ARTCURIAN - Artists Speaking for the Spirit

Brushes, as candles, represent the power of the arts to brighten and enlighten the way

to more humanistic societies- Emmett Wigglesworth

In Brooklyn, New York, ARTCURIAN is being shaped as a new art movement by a large group of artists. Forty to be exact. But the number will grow to the thousands as we reach out to the international community of artists to share in our vision that "art is the medium for changing paradigms and lives."

ARTCURIAN is the movement for change and healing. It is also a philosophy and a vision for the harmonizing of African, Caribbean, Latin, and American Art and artists. The one world we live in allows us to enjoy an evolved consciousness that is expressing itself in bold new ways. Promoting the historic continuity of movements through the Harlem Renaissance into the future is one of the many goals we have. Cultural, economic, and creative development uses all forms of art to build communities and wealth for artists and institutions to continue the work needed. And New York is the stage that represents the Diaspora.

Art itself humanizes our lives. ART is for healing: people, environments, and wellness. Art is used for healing mentally, physically, and creatively challenged people. When we are at ease, it allows us to grow and to expand our consciousness. When we are "dis-eased," it heals us and puts us back on the path of wellness to realize our fullest potential as human beings.

To address the idea of art therapy and its power to heal, the Artcurian Project has produced the largest group of paintings ever created by the cooperative effort of African Diasporan Artists. In addition to paintings, murals are being erected as part of this project by creative ICONS of the community. The participating artists during their careers have been inspired by Afro-centered art movements and cultural ideologies from the Harlem Renaissance to now. African, African American, Caribbean and Latin American artists have formed a creative collective to art-iculate "a new approach to community healthcare and creative entrepreneurship using art." This collective, which is a rich creative resource, offers the opportunity for true healing, and sustainable cultural and human development.

ARTCURIAN is an initiative supported by ARTC-URI (Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation-Urban Resource Institute). Dr. Beny Primm, CEO, and Mr. Charles Bailey of ARTC-URI, with Emmett Wigglesworth and other well-known community artists, have designed this project to humanize the consumers of ARTC-URI and to raise the arts awareness of our community. The aim of the project is to blend clinical practices with healing through the arts disciplines, allowing the consumers (clients) of the various programs to make art. Classes are conducted by mural artists in groups or with individuals.

Hence the purpose for the exhibit, "Artists Speaking for the Spirit." This exhibition is the launch of a grand vision that will unfold in a series of creative activities, events, programs and opportunities for artists that can result in public and private acquisitions. This monumental and historic "art-healing-art" project will continue to tell the ancestral story of how the African Diasporan spirit still moves us all. The exposure to the paintings created by the ARTCURIAN artists, that are now hanging on the walls of Arthur Bennett Hall at ARTC-URI, inspire and engage them in their daily activities.

Dr. Beny Primm is a passionate art collector, renowned administrator and health services advocate. He sees this project as a way to use art for healing, education and the development of the creative skills that translates into meaningful lifestyle habits for the consumers of the fourteen centers currently in operation in New York. “We all need to see ourselves in these murals we create” says Emmett Wigglesworth, artist and coordinator of the Mural Project.

For our ancestors and for us, art is a way of life, joy, and celebration.

To learn more about the ARTCURIAN Movement, contact Wendy Jones, Project Coordinator. ARTC-URI is located at 22 Chapel Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201.

The people involved in this project are:

Dr. Beny Primm and Mr. Charles Bailey- ARTC-URI

Emmett WIgglesworth- Project Developer and Artist in Residence

Ogundipe Fayomi- Art Facilitator

Wendy Jones - Project Coordinator

Maitefa Angaza- Publicist

Steering Committee/Participating Artists:

Herb Bennett

Betty Blayton Taylor

Herb Bennett is an artist, architect, poet, inventor, educator and 'cultural development activist' working and living in New York. He is originally from Trinidad and is one of the founders of ARTCURIAN.