Art and Activism

Posted by on November 14, 2003

[from the Bryn Mawr School of Social Work Advocates Forum]

Hello to all,

After a long hiatus we are back and would like to invite you to a discussion with Robin Valicenti.

What: Art and Activism: Social Awareness, Postmodern Art, Activism, Discourse and Politics
Where: CeaseFire PA, The Borse Building, Lower Level (below the food court)
111 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA 19106
When: Thursday December 4, from 6-8 PM
Light refreshments will be served.

The purpose of the Advocates Forum is to be able to talk about interests of shared concern and so we thank Robin Valicenti for giving us this opportunity to talk about art and activism (see description below) as well as learn more about CeaseFire PA. We are tentatively planning for two more meetings, one in the winter to discuss funding for non-profits and one for the spring to discuss voting and voter registration. These are both topics that several forum members have raised and we would like help in planning these meetings. Please respond to me and let me know if you are interested in working on either of these topics or have suggestions regarding either meeting (i.e. which funding agencies you might want to hear from). We also welcome suggestions for any other topics that you wish to hear or share your own knowledge about.

Please pass on the invitation to anyone who might be interested.

Art and Activism: social Awareness, Postmodern Art, Activism, Discourse and Politics
Presented by Robin Valicenti

When: Thursday December 4, 6-8 PM
Where: CeaseFire PA, The Borse Building, Lower Level (below the food court)
111 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Light refreshments will be served.

Robin will encourage attendees to think about their advocacy issue within a nonverbal, creative, emotionally driven framework. We will address the process of thought and how it can be visually conveyed and learn to look beyond the formal qualities of art, decode it’s imagery and expose assumptions. Examples of activist art such as the Trojan Horse and Picasso’s Guernica will be presented and discussed. You will also have the opportunity to create images and performances that represent your advocacy issue.

We will be hosted by CeaseFire Pennsylvania, the largest state based non-profit and non-partisan gun violence prevention organization. As a board member of CeaseFire PA and committed activist Robin dedicates her time, energy and talent both politically and educationally to reduce the gun violence that has become part of our culture. Robin Valicenti is a board certified art therapist and a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania. A graduate of Hahnemann University Graduate School of Health Sciences. Robin has over 16 years of clinical experience helping children and adults develop understanding, inspiration, confidence, security and comfort through the use of the creative arts. She specializes in the treatment of teenagers who suffer severe emotional and physical neglect, abuse and violent victimization. Robin is also part of the clinical supervisory staff at Hahnemann University, New York University, and Marywood University.