail | Tree of Life | 3" x 12" x 12" | Mixed Media | STARK Series

I was wrapping up in Starbucks this morning when a lady approached and asked if I was Armando. She, was down from Chicago for a couple of days and had seen the art hanging in Starbucks where I am showing and told herself if I was here when she came in again she was going to buy it. So, she bought it.

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This is the current route (as of 04/22) we will be taking on our Art Against Oppression Tour in June. We are looking for venues during the week and in between our anchor events. If you are a youth/student pastor or art group on this route or near it, this would be a great exhibit/concert to bring in. Check out our website: http://artagaintoppression.com for more information.

Here's a list of the confirmed venues:

May 25-26 | Aisle 1 Gallery
2627 Cherokee Street, Saint Louis, MO 63118
Benefit Concert Featuring Palace with Ramblin’ Pan, The Original Intent and More. Friday night – $10 Cover
Saturday the gallery is open and free to the public

June 8-10 | LifePoint
319 E 4th St Loveland, CO 80537-5603
http://theLifePointChurch.com

 June 14-17 | Oasis Art Park
101 Harry Pierce Rd – Saint John, WA 99171
Oasis Art Park 

June 22-24 | New Life Bible Church
200 E 1st Street - Mesa, AZ 85201
http://mesanewlife.com/

June 25-27 | Navajo County
200 N. 2nd St. – Holbrook, AZ 86025

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Child Soldier (Detail) by Armando Heredia | Falling Whistles Exhibit

Inhuman Malice by Jonathan Schellhardt | Falling Whistles Exhibit

Art Against Oppression pieces, "Child Soldier" and a new print from the Freedom Series titled SYRIA: The Price of Freedom by Armando Heredia and Inhuman Malice by Jonathan Schellhardt were accepted into the SWIC Student show and will be on exhibit at the Schmidt Art Center in Belleville, IL.

The exhibit opens Thursday, April 19 with a reception from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. and will run through May 3, 2012.

Schmidt Art Center | 2500 Carlyle Avenue
Belleville, IL 62221 | (618) 222-5ART

Hours of Operation
Mon & Tues: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wed: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thurs: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri & Sat: 11am – 5 p.m.

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I am a pastor. I am and artist. I am an activist.

Sorry for the very narcissistical introduction, but I have been seeing these things begin to merge and I am not sure if I should be concerned.

This summer I will be traveling with a group of artists to raise awareness of social issues like slavery, child abuse and oppression. Is that something I should see separate from my identity as a Christian? This endeavor will take me away from the local congregation I co-pastor for up to six weeks.

On the other hand, we will be speaking at churches and in homes, to Christians and non-Christians, not just raising awareness but calling good people to action. Is that the work of the church?

Please feel free to comment. I am not posting this as a rhetorical statement. Are you an activist, a pastor, an artist? Where do you draw the distinction between one and the other? Or do you?

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I want to talk to you about the “F” word.

This summer I will be traveling with fellow Art Against Oppression visual and musical artists. We will be making a trip that encompasses over ten states and in excess of 5,000 miles.

We are relatively unknown working people driven by a passion to use our talent to make an impact on our world. Our goal is to raise awareness about important issues AND point people to organizations that are already working in those areas so they can get involved.

We want to go, and we want to come back. So we need something.

I am about to drop the f-bomb. Here it is… funding.

We need food and fuel. We need funding.

Will you consider buying a mile for $1.00? How about fifty miles?

Go to our campaign page and donate. We will be forever thankful and you will help us fulfill our mission.

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We added some great new art by Christian Burkett, news about a regional art exhibit that two of our visual artists are showing work from our Falling Whistles Exhibit and information about our upcoming Awareness 2012 traveling exhibit. Visit http://artagainstoppression.com for more details and see new art work.

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The Blum House, part of the Mississippi Valley Library District and former home of the Blum family, owners of the Blum Cowbell Factory from 1876-1956, was built circa 1900. This home was donated to the Collinsville Library and has been used primarily as a rental facility for individuals and community functions.

This historic venue can be a significant part of the revitalization of Uptown Collinsville by transforming it into an Art Gallery with low cost Art Studio Spaces available for area artists and artisans. There are multiple artists, crafters and artisans that reside in and around the Collinsville area. The Blum House has the potential to offer low-rent studio space (upstairs) as well as one of the best venues for an art gallery (main floor) in Collinsville.

This can be done with minimal changes to the venue while maintaining the Blum House’s integrity and historic significance. This will also generate an influx of traffic on a daily basis into the gallery and Uptown Collinsville; not to mention creating a community location for artistic expression and as part of the Library System, a regional art resource center.

See the full gallery on Posterous

The studios will be shared, semi-private or private spaces and will be available in three levels:

1.      Daily Rental.

A.      The 6’ x 13’ Mezzanine area will be available for daily rental with a four (4) day consecutive rental maximum at $10 for four (4) hours (available during official business hours only). (Studio 1)

2.      Leased Space.

A.      Shared studios (with 3 or more artists) are available on a three (3) month lease. This includes Studios 2 and 3 on the diagram.

B.      Semi-Private Studios (with up to 2 artists) are available on a 3 month lease unless an artist wants to rent both slots in the room and use it as a private studio. In this case the studio lease will require a six (6) month commitment. This includes Studios 4 and 6 on the diagram.

C.      Private studios (with only one (1) artist) are available on a six (6) month lease. This includes Studio 5 (exclusive as a private studio) and could include Studios 2 and 6 on the diagram if an artist rents both slots in those rooms.

D.     Each artist/lessee will work 3 hours per week in the gallery. 

E.      Lease Amounts

a.      Studio 1 - $10 for 4 hours (Daily rental)

b.      Studio 2* - $51 per month each for 2 Artists or $102 per month for an individual artist.

c.       Studio 3 - $56 per month each for 3 Artists

d.      Studio 4 - $43 per month each for 3 artists

e.      Studio 5* - $84 per month for an individual artist

f.        Studio 6* - $48 per month each for 2 artists or $96 per month for an individual artist.
*Space can be leased as a private studio.

3.      Lease renewal

A.      A lease can be renewed on any of the available studios (with exception of the daily rental area) at the discretion of the Blum House Management if there is not a waiting list. If there is a waiting list the lessee will vacate the studio at the end of his/her lease and can reapply to the waiting list.  Please see lease agreement for lease details.

4.      Gallery Hours and Staff

A.      The main floor with its Victorian design and arched walkways, with the addition of some modular, movable gallery walls, has the perfect layout. The house has a fully functional kitchen which allows for the possibility of a coffee bar/light lunch menu to the area. Not to mention the possibility of culinary art classes and offerings.

B.    The gallery will be open:

1.      Wednesday through Thursday 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm

2.      Friday 1:00 – 5:00 pm

3.      Saturday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

C.   The gallery will be available for private art events such as workshops and/or exhibits on Friday and Saturday evenings.

5.      Exhibit and Commissions

A.   Studio artists (resident) will be charged a 15% commission on work that sells through the gallery. Other artists (non-resident) who exhibit will be charged a 25% commission on any work that sells through the gallery, unless a specific show or gallery event is set at a different commission rate, which will be subject to pre-approval from the gallery curator.

6.      Venue and Community Impact

A.   The art gallery will become a recognized venue in the greater St. Louis Metro art community. The resident artists will have a place to exhibit their work and exhibit space, art shows and art events will be available for regional artists. The resident artists will be able to sell their work in the gallery with a 15% commission; non-resident artists will be charged 25% commission.

B.   The Blum House will also be the home of a regional art group that hosts shows and exhibits and partners with existing community organizations to offer classes, workshops to the public, as well as art camps for Collinsville area youth. This will be a fantastic way to promote art and education in this community and to the entire region.

7.      Future Projects

A.   There is also a secondary building behind the house, which, with some repair, would be an excellent place for wood working, casting and other artisan/craftsman endeavors. It has two open-air bays that will be perfect for work that needs more ventilation, especially in the warmer months.

8.      Summary

A.   This project will be part of the catalyst for an art renaissance in Collinsville, making it the go to place for artists and craftsmen as well as the art connoisseur. It will also be a great addition to the Metro East art community.

Authors Note:

I need your input. If you are an artist, how does the idea of a shared studio space strike you? Are the prices reasonable, the 3 hours per week, etc? As an art lover/collector, how does the idea of resident artists with gallery/exhibition space grab you? Do the gallery hours seem sufficient?

 Prepared by Armando Heredia, Collinsville resident, Art Activist, and Curator.

Visit http://www.heredia.ws for more information.

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Just a few pics from this evening. I will post more later.

See the full gallery on Posterous

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This has been a great year so far for exhibiting my work. As of tonight I have art in four different cities in the region.

The "A Million Years in 180 Days" reclamation series is being exhibited at Grace Manor Seasonal Restaraunt in Edwardsville, IL.

The Freedom Series is being exhibited at the SWIC Sam Wolfe Granite City Campus Library in Granite City, IL.

See the full gallery on Posterous

I installed two pieces Child Soldier from the Falling Whistles Series and The Party Dress from the STARK Series, at Art St. Louis in St.Louis, MO on Saturday, March 3 for the Varsity XVI exhibit.

See the full gallery on Posterous

.I installed two pieces, The Tree of Life and Life Decomposite from the STARK Series, at the Collinsville Starbucks on Tuesday, March 5th. This is going to be a great opportunity for area artists. If you are interested in showing at this location let me know.

I am thankful for the opportunity to share my work at these venues.

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The fee for the workshop will include:

1 qty. 2' x 4' Styrofoam (3" thick)

1 roll of mesh tape

10 lbs. Hydraulic Cement

1 Set of disposable putty knives

1 Soldering Iron

Participants will need to provide any paint they would like to use. I usually go to paint stores/Wal-Mart and purchase the mis-tints, these are paints that were special ordered and not purchased. They are typically sold at up to half price. Purchase only water based latex or acrylic.

Participants are welcome to bring found objects that they would like to incorporate into their project.

Each participant will be given instructions for preparing for the workshop in advance.

The fee will be $75 for a 4 hour session.

Contact me at armando@heredia.ws if you are interested in participating.

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See the full gallery on Posterous

The first Art Against Oppression Falling Whistles Exhibit was a great success. Ramblin' Pan performed a great concert and both Jonathan Schellhardt and Armando Heredia spoke about their art. A video presentation about Falling Whistles gave great insight into the work that they are doing to bring peace to the Congo.

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I am excited about a new series, "Stark" that I am developing. This series will focus on high contrast bold images and sculpture. Here is the first in the series.

See the full gallery on Posterous

There will be a total of twelve pieces in this series.

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