Featured Artist of the Month, October 2011 - "Dianne K. Webb"

VOX is proud to introduce Artist of the Month, October 2011 - "Dianne K. Webb"

As an artist, I am preoccupied with the experience of self-awareness, of awakening new ideas and thoughts within the psyche, of visually bringing to the surface that which we often do not see or consider.

I believe that art is a dance, a communication between artist and viewer...a statement laid bare until picked up and incorporated into a new narrative. As I work, I want to find myself exploring new perspectives—I want to feel uneasy, jarred, contemplative, or reflective as images, colors, textures clash or meld. I am fascinated by the moment of “ah ha!” Of “really?”

Technically, I paint in oils or ink on canvas, applying pigments with brushes and palette knife, sometimes using rice paper or gesso, plaster, modeling compound, or found objects to build texture or depth. Colors are mixed on a palette or directly onto the piece. I work from the mind’s eye to the canvas—each piece wholly constructed there—at times I work furiously with a clear intention, at other times I move slowly into the piece with a vague idea—working what is known, backing off and studying it, then continuing At present I am experimenting with three dimensional surfaces that can be hung on a wall as a base for paintings, palate knife work, and mixed media pieces.

Check out Dianne Webb's Gallery


Upcoming Show :

2011 Annual Art on the Avenue

• Winter Street Studios
• Preview Night: November 10th, 2011
• Auction and Party: Saturday, November 12th, 2011
• http://avenuecdc.org/art-on-the-avenue

Artcrawl Houston 2011

• Erie City Iron Works Building on Nance
• November 19th
• http://www.artcrawlhouston.com

More info about Dianne Webb at
www.diannekwebb.com
Spacetaker Page
Twitter

October Newsletter: SEARCH & Salsa Dance Night

a."Pack and Deliver" Film Screening Recap
b. Vox Conspiracy Follow-Up Discussion
c. 11/12 "Knock Your Socks Off" Salsa Night
d. 12/3 SEARCH Holiday Party
e. Dianne Webb Featured Artist Showcase
f.  Support Vox Partner Events Around Town
g. Call for Volunteers

a) "PACK AND DELIVER" FILM SCREENING RECAP

What a great September of raising awareness about trafficking in our community. Thank you Erica Fletcher (local researcher/filmmaker), Ad Deum Dance Company, Jeff Montgomery (local artist), Kristen Carr (Not for Sale Campaign) and our Vox Team for an educational and engaging film screening of "Pack and Deliver".

As audience member, Naoko Fu, states, "Vox Screening was an informative night. Erica's film gave me a real glimpse into the challenges anti-trafficking organization and legislatures face in Houston as well as all across our nation. The dance was moving and the diverse audience prompted some great discussions after the film. I enjoyed hearing people's thoughts and became more aware of how I can fight human trafficking by the small decisions I make daily."

b) VOX CONSPIRACY FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION

The film talk-back unearthed many facets of the issue on human trafficking. Interested in exploring and diving deeper in discussion about the cause? Join the Vox Conspiracy group over a cup of coffee to debrief the film event. Contact judy.feng@accesslive.org for details.

============

For the next couple of months, Vox will be turning our focus to the issue of homelessness.  This issue is very much tied in with trafficking as the vulnerability of the homeless make easy targets for pimps and traffickers. We will learn more about this together as we plan and grow in partnership with SEARCH Homeless Services, our cause partners for the next two events.

SEARCH's mission is work to engage, stabilize, educate, employ and house individuals and families who are homeless. Their essential services are highly effective in transforming lives and providing what people need to get off the streets and back on their feet. In 2010 alone, 9,692 (1 in 4 people who experienced homelessness in Houston) were engaged and helped by SEARCH.

c) 11/12 "KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF" SALSA NIGHT - Benefiting SEARCH

Vox will be hosting a TUBE-SOCK DRIVE for our homeless friends at a fun and exciting dance event. Instructors from the Texas Salsa Congress will be teaching a lesson during the first part of the night, then it's open dancing. So put on your CRAZY SOCKS, dancing shoes and join us for salsa / western swing / hip hop!

Date: Saturday, November 12

Time: 7:30PM-11:30PM

Location: Vox Culture Warehouse - 8570 Katy Freeway, Suite 116. Houston TX 77024

Admission: One pack of tube-socks to support the drive or $7.00 entry fee
Wear your craziest socks to the event in the spirit of the theme!

*CALL FOR ARTISTS*: Vox is looking for urban art and/or pieces that address the issue of homelessness. Want to showcase your work? Fill out the application and email submissions by Friday, October 28

d) 12/3 SEARCH HOLIDAY PARTY

Celebrate the seasons! SEARCH staff, Phoebe Wong, describes, "The site where Vox will be throwing a Holiday Party is a permanent housing facility for formerly homeless people called Jackson Hinds Garden.  Many of the residents, although they have a roof over their heads, continue to struggle with issues that plagued them when they were on the streets: untreated mental illness, substance abuse, financial instability, and lack of social support, to name a few. 

The Holiday Party is going to be a fun, exciting breath of fresh air for the residents at Jackson Hinds. For a community that has experienced deep trauma, marginalization, and voicelessness in society, having a group of people come in to spend the day with them will mean a lot.  This is a great opportunity for Vox to learn hands-on about the nuances of homelessness and to make a difference in a very personal and creative way!"

Date: Saturday, December 3

Time: 9:00AM-2:00PM

Mark your calendars. More details to come. Interested in helping to plan the party? Email Alissa.Kit@voxculture.org

============

e) DIANNE WEBB FEATURED ARTIST

"I am preoccupied with the experience of self-awareness, of awakening new ideas and thoughts within the psyche, of visually bringing to the surface that which we often do not see or consider." - Dianne K. Webb. Visit Dianne's featured page: check out her interview with Vox, online gallery and upcoming events!

============

f) SUPPORT OUR VOX PARTNERS AT EVENTS AROUND TOWN

1. BREAKFREE 2011 Bounty Edition: Remember our b-boy friends from the Break for Japan event in April? They opened the Break Free Community Center that focuses on building a positive youth community utilizing Hip Hop Culture. Check out the battles this weekend Oct 8-9 to support their initiative! RSVP on Facebook.

2. Free the Captives "Reducing the Demand" Campaign Launch: There will always be human trafficking as long as there are people who are purchasing individuals for sexual exploitation. FTC will be hosting a meeting to discuss trafficking, who the buyers are, and how we can get local government officials to focus on the demand side. Get involved: Saturday, Oct 15 from 3-5PM @ Houston's First Baptist Church. RSVP on Facebook.

============

g) CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Vox is looking for volunteers who are interested in helping at the Nov Salsa Night and planning the Dec Holiday Party. Email Alissa.Kit@voxculture.org to get involved!

Thanks for your help in combining the voices of creativity and cause...
Alissa Kit | Director

Use Htown Bingo to Report Human Trafficking

The following article is from a new friend I met at Tedx Houston a few months ago.  Eric is launching a mobile app, combining creativity and cause.  Check out his story and support his site!  - Ted

Still feeling sore the day after I finished my sprint triathlon, I decided to check out the ‘VIP’ massage parlor in the shopping center down the street. Thighs feeling tight, calves sore, entire body in need of a massage, I was ready to lie on the massage table and relax for an hour while a therapist helped released the tension in my body. Walked in, windows were completely black by the way, and were greeted by three women with smiles on their face. Funny, they did not have on the traditional white pants and shirt that massage therapists wear. Instead they were all wearing robes.

After giving them a nice nod, one of the women led me to one of the rooms available. We walked in and after shutting the door, she asked me what I would like. “Just a regular massage” I answered. “We don’t do that here” she replied. “This is a massage place right?” “No…. you know what this is.”

Shocked and bummed, I immediately left. I was in anticipating a good massage and learned that this was a place where sex trafficking took place. Since then, I have noticed other ‘massage parlors’ that look similar while driving around the Houston area. They are not hidden down some farm road miles from the city, but actually in locations next to businesses and retailers. Down the street from schools and churches. Within walking distance from fire and police stations.

I don’t know how these places can be allowed to exist in our cities and towns. Maybe it’s because we don’t say anything or do anything about them. But now there is an easy way to report these ‘suspicious’ sex trafficking parlors from your Smartphone. By using your camera on your phone to take a photo of the building, and typing a brief description about what you see, it takes just a few seconds to report this issue using your mobile phone. Once reported, city departments such as the Mayor’s office, police department, and neighborhood watch groups, can view the report and do something about it. Moreover, your neighbors you can even voice their opinion about such issues as well. To learn more and download this free app, please visit HtownBingo.com.

Article written by Eric Melchor, native Houstonian

September Newsletter: Human Trafficking Awareness Month

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH

 

September is Houston's Human Trafficking Awareness Month (HTAM). "Human Trafficking is a crime against humanity. It involves an act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving a person through a use of force, coercion or other means, for the purpose of exploiting them." Many people do not realize that trafficking happens right in our own backyard (Houston's Hidden Problem). Join Vox and other organizations around the city this month to learn more about the issue and ways to get involved.

9/24 "PACK AND DELIVER" FILM SCREENING

In support of this iniative, Vox will be hosting a film screening and talk-back with local researcher/film-maker, Erica Fletcher.

Event: Pack and Deliver Film Night + Talk-back

Date: Saturday, September 24

Time: 7:00PM-9:00PM

Location: Vox Culture Warehouse - 8570 Katy Freeway, Suite 116

FREE Admission

RSVP on Facebook

As Vox continues to build a culture of advocacy, our hope is to draw Creatives and our community into a deeper awareness and understanding of the issues around us and work together to be a voice for those unheard. The talk-back is designed to help Creatives explore how we can use our art and stories to inspire others for the cause. Questions we will be discussing include:

• How can we more thoughtfully raise awareness on human trafficking? What improvements can we make to Houston's social service system for survivors of trafficking?
• How can artists portray human trafficking and sell their work without further objectifying or commodifying the people they ultimately intend to help?
• What is the role of art, film, etc in anti-trafficking initiatives? 

CALL FOR ARTISTS: Do you have pieces that address the issue of human trafficking and/or showcase the human spirit? We want to display your work! Please fill out the APPLICATION and email submissions to Alissa.Kit@voxculture.org by Wed, September 14.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: Continue to visit our website for opportunities to be a catalyst 

EVENTS IN SUPPORT OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH

September is filled with events, trainings and volunteer opportunities around the city that help raise awareness and educate about the issues of trafficking. Visit our friends at Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition and Free the Captives to check out their efforts and calendar of events.

Let us stand together to fight against trafficking!

Alissa, Director 

"Pack and Deliver" Film Screening + Talk-Back (FREE)

In support of Houston's Trafficking Awareness Month, join Vox for a film screening + talk-back with researcher/film-maker, Erica Fletcher.

Time: Saturday, September 24 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Vox Culture Warehouse
RSVP on Facebook: click

A city of transportation, Houston has been called an international hub of sex trafficking. From its airports, highway systems, and cargo ports, the city has seen an influx of international and domestic traffickers who smuggle in people to be sold as slaves in the labor and sex industries. In light of recent legislation defining this issue and providing federal funding to survivors of trafficking, this film explores the roles and collaborative practices of social service agencies in Houston aiding these individuals. 

As Vox continues to build a culture of advocacy, our hope is to draw Creatives and our community into a deeper awareness and understanding of the issues around us and work together to be a voice for those unheard. The talk-back is designed to help Creatives explore how we can use our art to inspire others for the cause.

Erica's Blog: http://ericafletcher.weebly.com/blog.html