2009 Ends on a High Note!

On December 1 Art Aids Art recognized World AIDS Day and celebrated the 1st anniversary of eKhaya eKasi, our art & education center in Khayelitsha, South Africa. eKhaya eKasi continues to increase its educational programming while creating income for local artists and moving toward the ultimate goal of sustainable self-sufficiency.

We invite you to read our recent World AIDS Day featured blog post created for Speak Up For Change at
http://speakupforchange.blogspot.com/2009/12/world-aids-day-what-does-it-mean.html


The first mosaic sign is mounted at eKhaya eKasi! Special thanks to artists Gina Florentino and Carole Scrooby for giving their time and skills to create the colorful sign and train our staff in mosaics... Stay tuned for the mounting of the mirrored sign.


Funeka Dukwe and Yoliswa Thembani unpack more teacups and saucers donated by Art Aids Art supporters to the JAZZ Tea Shop at eKhaya eKasi... while listening to donated jazz CD's. Thanks to all those who contributed supplies, black dolls and children's books!


Isaac Aggrey of Women's Business Center works on the computer donated by June Shelley to eKhaya eKasi Center.
Thanks to June for providing us with her old laptop!... and to Isaac for training eKhaya eKasi staff in computer skills and helping to establish our internet connection despite the theft of phone cables in our neighborhood. Art Aids Art & eKhaya eKasi will host a variety of training programs in 2010.


Early arrivals anxiously await the first movie screening at eKhaya eKasi. A wide variety of South African and American movies will be screened weekly...with drinks and popcorn for all.


Time to dim the lights and start the show!


Having fun with the project during the closing credits...

We say goodbye to 2009 and look forward to an exciting 2010. With the FIFA World Cup (hosted by South Africa) right around the corner, eKhaya eKasi is gearing up to be a major destination for township tourism.

Art Aids Art expresses gratitude to all of its supporters, donors, beadwork party hosts and volunteers who continue to make our programs possible. We can't do it without you!

And special thanks to all of our 2009 year-end beadwork party hosts & volunteers in the USA and Europe!

Donna Fogel, San Francisco
Mindy Aronovitz & Stacy Gordon, Michigan
Robin Barlow Jones & Marcia Bedford, Oakland
Chloe Garcia & Chris Bostwick
Carol Mitchell & The Franciscan Center, Tampa
Nanette Amis & Jodee Reed, Salt Lake City
Tina Carrari, Fiesole, Italy
St. James Church, Florence, Italy
Network Women's Group, Florence, Italy
Laura Panizzi & Associazione IDEA ONLUS, Alessandria, Italy
Mercato per Beneficenza at Creative Corner, Florence, Italy
Sherry Simpson-Dean & United Nations Association, Pasadena
Mark Henegan, Stephanie Herbeck, Daniel Vanburen & Madiba Restaurant, Brooklyn

Updates from Around the Globe

Representing Art Aids Art, eKhaya eKasi staff Nonceba Nonkevu (center) and Funeka Dukwe (left) attended a 3-week training course on small business development at the Cape Craft and Design Institute. Art Aids Art also sponsored Nontando Dibela (right) and Xoliswa Situ, two members of Wired Women collective, a microbusiness that has developed with our financial and logistical support.

Highlights from recent beadwork parties benefiting South African artists & eKhaya eKasi Center.

Special thanks to our hosts & volunteers!
Jodee Reed, Paul Larsen & Christina Rockrise
Diane Kroll & family
Phoebe, Louisa, Jenny & Mike Harding
Lynn Shaw & ChezShaw
Esther de la Torre, Michelle Rodriguez & CAMS
Sarah Colome, Jennifer Fletcher & Megan Berry
Amanda Edwards, Brenda Ramirez & Ariana Rodriguez
Laine Tannen & the San Francisco Jewish Community Center
Carrie Simon, Jordan Aiken, and Susan, Patty & Sam
Jeanette Kruger & Betty Morningstar
Tina Carrari and FAWCO
Rainey Webb

Art Aids Art's yard sale fundraiser was a success. Our thanks to all our donors, especially the Robles family and Jennifer Carey, and to Liz Holle for running the sale (next to her car loaded with yard sale treasures!).

Support Women's Businesses! Vote for Home in the 'Hood!

Between May 18-May 31, vote for Home in the 'Hood to create employment opportunities for hundreds of Khayelitsha's residents! Watch the video. For voting instructions (takes 2 minutes!), click here!

eKhaya eKasi: First Conference!

On April 23, eKhaya eKasi proudly hosted its first conference, a collaborative venture in conjunction with the Global Campaign for Education. Co-presenters included Women's Business Center, University of the Western Cape Lifelong Learning, and Young Feminists in Action Team. Special thanks to Isaac Aggrey (standing) of Women's Business Center, for organizing this event.

eKhaya eKasi's Funeka Dukwe speaks about Art Aids Art's programs at the center.

Participants pose at the conclusion of this historic event.

eKhaya eKasi: Showing Our Colors!

eKhaya eKasi staff Funeka Dukwe and Nonceba Nonkevu receive training in mosaic tiling from artists Gina Florentino and Carol Scrooby (behind the camera). They are working on signage for the building's front facade. Check out the sneak previews below.... it's been worth the wait!


Our favorite mix: A little bit of bling....


...and plenty of dots!

eKhaya eKasi: Moving Forward!

Art Aids Art is pleased to introduce eKhaya eKasi's first staff members. Co-Managers Funeka Maria Dukwe (left) and Nonceba Nonkevu bring a variety of talents to the job, and have impressed us with their enthusiasm and ability to work collaboratively. Funeka's work in food service will be a great asset as we develop the JAZZ Tea Shop, and Nonceba's experience in handcrafting will be invaluable in the establishment of the art boutique.

Sakhumzi Makaula organizes children's books provided by Art Aids Art's many generous supporters (Thanks, Sakkie). Art Aids Art is building a library of multicultural children's literature to support its Family Literacy Project. In addition, duplicates have been donated to local preschool programs.

What's wrong with this picture? We continued our research and found that many retail stores still carry ZERO black dolls...

...and many school dramatic play areas still offer white dolls and stuffed animals, but no black dolls, despite having 100% black enrollment.

So our collection of black dolls continues. Pictured here, eKhaya eKasi staff and volunteers sing with joy as they receive dolls donated by students at East LA College, Mount San Antonio College and numerous individuals, and those handmade by Dollies Without Borders...

... as well as the Sherman Oaks/Studio City Girl Scouts. Many dolls were donated to local child care programs, while others are being used at eKhaya eKasi to complement our Family Literacy Project.

With so many quality books on hand, the next step was translation. Our 2008 Jungle Justice team translated twenty children's books into Xhosa, allowing for bilingual English/Xhosa reading sessions in our programming.

In addition, bilingual readings were videotaped for future use in both training and direct service.

Special thanks to our 2008 Jungle Justice team of staff, volunteers and students-in-residence. From left, Funeka Dukwe, Nomfundo Yaso, Dorothy Garcia, Siphokazi Rasmeni, Chloe Garcia (Mills College), Yoliswa Thembani, Chris Bostwick (UC Berkeley), Nonceba Nonkevu and Jordan Aiken (UC Berkeley)....

...and those who played a pivotal role in eKhaya eKasi's Grand Opening, including (from right) Holly Sparks, the 2008 Tumi McCallum Women's Advocate, Pamela Davis, the 2008 Jungle Justice Artist-in-Residence, and Nadeem Davids, who tirelessly oversaw the center's construction process from start to finish. Congratulations to them, and to each one of our Art Aids Art family who helped us build the center, brick by brick. Together, we will continue to move forward with our projects, doll by doll and book by book.

We look forward to your comments below!


Photo credit for final triptych: Kamielah Davids

eKhaya eKasi Grand Opening Celebration

On December 1, World AIDS Day, after three years of planning and development, fundraising and designing, organizing and building, eKhaya eKasi Community Center in Khayelitsha, South Africa prepares to open its doors for the grand opening celebration. An hour before the event, young and old are already waiting outside in anticipation.

Inside, the space is ready for the throng....

... outfitted and decorated. Heartfelt thanks to WallCandyArts.com for the vinyl sticker dots.

Guests arrive from around the corner and faraway places. We were overjoyed to have many special guests in attendance: Tina Davis (Norway), director of Bigger Than Barbie; Carin Smuts (Cape Town) from CS Architects, who consulted with our design team; Beverley Price (Johannesburg), founder of one of our participating collectives; Holly Sparks (USA), Art Aids Art's 2008 Tumi McCallum Women's Advocate; and Pamela Davis (USA), the 2008 Jungle Justice Artist-in-Residence. Future collaborators also attend, including an entire contingent from Women's Business Center, with whom we are developing plans for computer classes....

...and, of course, there is a massive turnout by our dear friends at Monkeybiz Bead Project!


The festivities begin with dancing by the women.


There is joy...


...grace...


... and style!


Speaking to the audience of 500, Tom notes the significance of opening the center on World AIDS Day – we are committed to the struggle against this disease and, as Desmond Tutu says, “There must be No Outsiders.” Sakhumzi encounters a problem as he tries to translate this phrase into Xhosa… Upon further investigation, we learn that in Xhosa there is no word for “outsider.”


After receiving permission from the youngest and eldest in attendance, Dorothy leads a blessing for the space, with the children in the center of the circle.


It's time to cut the ceremonial ribbon.


The celebration continues with the children's dancing, both joyful...


...and intense.


Drumming accompaniment on the nearest trash bin is fierce.


Now it's time to lift the shutter and see what's inside!


Children enjoy themselves at the art tables.


Everyone enters the raffle for eKhaya eKasi t-shirts...


... and wait in anticipation for the drawing to take place.


Meanwhile, everyone has an opportunity to visit the container gallery to view "Find Africa in You," the exhibit of artwork donated by our artist support network in the US. It is the first showing of its kind ever in Khayelitsha.


Refreshments are served by eKhaya Caterers out of the newly outfitted J.A.Z.Z Tea Shop.


Time for the drawing... "I won!"


Ten lucky winners proudly collect their shirts.


The event closes with a powerful performance of the national anthem by all in attendance, and then its time to party!

Special thanks to our dynamic photography duo: Pamela Davis and Kamielah Davids.

Photo credits:

Pamela Davis: Photos 1 2 4 7 8 15 16 18 19 21 22 23
Kamielah Davids: Photos 3 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 14 17 20 24