Outreach
EWI runs several outreach programs in communities in need, education, and arts organizations.
Sushmita Mazumdar Talks About Her Handmade Story Books
In education
Partnerships with schools, youth and arts organizations allow our immigrant women artists to exhibit their art, actively participate in the community, and tell their stories.
This program provides women with professional experience, business and leadership skills and visibility in the market. Participating women artists mentor others and get mentored by professionals, share their culture, and teach art and marketing knowledge to younger people and audiences with limited access to arts. The program mutually benefits the community lacking access to the arts and talented immigrant women artists in need for market venues and affirmation.
Author Jacky Bong Wright Demonstrating a Vietnamese Fan Dance
Programs include: art teaching & mentoring, art collaborations, workshops, exhibitions, volunteer programs and community service.
Partner organizations are: Sewall Belmont House Museum, Lorton Arts Foundation, Strathmore Arts Center, Sewall-Belmont House the Art League, Alexandria Performing Arts Association, West Potomac Academy High School in Alexandria, among others.
In the community
Women Ex-Offenders Empowered through Art – A powerful outreach program for women ex-offenders provides career opportunities, hope and a new chance for women to transition from isolation into the community and market place. Several women in this program received mentoring and coaching from EWI staff and artists, helping them develop their artistic career, confidence, communication and business skills. Partner organizations are Friends of Guest House and KI Services, Alexandria.
STRONG Training – Sisters Trained to Reach Opportunities and Nurture Growth a 10-week pilot training program provided women ex-offenders with jewelry and book-making art therapy and vocational skills, leadership, advocacy and business skills under the guidance and mentoring of EWI immigrant women artists and community leaders. On May 22, 2009, 10 ex-offender women of the Friends of the Guest House graduated from STRONG Training. The program was hosted by the Guest House and provided by EWI artists, staff and mentors. The project was funded through a grant by KI Services.
Handmade Jewelry by Catherine Lewis
The project originated after the Executive Directors of Empowered Women International, Friends of Guest House, and KI Services met several times to discuss ways to support each other’s efforts and collaborate on a project where the immigrant women artists will teach art and mentor ex-offender women served by the Friends of the Guest House and KI Services.
Most of the ex-offender women served by these organizations are recovering from substance abuse, so the need for positive activities and like skills was determined to be the key empowerment approach. Many of the women assisted by Guest House have a difficult time securing jobs, especially in the current economy. Re-entering in the society is not an easy task. Learning that they have creativity and skills they can use to make a living, participating in the economy and th community, it’s been absolutely empowering.
Dennis Sobin, Prison Gallery, Guest House Participant and Marga Fripp, EWI
STRONG Training - Sisters Trained to Reach Opportunities and Nurture Growth was designed as a 10-week pilot training program to provide women ex-offenders served by the Guest House vocational, life skills, advocacy and business skills under the guidance and mentoring of our artists: Sush Mazumdar, handmade books and Evelyn Brooks, jewelry designs. Ann E W Stone, women’s advocate and entrepreneur, Debra Chandler, financial advisor and Marga Fripp, art marketing coach and President of EWI participated as guest speakers and mentors in the program.
During the program women learned to make jewelry and tell their stories in handmade storybooks and gained leadership and marketing skills which boosted their confidence and self-esteem. During the program, STRONG women visited the Prison Foundation’s Gallery and learned about the amazing art created by incarcerated people. Dennis Sobin, the President of Prison Foundation shared his personal journey and success story as an ex-offender and inspired women to follow their dreams and seek creative solutions to their challenges.
The project culminated with a special reception hosted at the Guest House where women presented the artwork made in the training and shared their triumphs and learning experience.
