Proposals : Cafe Huntington

Category : Proposals

Third Presenter: Lauren Kemp

January 23rd 2012 Posted at January 2012, January 2012
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Project Description:
Huntington has several organizations educating the public about healthy eating and cooking practices but the community’s current demand cannot be supported by locally produced food. This research will focus on the barriers of producers in Huntington’s existing local food system to increasing production or selling products at a market location. In order to set the rules and establish the basics of the Local food system Unlimited Futures Inc., is bringing a high profile speaker; Anthony Flaccavento is director of rural SCALE and will facilitate the conversation for the community. This grant will specifically assist with the speakers fees.

Project Importance:
Since earning the title of fattest city in 2008, Huntington has placed a spotlight on health but the movement began years before as a small group of residents. Healthy Huntington was created in 2003, to begin initiatives in the school system and community. The group successfully limited soda consumption and advocated for healthier meals in the school system. The movement did not gain traction until in 2009, when Jamie Oliver piloted a reality show about the city’s eating habits. Many residents were weary that the show was exploiting a social problem pervasive throughout the tri-state region. Food and eating habits are pressing issue for the Huntington community; in order to tackle to problem there needs to be a change in how we eat, what we eat and where it comes from. These systematic changes will take time and should be inspired by the community they aim to help. Oliver’s show portrayed the community as resistant to accepting his healthy advice but residents are stuck i
n a food system that they have no representation and limited voting rights.
A decentralized food system with the local farmers acting as the producers and the residents of Huntington its consumers would provide better access to food by addressing specific needs of the community. It would be advantageous for the local food system to cooperate with the food assistance programs, so that the local food system improves access to fresh food by low income people or those with limited transportation. Huntington possesses many key elements required for a decentralized food system. The community is already trying to create better access to food with community gardens in Marcum Terrace and the surrounding neighborhood. Their programs engage members of the community in learning about growing food and healthy eating. Jamie Oliver’s Kitchen has transformed into Huntington’s Kitchen and still provides fresh food cooking classes and has a variety of weekly farm markets. Even though opportunities exist to seek out local food it is certainly not the primary way
that people in the area attain food products.
As the local food movement in Huntington continues to build support and momentum; demand for farm products will increase as residents begin to take advantage of the local food system. In the Huntington area the demand already exceeds the supply, according to Andrea Leffingwell and Gail Patton. The focus of expanding local food efforts in Huntington needs to be directed towards professional development for farmers and young people interested in farming. Building a base of supply will not only require getting conventional farmers on board but also training and selecting to next generation. The local food movement in Huntington, in order to survive needs to band together and use their collective power for real solutions in the community. Together community groups and local government can liberate residents from an unhealthy, exclusive and unsustainable agriculture and food distribution system.

How Money Will Be Used:
In order to support the development of the community a expert will be brought in to facilitate the conversation between producers and consumers to begin to set the rules and regulations of the Market organization.

3 Month Goal:
The money will allow the community to have a critical conversation that may result in the development of a Local Food Hub.

A Hub is defined by the USDA as, “a centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, distribution, and/or marketing of locally/regionally produced food products”.

This hub would allow farmers to sell their products with more consistency, which will raise expectations of consumers at the local food market. Consumers will more clearly demand local products when there is an easily accessible way to access them. This money will take this idea to the next level!

View the Action Plan

Second Presenter: Norman Branch and Stars R Us Theatre Troupe

January 23rd 2012 Posted at January 2012, January 2012
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Project Description:
We aim to broaden, strengthen and enrich the experience of the theatre going audience, enhancing the local, regional, national and international reputation of African-American theatre in the tri-state area of West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. We are kicking off the 2012-2013 theater season. Our goal of ten shows this year will allow us to continue the success of the mission of our company. We are expanding our theatre experience, we are embarking on a five- city tour in our region, West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. Our program exposes adults and at-risk youth, which have an interest in theatre arts, to all aspects of performance and technical development.

Project Importance:
Provide community development, prevention and intervention messages through the theater arts to various ethnic groups in at-risk neighborhoods as positive alternatives to crime, violence, alcohol and drugs.. ”STARS R US” Theatre Troupe will provide program participants education, skills and the opportunity to develop their talents in the theatre arts.

How Money Will Be Used:
1)Venue Rental for upcoming shows
2)Proper Equipment(lapel microphones)
3)Props and materials (paper for scripts)
4)Marketing and Promotion materials

3 Month Goal:
The Grant will assist us in renting venues in advance, allowing us to promote our shows & events ahead of time. The money will assist us with proper equipment and props. Over the next three months we would be able to perform two productions.

Second Presenter, January 2012, Stars R Us

First Presenter: Alexis Smith and Ladybeard

January 23rd 2012 Posted at Events, January 2012, January 2012
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Project Description:
Ladybeard is the second feature-length independent comedy by Apartment 2B Productions. It’s a story about a standup comic named Andy, who pretends to date his best friend Michelle so she doesn’t have to tell her parents that she’s a lesbian. Michelle’s girlfriend proposes, and Andy’s faced with the prospect of losing this excuse to hang out with his best friend. Through a series of mishaps, they all face the consequences of their lies becoming untangled. When Andy tries to “fix” the situation, things end up even worse. The movie stars local actors Toby Poole (from Channel 20′s Lords of Fun) and Penny Maple (from Charleston’s Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School). Once we’re finished with the film, we hope to take it across the country to film festivals. We are also interested in having it be available for streaming on services like Netflix and Amazon on Demand.

Project Importance:
One of the reasons we began making movies is because of the negative way West Virginia is depicted in pop culture. Movies like Wrong Turn dominate the movie theaters, which leads people outside of West Virginia to think our state is backwards and violent. We want to present a positive presentation of our home state and our fellow West Virginians. We also want to tell the stories of communities that don’t normally get spotlighted. While depictions of LGBT folks are more mainstream now, they’re still deeply rooted in stereotypes. As Appalachia and the South in general are often stereotyped as being homophobic, we feel it’s important to highlight LGBT Appalachians and show them in a real, positive way.

How Money Will Be Used:
The final scene of the movie takes place during a wedding. Much like a real wedding, a fake wedding will take a significant bit of cash. We would like to make at least a $50 donation to the church that is letting us film there. We will also need a wedding dress, which even used averages about $30. In addition to this, the money we receive will be used for food, decorations, and other props to make this look like a convincing wedding.

3 Month Goal:
The wedding scene will be the last scene we shoot. Our shooting will begin in January, and this scene will be shot toward the end of March. The money we receive will be spent a few weeks before the shoot date. After we shoot the final scene, we’ll spend April and May editing the film. We hope to have the Huntington premiere in the summer . After that, we plan to tour with the movie. We’ve taken our short films and our feature film on tour two different ways: screening it at film festivals and setting up screening in non-traditional film venues such as bars, art galleries, and comedy clubs. With Ladybeard, we plan on doing a combination of the two.

Read the Script.

January 23, 2012

Fourth Presenter: Norman Branch – Stars R Us Theater Troupe

December 14th 2011 Posted at December 2011, November/December 2011
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Project Description:
Stars R Us theatre Troupe is an upcoming performance art organization that is touring through the tri-state. Originating in Huntington, WV from native Norm Branch, Our Goal is to enlighten and enrich the African-American theatre experience to the communities of Huntington.

Project Importance:
The project is important because it allows at-risk youth and adults, the opportunity to develop and grow in a productive environment. It brings culture and art to all communities sharing in a learning atmosphere. It provides life skills and education, to youth and adults, helping increase knowledge in the arts. Its a need for the City of Huntington.

How Money Will Be Used:
The Money will go towards getting the proper microphones, rent of venues, and props that are necessary for the production of our shows. present and future.

3 Month Goal:
Receiving the grant will provide us with the chance to get the proper equipment. With the proper tools, increases the production and experience for the audience as well as the staff. With the money we can schedule various venues to perform our productions and share in traditional and non-traditional venues such as;schools, churches, community centers, outdoors.

Second Presenter – Jason Kiley

October 20th 2011 Posted at October 2011, October 2011 Proposals
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Project Description:
Imagery on ceramic forms has been occurring for centuries from sgraffito on Roman wine vessels to ceramic decals that decorate many commercial ceramic items today. Whatever the reason, people have felt the need to decorate the ceramic form with pictures. As a ceramic artist I feel this need as well, and would like to research the methods of putting imagery on clay. I will focus on contemporary ceramic artists and their methods of transferring imagery onto clay along with traditional techniques found in printmaking.

Project Importance:
Acquiring the knowledge and materials necessary to accomplish printing on the ceramic surface is the desired outcome of this proposal. I will not be the only one to benefit from the project. As well as being a graduate student at Marshall, I am also the Ceramic Studio Technician. One of my duties in this position is to advise students on process related issues and to address technical questions. With the ability to research printing on clay, I would be able to directly pass this information on to students through classroom demonstrations. I have discussed the opportunity to demonstrate these new techniques to students with Assistant Professor Frederick Bartolovic. I also teach an Image Transfer on Clay class at the Huntington Museum of Art twice a year and could directly apply these new techniques to those classes. As I am employed at institutions where teaching is a primary focus, I would be in a perfect position to share my research with others.

How Money Will Be Used:
I am requesting funding to further my research and allow me to purchase materials necessary for that research. The biggest challenge for completing this research is the material cost associated with it. Printing onto clay requires specialized materials which are not available in either the ceramics studio or the print studio. Purchasing them myself at this time is cost prohibitive. With additional materials at my disposal I can increase the level and variety of printing techniques I am experimenting with. I will need everything from the frames for screen printing to the mason stains needed to make ceramic inks. Along with materials and tools I would like to purchase the DVD “Screen Printing on Clay with Paul Andrew Wandless”, and the new book “Ceramic Transfer Printing” by Kevin Petrie, both would be excellent resources for my research.

3 Month Goal:
Receiving the grant money would allow me to expand on my research exponentially. With additional materials at my disposal I can increase the level and variety of printing techniques I am experimenting with. I will be able to research each of the techniques more thoroughly because I would have a larger stock of materials to work with.
At this point my research is in it very beginning stages. My goals over the upcoming months include a multiple color print on the ceramic form, integrating print/image transfer to larger ceramic sculpture and functional ware, and to have demonstrated some of the techniques to ceramic classes at Marshall University as well as the Huntington Museum of Art. Below is my projected timeline of accomplished work for this project. Receiving the grant money would make accomplishing the timeline and my goals much more achievable.

Projected Timeline of Accomplished Work

October
1. Research silk screen methods on clay.
2. Research Zerox/Gum Arabic Printing.
3. Acquire basic materials needed.
4. Collect imagery to print on ceramic forms.
5. Mix and modify inks for printing on clay.
6. Have small tests pieces of stencil and zerox/gum Arabic transfers bisqued.
November
1. Have larger tests pieces of stencil and zerox/gum Arabic transfers
2. Have small tests pieces of EZ Screen bisqued.
3. Test different print methods with use of plaster molds.
4. Find imagery for linoleum blocks and screen printing.
5. Start testing bisque work with different glazes.
December
1. Stretch screens for screen printing on clay.
2. Have printing screens burnt with Diazo Emulsion.
3. Have linoleum print blocks cut.
4. Evaluate what has and has not worked with printing on clay so for.
5. Gather images and ideas over Holiday Break. Be prepared to start work again when spring semester starts.
January
1. Be ready to test different methods on three dimensional work.
2. Test linoleum print block with Zerox/Gum Arabic inks and underglazes.
3. Test print techniques on functional ceramic ware (cups, bowls, and plates).
4. Have built image library for print on clay (more screens/EZscreens,Diazo Screens, and imagery for Zerox/gum Arabic imagery)
February
1. Give demo on Printing on the Ceramic Form to Intro to Hand Building Class.
2. Have printing methods integrated with first large scale three dimensional piece.
3. Have a multiple color print on clay completed.
March
1. Continue expanding research until thesis exhibition.

First Presenter – Sarah Hovemeyer

October 9th 2011 Posted at October 2011, October 2011 Proposals
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Project Description:
I make jewelry from freshwater shells and wood. I have gathered all the shells from rivers and lakes around the Huntington tri-state area. Using a bench-grinder to smooth the shells down to Mother-of-Pearl and shape them into earrings and medallions for necklaces. Since I do not have a drill small enough, I use a box-cutter to whittle a hole into the shell to hang the earring. My wooden earring are made by burning floral designs, that I have created, into pieces of wood that I have cut myself. I have been making jewelry for five years. I am currently selling them out of my home and with love to pursue a full-time business.

Project Importance:
It is West Virginia art, made with West Virginia material, by a West Virginian girl. I was born and raised in West Virginia and I have grown up hiking and exploring our beautiful state. As a child, my sisters and I spent countless hours exploring Beech Fork Lake, The New River, and many other places, and that is when I first started collecting shells. My sister and I found that with sand-paper and a lot of elbow grease we could uncover beautiful Mother-of-Pearl. Now I am a single mother trying to find a way to support my nine-month old daughter. This is a project that would not only support my daughter and I, but would reflect the beauty of West Virginia’s natural resources.

How Money Will Be Used:
First of all I would use the money to buy supplies, such as a drill to make jewelry production faster and more efficient. When I have enough jewelry to sell, I would use the money to rent booths at arts and craft fairs and other artsy venues.

3 Month Goal:
If I receive the money I will be able to produce more earrings than ever. The money will allow me to invest in tools and supplies that I need to get this project going.Over the next three months I will be able to pursue venues that will allow me to show and sell my jewelry.

First Presenter – Jess Graham

September 16th 2011 Posted at September 2011, September 2011 Proposals
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My name is Jess Graham, and outside of my fill-time job as Exec. Director of Dress for Success River Cities, I am a singer-songwriter.

My partner Daniel and I had a home recording studio until a few weeks ago, when our Mac crashed, permanently, rendering all of his music files inaccessible – not only his archive of past work, but also the singles that were currently underway, and 4 tracks for my next album, for which we had a visiting percussionist, bassist, guitarist, pianist – so all that work is unreachable.

You can hear some solo songs at www.sonicbids.com/JessGraham if you’d like a sample. The songs are transformed, though, when others play along – that was what I wanted to achieve with the next record.

Since moving to Huntington, Daniel has made his studio available, at no charge, to local musicians – from Portsmouth to Huntington to Kenova – who had no other way of accessing / affording recording time. He has produced at least 3 debut albums that I know of (he has been here longer than I, so that isn’t the half of it, I’m sure.)

We now must pursue (expensive) data retrieval to retrieve the music files, and then there is the new software to buy to be able to record again – our Mac is apparently too old to be repaired. We really don’t have the financial means to deal with a creative crisis event like this.

I’ve known about Cafe Huntington for a while, but there wasn’t really any project of mine that I thought I could present. Dan and I generally get by on student loans and my salary – what I’m usually short of instead is time to devote to songwriting, which makes the prospect of backtracking and re-recording especially discouraging.

Third Presenter – Shannon Rawlinson

September 14th 2011 Posted at September 2011, September 2011 Proposals
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Project Description:
I am starting a First Lego League Team to compete in the 2012 season. This team will be made up of 3-6 10 year olds that want to learn about robotics through the use of Lego. I have attended a Lego Art Camp and learned how to work with the robotic Lego and want to learn more.

Project Importance:
It’s very important to have fun learning. Who would have thought that playing with Lego would lead to learning Engineering and Math skills. I will attempt to form an all girls team to compete in this years First Lego League Challenge. Engineering and Math are critical to a successful future and that’s where future jobs will be for kids my age. This will also help us learn to work as a team and develop problem solving skills. Our coach can teach us but can not help us so we truly will be learning to program and build functioning robots and have them perform set tasks on our own.

How Money Will Be Used:
The money I win will go to purchase the NXT Robotic Lego which costs $260.00. My mom already has building Lego for my team to use. If I win more than $260.00 we will put the other money towards the First Lego League team registration which is $225.00 as well as $100 to purchase the Challenge Set. The NXT Computer Robot can be used each year.

3 Month Goal:
This will assist me in purchasing the Robot and forming our team.

Second Presenter – The Liberty High School World Percussion Ensemble

September 14th 2011 Posted at General, September 2011, September 2011 Proposals
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Project Description:
The Liberty High School World Percussion Ensemble was established in 2007 by Jeremy Rodriguez, music teacher and a founding member of Experience Art International and the West Virginia World Music Educational Cooperative. The group performs a large repertoire of music on percussion instruments that originate in Africa, Central America, and Asia. The ensemble’s primary purpose is to educate its audience about world music through its interactive shows. These interactive performances are facilitated primarily by the students, offering them an opportunity to improve their leadership skills and build their self-confidence. The Liberty High School World Percussion Ensemble has performed throughout the state of West Virginia including the Clay Center, Culturefest, and The West Virginia Tea Festival. The group has given world music clinics for Head Start programs, public school music programs of all ages, and Energy Express.

Project Importance:
Because we have very limited parental involvement, often times we are forced to leave musicians and artists behind because the gear takes up so much space. More often than not we do not have the ability to carry both gear and students, making it impossible for us to offer the students the opportunities they have worked so hard practicing for. Having an equipment trailer would mean more opportunities for more students; many of which have never been out of southern West Virginia.

How Money Will Be Used:
If we are granted these funds we would be able to purchase an equipment trailer to haul gear. Our drums are very large and take up a good deal of space. We are excited about the prospect of being able to bring our project to other counties and share our resources and knowledge; we are a teaching group. Right now our equipment alone requires two large, enclosed vehicles, and because of this our travel options are severely limited.

3 Month Goal:
Liberty World Percussion Ensemble has been invited to perform all over the state and indeed all over the world. We enjoyed performing in the spring of this year at Jeslyn Performing Arts Center in Huntington, and most recently we performed with a limited group at Culturefest 2011. We have also recently been asked to perform in Seoul, Korea. While an equipment trailer won’t help us get to Korea it will help us share our love for world percussion music throughout the state of West Virginia.

Forth Presenter – Shannon Rawlinson

August 29th 2011 Posted at August 2011, August 2011 Proposals
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3 Month Goal:
This will assist me in purchasing the Robot and forming our team.

Cafe Huntington

Feeding The Creative Spirit