PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

May 10th TMC New Person Awards! Show your support
by pog'er Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2003 at 3:30 PM
tmc.development@verizon.net

Information on the 2003 New Person Award Ceremony taking place Saturday, May 10th, at the Brew House Gallery and Performance Space on Pittsburgh�s historic Southside from 7 � 10pm.

For pittsburgh imc.

Hey everyone! Saturday, May 10th, the TMC is holding its annual new Person Awards in recognition of those in the local community fusing art and activism. There are an awesome group of awardees this year so please come and show your support. Not everyone will be able to afford the $20 ticket but for those who can this is a great way to support the critical work of the TMC at their second most important fundraiser of the year. And it promises to be a really good time-someone from pog.

The New Person Awards 2003
Art and Activism

The New Person Award is an annual event hosted by the Thomas Merton Center that serves to honor local activists with a commitment to peace and justice in Southwestern Pennsylvania since 1972. This year�s focus is on artists who use their art to work for social change, who combine art and activism in their efforts to have a positive impact. The event will be held on Saturday, May 10th, at the Brew House Gallery and Performance Space on Pittsburgh�s historic Southside from 7 � 10pm.

The awardees include:

- Etta Cetera � radical cheerleader, hip hop songwriter, creator of the Directory of Action guides, street theatre performer and educator on Plan Colombia and US policy toward Latin America through art. Etta continues to inspire Pittsburgh with original creative resistance.

- Karl Mullen � musician whose work promotes peace and exposes discrimination. Karl has challenged local injustices such as the Johnny Gammage murder and has done numerous benefit shows.

- Jan Beatty � an active supporter of women�s rights issues, Jan uses poetry as a means to inspire, relate, motivate and empower.

- The �Without Sanctuary� artists � Tressa Varner, Maritza Mosquera, Sarah Williams, Jamilla Rice and Carrie Schneider are five artists responsible for organizing the �Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America� exhibit at the Warhol last year. Their efforts utilized art as a way to reach the community and create the dialogue necessary to spur social change.

- The Peaceburgh Project � Cindy Snodgrass, Steve Hankin, Elizabeth Donahoe and Terri Taylor have collaborated on a poster and pin project that has inspired the local peace movement and brought the message to many who wouldn�t have otherwise paid attention.

- Chad Martin � a potter who works with youth, Chad organized students at Peabody High to construct a ceramic mural � the only vision of hope and beauty on the prison-like building.

- Dj Brewer � slam poet and lifeline promoter of the local slam team, DJ challenges injustices and educates, creating an honest, beautiful response through spoken word, inspiring others to speak out.

- Kristin Saucedo � a visual and performance artist and former art therapist, Kristin�s work is a powerful means of creating social change through its capacity to effect catharsis, resulting in emotional, spiritual and intellectual clarity.

- George Hogan � creator of the Mural Bridge Project and member of the Peace in Unity symbol project to create a modern, more relevant symbol of the peace sign, George is an artist, educator and activist.

- Heather Arnet � theatre director and artist, Heather incorporates theatre arts into peace and justice work to engage audiences and communities in dialogues around social, political and cultural themes.

- Eric Sloss �� incorporating his experience with activism into his art, exhibited his solo show on Penn Avenue titled �Exhibition Sweatshop� focusing on the international protest and the anti-globalization movements. He also worked on projects such as Art Votes that combines artists and the electoral politics. He is founder of Busk: Pittsburgh an arts organization that encourages street performance and he is changing the way the city of Pittsburgh government and local residents view the role of the artist in their community.

- The Raging Grannies � these women have effectively combined singing and humor to bring art and laughter to the anti-war/peace movement, encouraging others to find their voice, and proving that you�re only as old as you feel.

- The Radical Cheerleaders � another politically charged performance group, the radical cheerleaders open people up to the message of justice in a way that speeches and rhetoric can never achieve.

The evening will offer inspiring music, poetry, visual and performance art through a showcasing of the awardees� works. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn the art of making peace cranes, create something beautiful on the peace wall, lose themselves in the rhythms of a drum circle and dine on wine and fine appetizers from different ethnic traditions*. Tickets are $20 and proceeds support the Thomas Merton Center to continue working for peace and justice. To reserve a ticket, send a check or money order (made payable to the �Thomas Merton Center�) to 5125 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15224. Or call the TMC at 412-361-3022 to charge (Visa or MasterCard) by phone. For more info, email tmc.development@verizon.net.

* The Menu for the evening is as follows:

- Crisps: Cumin Tortilla, Curried Macaroni, Sesame Wonton

- Savories: Black Soybean Humus, Crostini with Blue Cheese, Honey and Hazelnuts, Deviled Eggs with Tarragon and Capers, Curried Wild Mushroom Pate on Whole Wheat Crackers, Croustades of Red Peppers with Goat Cheese, Polenta Triangles with Rosemary and Walnuts, Wheat Berry caviar on Cucumbers

- Sweet: Baklava

- Drinks: Wine and Flavored Sparkling Water

www.thomasmertoncenter.org

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