Poetry has always been a source of growth and enlightenment for teaching artist Cedric Hameed, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the longstanding need to create a space of articulation and strength for all to promote mental health and well-being.
The Oneness of Art will engage community members of all ages in interactive workshops culminating in public celebrations of featured artwork inspired by participants and created by local artists of all mediums.
Beginning fall 2021, Cedric will work with cohorts at each project partner once a week (60-90 min. per week) for four months (16 weeks total).
Cohorts at each project partner can be as small as five or as large as 15 individuals.
Each month/four week period will have a different interpersonal theme: self-image, self-esteem, fear and triumph.
Each month, Cedric will collect poems written by participants and disperse them amongst Ringling College students and local artists from different mediums to translate into visual and performance works.
During the winter 2022 season, created works will be displayed and performed in various locations (museums, public spaces, partner organization facilities, etc.) and serve as the backdrop for public engagements that foster healing and unite us around the possibilities for the future of our community.
Cedric Hameed is a fierce arts advocate and believes that local, national, and global change can be accomplished through expression. A native of Schenectady, N.Y, Cedric grew accustomed to using words as an escape from his harsh realities. He never realized it would be the blueprint to creating a life-changing poetry workshop. "Poetry saved my life, literally! I see the world in metaphors and similes. And, when you can see in the abstract you can create. I can see the world we can all create!"
Project partners represent the expansive diversity of the suncoast community.
Barbara Berger | Kuniko | Judith Levine | Clifford McDonald | Monteasy | Ringling College of Art and Design students | Sorcha Augustine Dance & Theatre Photographer
Created by teaching artist Cedric Hameed and presented by Embracing Our Differences, the Oneness of Art is a creative effort engaging community members of all ages in interactive workshops culminating in public celebrations of featured artwork inspired by participants and created by local artists of all mediums. This artwork illustrates our connections to one-another and the world around us.
Embracing Our Differences is a not-for-profit organization that uses the transformational power of art and education to celebrate and promote the diversity of the human family. It accomplishes this through an annual, large-scale outdoor juried art exhibition and a comprehensive series of educational initiatives, programs and resources designed for teachers and students.
The intended outcome is to promote the unity we all yearn for through art. The art will serve as the backdrop for public engagements that foster healing and unite us around the possibilities for the future of our community.
Embracing Our Differences is proud to present the pilot year of the Oneness of Art.
Embracing Our Differences’ commitment to community engagement has grown over the past 18 years to include initiatives outside of the annual exhibit in Sarasota’s Bayfront Park. The Oneness of Art will utilize written, visual and performing art mediums that foster Embracing Our Differences’ core values (diversity, inclusion, respect and integrity) outside of the annual juried art and quotation competition.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the longstanding need to create a space of articulation and strength for all to promote mental health and well-being. Even prior to the pandemic, there was a need to be proactive in creating not just a safe place mentally, emotionally, and physically, but a community that fosters unity and the human spirit. The Oneness of Art addresses the issues that affect mental health while creating the inspiration and foundation to help people heal together.
Workshops are held weekly over four months, for a total of 16 separate workshops. During each 60-90 minute workshop, teaching artist Cedric Hameed guides participants through a creative process helping them write poems around the following personal themes: self-image, self-esteem, fear and triumph.
Workshops focus on one of these themes each month. Following the workshops, Cedric collects poems written by participants and shares them among artists to translate them into visual works.
Cohorts at each participating partner can be as small as five or as large as 15 individuals.
Embracing Our Differences is currently working with the following community groups and organizations through the Oneness of Art:
The groups participating in the creative process were chosen to represent the expansive diversity of the Suncoast, including people of all ages and backgrounds.
An initial cohort of community organizations and entities from our region are participating in the Oneness of Art to create the poems that will inspire its visual art. There will be additional opportunities for our community to contribute to the Oneness of Art in the future. To learn more about getting involved, email [email protected] or call 941-404-5710.
Sponsorship is provided by the:
The Oneness of Art is presented to our community by Embracing Our Differences. It was created by teaching artist Cedric Hameed. A team of students from the Ringling College of Art and Design and commissioned artists will create the visual works inspired by the community’s poetry. The entire endeavor is being filmed by Nate Ilardi, who has worked for the U.S. Men’s Soccer Team and the WNBA. MagnifyGood is donating its expertise to share the story of the Oneness of Art while making connections between our community and the opportunities fostered through its work.
A team of students from the Ringling College of Art and Design and commissioned artists are creating the visual works inspired by the community’s poetry.
The poetry-creation process will take place over four months. During the winter 2022 season, created works will be displayed and performed in various locations throughout our region, including museums, public spaces, and partner organization facilities.
The Oneness of Art envisions hosting future iterations with new cohorts of participating partners.
Exhibitions of the art created through the Oneness of Art are expected to begin spring 2022, with several ways for the community to experience them. Information on these opportunities will be shared as the exhibitions take shape.
To learn more about the Oneness of Art, email [email protected] or call 941-404-5710.
