(Brooklyn, New York) September 18th, 2008- Danny Simmons and Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation will kick off their Fall 2008 Education Programming this Saturday, September 20th with a “Hoop Making & Twirling Workshops” led by veteran Rush Teaching Artist and Certified Hoop Dance Instructor Jocelyn Gordon. The festivities will take place at Corridor Gallery from 10AM to 12PM and the day will conclude with a special presentation of a donation from Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, Neutrogena. Youth from Rush Philanthropic’s Rush Kids and Rush Teens programs will be onsite alongside their parents and Rush Teaching Artists celebrating the start of the new season and the Fall Education Program theme “New York Archipelago”, a series inspired by contemporary nautical art and marine life.
In honor of Rush Philanthropic’s commitment to the New York City’s youth and the arts, Neutrogena will be making a $10,000 to the foundation helping to further their mission of encouraging creative expression. The donation is made possible by the recent “Ambrosia” installation done by artist Danielle Julian-Norton, who has utilized 20,000 Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Bars, the “Amber Bar”, to create 7-foot high wall that runs 40 feet long and 12 feet wide. With a wave-like shape, amber glow and the natural aromatic and clean scent, the wall, a work of art in and of itself, “Ambrosia” is indeed a site to be seen. The installation is open to the public at Reeves Contemporary from now until through Saturday, October 4th.
Danny Simmons’ Corridor Gallery, which has been a pioneering cultural outlet serving their audiences with a unique vision and voice since 1996, is also home to numerous Rush Education programs for the affiliated Rush Kids and Rush Teens. Through the programs youth from throughout the five boroughs have the opportunity to participate in free year-around art classes. Rush’s ongoing mission is to immerse children and teens in the study and practice of contemporary art. Students learn about contemporary visual art by creating actual work, looking at works on display at the Rush galleries, through visits with guest teaching artists and on field trips to artists’ studios and other arts institutions.
Additional Rush Educational Programs Include:
The D-Stress Program, which provides visual arts along with literacy, yoga and meditation for young people who are currently incarcerated. The program helps these incarcerated youths find ways to express themselves peacefully, productively, and build self-esteem. Classes take place weekly at Passages Academy at Crossroads Juvenile Detention Center, and at Rush Galleries and in the field.
Rush Gallery in the School, which are in school residencies in which teams of Rush Teaching Artists -trained art educators and full-time visual artists – work with students to create on-site art galleries in participating schools.
About Neutrogena:
Neutrogena, a worldwide leader in premium, dermatologist recommended skin, hair and cosmetics products, has been providing consumers with health and beauty improvements for over 40 years. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the company is a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, the world’s most comprehensive and broadly based health care products company.
About Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation
Founded in 1995 by brothers Russell, Danny and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation is dedicated to providing disadvantaged urban youth with significant exposure and access to the arts, as well as providing exhibition opportunities to under-represented artists and artists of color. A 501(C)3 organization, Rush Philanthropic fulfills its mission through three core programs: grants, exhibitions and mentoring. The Rush Community Grants Program annually provides direct funding to over 50 nonprofit organizations that offer education programming in all disciplines of the arts to New York City and South Florida youth. Rush also runs two arts exhibition and education facilities: Rush Arts Gallery and Resource Center in Manhattan’s Chelsea arts district and the Corridor Gallery in Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill neighborhood. The organization is currently in a fundraising campaign for Rush East New York, an 11,000 square-foot arts education and resource center opening this fall in East New York, Brooklyn. The building was a gift from United Homes. The Rush Gallery in the School and Rush Kids Visual Arts Mentorship Programs (a.k.a. Rush Kids/Teens) use arts education to create a spark that lights the imagination and creativity of the urban youth we serve. Rush Blueprint, formerly known as Rush Impact Mentorship Initiative, will launch this fall and will allow youth the opportunity to learn about and explore careers within the arts.
Danny Simmons’ Corridor Gallery is located at 334 Grand Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11238 (Btw Gates and Green)
Directions by Train: G or C to Clinton & Washington.
