Concord’s Multicultural Festival

The Women’s Caucus for Art/New Hampshire Chapter (WCA/NH) Concord’s Multicultural Festivalon June 19, 2010. WCA/NH volunteer members set up an interactive art experience for all ages in front of the Capitol Building, in Concord, NH.

Using sidewalk chalk, folks of all ages and abilities were encouraged to create sidewalk artwork around the festival with simple symbols such as spirals, hand prints, and hearts, which have universal meanings across many cultures. WCA/NH also offered a small folded book (make-and-take) that explained the use of the multi-cultural symbols as expressions of peace, love, and friendship. 

In addition, WCA/NH members assisted with a collaborative weaving project that can be displayed in downtown Concord after the festival is over. The weaving was done with various recycled materials using old bicycle wheels as a loom. Because weaving is a traditional craft in many cultures, this hands-on experience symbolizes the weaving of cultures within the Concord community. WCA/NH hopes the weaving will be a reflection of the many hands from many places working together to create community within Concord. 

The Circle Program

— by Cilla Sheehan
The Circle Program, a three week NH Camp and year-round one-on-one mentoring program for at-risk girls aged 11 to 14, and the NH Woman’s Caucus for Art is a perfect collaboration. On Saturday, May 8th, 2010, five WCA artists led workshops for Circle Program girls and their mentors. The Circle Program strives to encourage and support adolescent girls, who experience educational, environmental, emotional or financial disadvantages, to achieve success in life.
The WCA art activities helped to expand the girls’ world, introduce them to successful women artists and increase their self-confidence and self-esteem through successful art creations. The mentors joined in the fun and modeled risk taking and collaboration.

The four activities included Creating Guardian Dolls, led by Kathryn Antyr; Creating/exchanging Artists’ Trading Cards, led by Elizabeth Towle and Cilla Sheehan; Do The Math, led by Sue Whittaker, which looked at artist tips and tricks for drawing and perspective; and Positive Message Magnets led by Heidi Little. Everyone had a great time, and the WCA/NH artists were invited to the camp to work with the girls during the summer residency portion of the program.

The WCA goals of empowering women and exposing women to art educational opportunities were clearly met in a practical, enjoyable way with this Circle Program project collaboration.