The History 

While I was planning for my very first Art & Poetry For The Heart, From The Soul Exhibit & Networking Conference, my older sister was in her final stages of Adult Leukemia, the doctors had given her two weeks to live. I had already been on KAZI 88.7 FM doing radio interviews and reading some poetry over the air. I dedicated a poem to my sister. She was battling cancer, and fighting for her life, but she was adamant about me not cancelling my conference.

The 1st Conference on 11/01/03, "Theme: Following Your Dreams and Making Beautiful Memories", I dedicated this conference to the memory of my father who died 12/31/02 of a heart attack, and the funeral was 01/02/03. 

The 2nd Conference on 11/06/04, "Theme: "Following Your Dreams", I dedicated this conference to the memory of my sister who died the next night on 11/02/03 after the 1st conference. Inspite of all the obstacles I faced while planning the first conference, I was able to persevere with the help of God. 

The 3rd Conference on 11/05/05, "Theme: "Honoring Our Mothers", We recognized and honored mothers. But I especially wanted to show love and appreciation for my mother, having to bury a husband of 29 years of marriage, and to bury her first born child all in the same year. (Shortly after retiring in November 2002 from St.David's Hospital after 29 years and celebrating her birthday.)Not knowing the next month would be the last Christmas she would have with my father.

The 4th Conference on 11/04/06, "Theme: "Walking In Your Destiny", I dedicated this conference to a 7 year old, that got burned more than 50% of his body in Bastrop, TX. He survived and he is doing well! The M.C. at the conference explained why the conference was being dedicated to him, and a gentleman gave $50 dollars to give to this child.

The 5th Conference on 10/27/07, "Theme; "Write the Vision and Make it Plain... Habakkuk 2:2-3", I dedicated this conference to a 5 year old that had attended our ministry. The child had about 30% of his body burned and had to be airlifted to San Antonio, TX. This child is alive and well.

The 6th Conference in on 11/08/08, "Theme: "Everything Is Not Just Black & White, Let's Deal with the Gray Areas", I dedicated this conference to a 2 year old, that stopped breathing twice in January of 2008.(God brought this child back!) So I went to visit and pray for this child, for about a month until this child was able to go home from the hospital.

The 7th Conference on 11/07/09, "Theme:  "You Matter", I dedicated the conference to all the at-risk youth, runaways, troubled kids, youth on Juvenile Probation that I work with or have worked with as their Mentor. I work with so many kids that think or believe that they don't matter. I especially dedicated this conference to an 8 year old, that I've advocated for through the courts; to have this child placed in a safe environment.

So every year I dedicate the conference to someone special and incorporate having youth display their artwork with my work to encourage them to keep doing art no matter what.

The 8th Annual Art & Poetry For The Heart, From The Soul Exhibit & Networking Conference will be Saturday, November 6, 2010 at Pearce Middle School Cafeteria at 12:00pm.

The Impact

Art & Poetry For The Heart, From The Soul Exhibit & Networking Conference 2010 is a free community event, encouraging youth and adults to show forth their gifts and talents, to inspire others to never give up, in spite of their obstacles. The vision that God gave me was to create not only opportunities for myself, but for other gifted and talented people as well. Every year I display my latest works of art and poetry, and also I invite adult and youth artists, musicians, performers, poets, singers, and praise dancers to be on the program.

My mission/mandate is to continue to be a forerunner, opening up the doors for others and providing this opportunity/platform for them. I am just one individual trying to make a difference, alot of the cost comes out of my pocket and from others who donate the food for the refreshments. I don't have a 501(c)(3) to get grant funding for this event, but I can't use that as an excuse; not to do.

The Networking Session is for the sharing of ideas, motivation to help our communities, and giving local entrepreneurs/business owners and others an opportunity to talk and network. 

What We Need & Please See Perks for What You Get, If You Give!

***You can contribute any dollar amount without choosing a Perk!*** 

Funds will be used to purchase Gift Cards for youth participants who consist of, Artists, Poets, Praise Dancers and Singers. The Art Contest funds are for the color printing of Youth Artists work. The 3 Prizes: A Youth Artist will get one 16X20 Poster Print of their work. A second Youth Artist will get one 11X14 Poster Print of their work. A third Youth Artist will get one 8X10 Poster Print of their work. 

The Poetry Contest funds are for studio time/editing and publishing. The 3 Prizes: A Youth Poet will have free consultations from start to finish of self-publishing, and a master copy of their 10 page book of poems. A second Youth Poet will have a 10 track CD made of their poems. A third Youth Poet will have one of their poems put on a 11X14 Poster Print.

Contest Winners will be able to sell their products, to further their creative endeavors. Funds will be used to purchase refreshments to serve at conference and to hire a videographer to video the conference.