Topeka artist Justin Marable will showcase his interpretations of the Capital City at “Why ReThink,” a new exhibit 3-5 p.m. Saturday Dec. 19 at Lola’s Café.
Last September, Marable sent out a call for art to the city and the region for the event, “ReThink Topeka,” which will occur April 17, 2010 in downtown Topeka. In the meantime, he has found fresh ways to perceive Topeka and continues to “ReThink” the city on a daily basis. The show “Why ReThink” is an effort to energize local and regional artists and will serve as a reminder to participate in the coming “ReThink Topeka” event April 2010.
“I’m hoping that people will use the show as inspiration to make their own ReThink Topeka art, or to begin expressing pride in this place we call home,”said Marable.
The art exhibit will be on display beginning Dec. 1, featuring screenprints of Marable’s work that deals with places in Topeka and written explanations of why he decided to “ReThink” that location.
A formal opening will be held 3-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 19. The opening will feature Topeka-centered poetry readings by Matt Porubsky and Leah Sewell, the live music of local band Interior Sea and discussions about Topeka as inspiration for local artists, musicians, writers and performers. Visitors will also be able to find out more about the coming April 2010 “ReThink Topeka” event, and merchandise such as stickers, pins and t-shirts will be available. Marable welcomes anyone to the show who is supportive of battling negative perceptions about Topeka and helping to create a more positive representation.
Check out the Facebook event for additional photos, or to invite your friends.
This morning I received TransformTopeka’s official letter from the United Way, notifying us which families were selected for us to adopt this holiday season. Thanks to the $605 that we were able to raise, we’re going to be able to help three families have a merry Christmas!
- A single mother with three boys, ages 3 – 11.
- A couple with four children (two girls and two boys), ages 0 – 12.
- A couple with four children (three boys and a girl), ages 1 – 13.
Our next step will be to contact each family, letting them know that they’ve been adopted and then confirming their wish lists. Then we’ll need to organize a group shopping trip and gift-wrapping session, so we can get everything delivered to our families before Christmas arrives.
For the second year, TransformTopeka will be adopting families for Christmas from the United Way’s Christmas Bureau, and we’d like your help! With all of the hustle and bustle this time of year, we understand that it’s difficult to get all of your own Christmas shopping taken care of – let alone coordinating and purchasing items to donate to another family. We’re here to make it as easy as possible for you to make a difference in the lives of your fellow Topekans this holiday season!
As a group, TransformTopeka will collect money from anyone that’s interested in helping, contact the adopted families to get confirm their wish list, go shopping, do the wrapping and coordinate delivery of all presents and meals in time for everyone to have a Merry Christmas. And, to be as transparent as possible, we’ll blog and Facebook our progress all along the way.
So how can you help? Make a donation to our PayPal account by clicking the link below. When you get to the page to review your payment, add “Christmas Bureau” in the area for special instructions for the seller. You can also mail a check to: TransformTopeka, 1324 SE Monroe, Topeka, KS 66612 or hand it to any one of our board members. We’ll accept funds up through Tuesday, December 1, before determining how many families we’re be able to help.
Want to check our progress? Visit our website frequently as we’ll be updating our collection total on a regular basis.
- Alissa
closeAuthor: Alissa
Name: Alissa Sheley
Email: asheley@jhpadv.com
Site: http://www.a-sheley.com
About: See Authors Posts (22)
- November 16th, 2009
- Topeka News
- adopt-a-family, Christmas Bureau, United Way
