Raised in New Orleans, now paving her own bright path in the Magic City, Laurie Kramer’s paintings are more than pleasing to the eye, they’re saturated with meaning - and since she’s dedicated to so many causes within the community, it’s a certainty that at least one of her paintings will appeal to you - the aesthetic as well as the substance.

Murals at Children’s Hospital, art projects with Hand-In-Paw, ongoing work with VSA Arts Alabama for people with disabilities - Laurie’s modern expressionistic style is apparent, but it’s what’s beneath the surface that reveals the true reason Laurie paints - to express not only herself, but also the many people who have influenced and inspired her own life.

Other organizations Laurie has partnered with include Greenvale Pediatrics, School of the Highlands, Storkland, The Humane Society, Central City Community Center, the YMCA, the YWCA, Hands On Birmingham, the popular television series Extreme Home Makeover and the Community Mural Project in New Orleans - Renew Rebuild Rebirth.

Visit The Dream Rocket Project.

I led the cows to pasture, but then started across the field with nothing but my frayed overalls and my dinner.  I said goodbye to the freshly turned dirt, squelching under my bare feet and oozing between my toes. I said goodbye to the brown fields full of stubble and plants just beginning to grow, to the dew on blades of grass, the wide sky of promise and everything I had ever known. I didn’t know how I’d fare, but all the same I was going to the Forbidden Forest, never to be seen by anyone in my village again…  To read more please visit  www.angelaford.com 

http://www.cbs42.com/content/localnews/story/Hip-Hop-Learning/b-VuSBG3i0ivf-3K6hvsbA.cspx
Source: cbs42.com

Hi you guys! Here’s the 411-

Noel Johnson (The White Oaks) volunteered his time and talent to collaborate with me on a special project I did with students during my art residency.

Beverley Tanner reported on the story- did you know I could rap? The 4th grade students at Powderly can bring it!

Thank you to the Birmingham City School System, The Cultural Alliance and The Community Foundation for providing this opportunity!

~Laurie Ann

Kids at Powderly Elementary are painting with poetry. Teachers are using hip hop as a means of teaching simile and metaphors. This is part of the Artist As Educators Initiative from the Cultural Alliance. To hear some of the rhymes watch the video clip.

 Smiles of disbelief, and smiles of excitement , giddy grins of anticipation spread around room 107 like peanut butter as I unpacked the bags… Yes! I am an artist. Yes! We are going on a journey!  Smell these Sunflowers- carefully, they are for your teacher to keep- notice how the petals meet. Yes an artist painted the Sunflowers, his name was Van Gogh, have you ever seen a Starry Night? 

     to be continued….

The Artists as Educators Program is made possible through a working partnership between the Cultural Alliance, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and the Birmingham City School System. 

An Art Show and Sale

Benefiting Hannah Home Shelby

A ministry of The King’s Ranch and Hannah Homes

More than 65 Artists featured…

Hot New Orleans Jazz by The

Legendary Pineapple Skinners

 Show Opens to the Public

12 noon - 5 p.m.

$25 minimum donation per person includes

 Catfish/Chicken Baskets lunch,

 desserts, beverages & coffees

 Patrons’ Sneak Preview Brunch

10 a.m. - 12 noon

featuring fresh, locally grown Alabama foods

$50 per person, includes brunch, entry to the show,

desserts, beverages & coffees

 Catfish/Chicken Baskets by

Whiskers

Beverages

Brunch and Gourmet Desserts

by Jefferson State

Culinary Hospitality Program

Specialty Coffees by Royal Cup

Deerwood Lake Harpersville Al. 35078