Abrakadoodle-NW Florida is a proud partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, delivering visual arts classes, camps and programs to benefit the children and teen members of the Club. “At the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, we work every day to change lives. Abrakadoodle helps not only by opening kids’ eyes to different forms of art and learning, but also by helping our members gain self confidence through their own creativity,” said Crawford W. “Bear” Henley, President & CPO of BGCEC.

A group of teen artists participating in Abrakadoodle art classes at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast produced a mural based upon the work of artist Wassily Kandinsky, the Russian painter credited for painting the first modern abstract works. Guided by Abrakadoodle teacher Sherri Owens, their mural was entered into the Southeast Regional Boys & Girls Clubs of America Fine Arts Competition, and they won! “The teens were so pumped when they found out we were painting a mural on the wall,” Ms. Owens exclaimed. “We are extremely proud of their hard work and dedication. They deserve a big pat on the back for their accomplishment!” The Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s year-round fine arts program encourages artistic expression through classes, special events and fine arts exhibits.

“Abrakadoodle is so proud to be able to provide the art for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast,” commented Erin Bakker, Director of Abrakadoodle-NW Florida. “Our hats go off to these talented artists for a job well done!”

The Abrakadoodle artists are now entered into the national competition. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America will display winning artwork in four age divisions and 10 media at the National Fine Arts Exhibit, which showcases the best of the fine art program. This year more than 1100 clubs participated, providing Club members with an opportunity to see their artwork professionally displayed. The program concludes with the National Fine Arts Exhibit, which premieres at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Conference. The 10rth Annual Conference is scheduled May 12-14, 2010 at the Marriott NY Marquis in New York City

Stay tuned to Abrakadoodle for results from the National Competition!

When producers began research on a new HBO children’s special about families and divorce, they reached out to Abrakadoodle.  The documentary, which will be completed sometime in 2011, will feature interviews with young children along with kids’ drawings and writings about divorce.

According to Christine Turner, Associate Producer, “We are very excited about collaborating with Abrakadoodle on this project. Children’s artwork will be an important component in this documentary and we know your kids will have a lot to offer.”

Students at participating locations nationwide took part in specially designed art lessons during which they created art and written messages. Focused on family, these art creations were sent to HBO for possible inclusion in the documentary.  In addition, some Abrakadoodle students were invited to be interviewed for the program. 

This documentary follows HBO’s “A Family is a Family is a Family: A Rosie O’Donnell Celebration” and hopes to be an inspiring tool for families who are going through parental separation and divorce.   Previous HBO Family specials include the award-winning Goodnight Moon & Other Sleepytime Tales, The Music in Me, and Classical Baby. These specials have featured kids talking from the heart about subjects like dreams, music, poetry and love. 

Stay tuned to Abrakadoodle for more information about this upcoming HBO documentary!

Abrakadoodle’s artist-in-residence Leonor Brazao brings the richness of her heritage and life experiences in Portugal and Brazil to our global art education program. Abrakadoodle’s multi-cultural art education programs exceed national standards for visual arts education and offer students the opportunity to learn from the styles and techniques of a vast array of classic and contemporary artists. An internationally-recognized artist, Leonor also brings experience as a lead teacher for Abrakadoodle, as well as global work experience as an art director. Leonor has recently been twice recognized for her creative talents.

Her art is included in the first-ever 2010 International Fine Art Collection! 2010 Fine Art is connected to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and will showcase the very best of African visual art as well as works from around the world inspired by the first FIFA World Cup™ on African soil.

Another one of Leonor’s original creations is featured in a new book, “Planet Earth Planet Art,” which highlights the creative works and writings of 95 artists from around the world. Proceeds of this book benefit Friends of the Earth International. We salute our colorful, wise and wonderful Artist-in-Residence! To learn more about Leonor, visit her website .