Charlottesville, VA – Art created by Bigs and Littles will be on display at CitySpace Gallery with a reception this Friday, June 1st from 5:30 to 7:00pm. The gallery willl feature an exhibit of works created through partnerships with Light House Studio and Piedmont Council for the Arts. This event is FREE and open to the public.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge regularly partners with area organizations and other youth-serving agencies to provide programming for Bigs and Littles. Programs in the arts offer a special opportunity for youth and their mentors to identify skills and strengths that will help them succeed in school, peer relationships and risk avoidance. “Trying new activities together helps Bigs and Littles develop long-lasting relationships built on trust and sharing that have a big impact,” said Jackie Bright, Executive Director. “We know that when a child finds his or her spark or passion, that helps them build the confidence to excel in other areas too, and seeing their works on display will be an exciting opportunity for all of us!”
Light House Studio partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge to offer a six-week course in filmmaking focusing on animation, interviewing and editing. Big and Little matches created films that focused on various themes selected by the students, including “Getting to Know You,” which builds on the unique relationships each match shares. There will be a running loop of selected videos on display. This partnership was made possible by a grant from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charlottesville. For more information about Light House Studio, please visit http://lighthousestudio.org/.
Piedmont Council for the Arts partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Ridge to create “Nature Sculptures.” Big and Little matches recently participated in an Arts Inspire workshop with Patrick Costello, the New City Arts Initiative’s Artist-in-Resident at The Haven. After a discussion of natural landscape and Charlottesville’s green spaces, the group branched out to Lee Park to create temporary sculptures out of materials found in nature. The gallery will feature an exhibit of photographs documenting the “Nature Sculptures” program. This workshop was part of PCA’s Arts Inspire Workshop & Exhibit Series. Arts Inspire is funded by the Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band in the CACF, Celebrate250!, and the Virginia Commission for the Arts. For more information about Piedmont Council for the Arts, please visit http://charlottesvillearts.org/.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Bigs meet with their Little Brother or Little Sister for a few hours a month to share activities that focus on fun and positive youth development. Although the program is currently serving about 90 children in Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville, there is still a waiting list of 100 more children. To learn more about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, contact info@blueridgebigs.org or call 434-244-0882. More information is available at www.blueridgebigs.org.
