Come celebrate the first exhibition of the new, student-run
gallery in the Co-op Fine Arts Student Center next to O's called:
FAB Gallery
It's in the Fine Arts Basement of the
Fine Arts Building.
Closing Reception
Thursday, December 4th
6:30-9:30pm
Basement of the DFA building
23rd and Trinity, UT Campus
Gallery operated by students in the Fine Arts Council
1st Annual Harvest Mandala, U.T. Austin, November 5, 2008
Dear Friends,
A new harvest ritual, a partnership event between Freshman students of Living Color - School of Architecture/Interior Design Program, the Fine Arts Council, and Volunteers from the College of Fine Arts, took place on the University of Texas campus in the form of a Harvest Mandala Food Drive.
The goal of the annual event is twofold: to participate in the age old celebration of earth's bounty with a nod to diverse cultural traditions such as the Native American Medicine Wheel and Tibetan sand mandalas, and to raise awareness about the need to end world hunger by being a part of the solution.
Created out of fresh produce, the Harvest Mandala was oriented to the four cardinal directions indicated by colorful design shifts in the fruits and veggies. Students and community were invited to to bring food donations to the day long celebration and to have their pictures taken carrying hand painted signs in support of the Hunger is Unacceptable campaign. Inspire 2 Interact, a campus organization with a mission to bring diverse groups of students together to serve the community in a positive way, and Phi Delta Chi, a fraternity from the School of Pharmacy, merged their Halloween Community Food Drive in a gesture of solidarity.
Many other student organizations participated including Sori-Horn drummers, playing traditional Korean instruments, U.T. Ballet Folklorico, performing traditional dances from Mexico, and the U.T. Dance team.
At sundown, the mandala was dismantled as all food products were donated to the Capital Area Food Bank, which provides grocery products to 355 Partner Agencies in 21 Central Texas counties. Over 1700 pounds of produce, canned goods, and boxed food were generated in the campaign. Heartfelt thanks goes to Central Market N. Lamar, Central Market Westlake , Whole Foods, Randall's Beecaves, Wheatsville Coop, & Sweet Leaf Tea for generous donations of the mandala produce and snacks for volunteers!!!
View links to the Austin American Statesman article on 11/6/08 (see online photo archive) & the Harvest Mandala Food Drive flickr photo album:
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/11/06/1106artfood.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=52
http://www.flickr.com/photos/harvestmandala/sets/72157608988239621/
With best harvest wishes,
Luanne
