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The importance of fundraising
Talk with anyone who is heavily involved in fundraising for their church or their children’s private school and they will be more than eager to explain why the activity and their participation in it is so important. Non-profit organizations such as churches and private schools play a significant role in our communities in that they provide specific services, which are a part of their commitment to others and are a part of their mission statement. In any case, fundraising generates needed income when state funding is not available. (more…)
Category : Blog
Definition and Overview
Black art constitutes a very diverse legacy, although many observers have a habit of generalizing what black art is. We are talking about a continent that is filled with civilizations, people, and societies, each of which has a special culture. Defining black art also requires that you take into consideration the art of the African Diasporas, which includes the art of African Americans.
Thematic elements
Despite all the diversity, there are some artistic themes that are unifying in nature when you are considering the totality of the African continent from the visual culture. Black art contains 5 thematic elements as follows:
Emphasis on the human body – the human body has always been the focal point of most African art.
Emphasis on the performing arts – much of traditional African art that you find is crafted for use in performing contexts instead of static ones. It is an extension of the three- dimensionality and utilitarianism of traditional African art.
Emphasis on sculpture – African artists have always favored three-dimensional art forms over two-dimensional ones.
Nonlinear scaling – oftentimes, a small portion of an African art design will be similar in appearance to a larger one. This is also described in fractal geometry terms.
Visual abstraction – rather than favoring naturalistic representation, African art tends to favor visual abstraction. This is because black art generalizes stylistic norms.
Black art history
Black art has been influenced by cultural backgrounds of Africa, Europe, and the US. The more common or traditional black art of the African-American community includes:
- woodcarving
- quilting
- pottery
- plastic arts
- paintings
- basket weaving
Black art has been a vital contribution to US art and has played a significant role in it from its early origins in the slave community to the end of the 20th century.
From the 17th to 19th century in the US South, black art came in a wide diversity of forms including the following:
- ceramic vessels
- quilts
- small drums
- wrought-iron figures
Most of these black art pieces displayed the characteristics and similarities of Central and West African crafts, the primary areas of the continent where many skilled African artists were captured as slaves and brought to the US. During the slavery period, white slave owners purchased these African artisans.
Artists such as the Baltimore portrait painter Joshua Johnson and the New England engraver Scipio Moorhead created black art that displayed Western European overtones. Many slave owners allowed these artists to keep some of the wages they earned from their crafts. In many cases, they were able to save enough money to buy their own freedom as well as the freedom for their children and spouses.
Black Art in Print
African American Expression offers a wide selection of Black art depicted on a variety of products and greeting cards.
Get tips for finding Black art and start collecting today.
Category : Black Art
Why Christian jewelry makes a great gift
The main reason that Christian jewelry is a great gift in that it is a great way for the wearer to express their faith and their commitment to it. There is a wide range of gifts to choose from including angels, crosses, crucifixes, Jesus pendants, saint medals, and much more. Wearing Christian jewelry is the perfect way to show that you are faithful day in and day out. Suffice it to say, it makes for a very thoughtful gift that can have a very positive and spiritual impact on the recipient.
Additionally, Christian jewelry makes for a special gift that can become an heirloom and handed down from one generation to the next and will always be remembered. Christian art plays a significant role in Christian jewelry and serves as a reminder of all the many blessings that God has bestowed upon us. It is an expression of praise as well as thanks. There are a number of other themes where Christian jewelry is concerned such as the Bible, praying hands, and other Christian symbols such as the dove.
Christian jewelry is manufactured out of numerous materials including bronze, ivory, gold, silver, and even glass. Pieces range in price from inexpensive sterling items such as charms or necklaces to high end jewelry items that are manufactured out of gold or platinum. There are Christian jewelry retailers both offline and online, all of which carry a wide range of gift ideas for literally any occasion. In any event, Christian jewelry enables the wearer to share their faith with those around them.
Blending faith with fashion
Today, Christian jewelry is the ideal combination of faith and fashion. There are a number of different kinds of Christian jewelry (see above), but the most recognizable is still the cross. It is the ultimate symbol of Christianity in that it reminds us of how Jesus died.
Another symbol that has become extremely popular in Christian jewelry is the fish. The symbol was first used during the first century AD and quickly became the way to identify other Christians in society, especially where persecution was concerned. It was extremely dangerous for Christians to display or speak about their faith in ancient times so they would let others know by drawing a fish in the dirt. Today, Christians proudly let everyone know their faith by wearing the fish symbol.
To view a wide selection of beautiful pieces visit http://www.black-gifts.com/product/accessories/jewelry/
Category : Blog
African-American figurines are some of the more popular and sought after collectible art items that you can include in your collection or give as gifts. Collectible art such as these figurines have always been a primary favorite among those individuals who enjoy collecting African-American art. The primary reason for this is because it is a great way to bring smaller pieces of art into the home as well as the perfect way to display endearing and sweet characters that everyone will fall in love with.
It’s no surprise that African-American figurines keep gaining in popularity with every day that passes. Some of the most recognizable collectibles of African-American art are these figurines. However, the more traditional African-American art includes many diverse items such as:
- woodcarvings
- quilting
- pottery and sculpture
- plastic arts
- paintings
- basket weavings
As a comparison, African-American figurines are known for their appeal and popularity in similar fashion that Walt Disney figurines have been recognized. His cartoons and movies naturally led to many series of collectible figurines that have depicted his classic characters in all types of mediums such as pewter and porcelain. So it stands to reason that the same holds true with African-American figurines.
Figurines are so much more than art
Granted, African-American figurines are excellent pieces of art and have high collectible values in many cases, but they also make the perfect gift for the person who has an extreme interest in African-American art. In the Western World today, African-American figurines are some of the more popular and sought after pieces in the sculpture industry. Additionally, they exhibit the 5 thematic elements that African-American is characterized by which includes:
Visual abstraction – African-American art tends to favor visual abstraction rather than favoring naturalistic representation. This due to the fact that black art generalizes stylistic norms.
Nonlinear scaling – this is typically described in fractal geometry. In this case, a small portion of an African art design will be similar in appearance to a larger one.
Emphasis on the performing arts – most of the traditional African-American art that exists today is crafted for use in performance contexts rather than static ones. It is considered an extension of three-dimensionality and utilitarianism that exists in traditional African-American art.
Emphasis on the human body – African-American art has always placed an emphasis on the human body and uses it as the primary focal point.
Emphasis on sculpture – throughout history, African and African-American artists have always favored art forms that are three-dimensional instead of two-dimensional.
Despite all the diversity that is common with African-American, these themes will always be found in African and African-American artwork, no matter what type it is.
Visit the following link to view a variety of beautiful African American figurines: http://www.black-gifts.com/product/home-decor/figurines/
The meaning and significance of July 4th to Americans
For most Americans, July 4th is a day of celebration and commemoration of our independence from England in 1776. It is referred to more commonly as Independence Day and is a federal holiday in the US. July 4th is typically associated with barbecues, baseball games, carnivals, ceremonies, concerts, fairs, family reunions, fireworks, parades, picnics, political speeches, and public and private events. All of these are geared to celebrate the government, history, and traditions of the United States.
The significance of Independence Day to African-Americans
But what does July 4th mean to the African-American? What is the significance of this day where Black History is concerned? You have to go back to 1852 when Frederick Douglas was a guest speaker at an Independence Day celebration. In the speech that Douglas gave, he made it brutally clear as to how much he despised the treatment of slaves as well as the hypocrisy and irony that was clearly obvious on this day.
He made it well known that this particular hypocrisy was aimed at the African-American population and was quite evident on several fronts. In his speech, he sarcastically refers to Independence Day as “the birthday of your National Independence and your political freedom.” However, Douglas was not a man to lose hope. Despite the fact that he alludes to how detestable and horrid slavery is, the man always saw a silver lining with this issue.
Douglas saw the Declaration of Independence as one of the most significant factors to shape America’s destiny and felt that the principles contained in the document should always be adhered to. He also believed that any political documents that were written after the Declaration of Independence did not adhere to or keep the ideologies that were set forth in the Declaration.
Other considerations
Initially, the celebrations and freedoms of Independence Day were not for all to enjoy. Originally, it was only the affluent white males of society who benefited from our independence from England, as women were yet to be treated equally. Also, Native Americans did not regain their lost tribal lands, and poor white men could not enjoy all the rights discussed in the Declaration of Independence and backed by the Constitution.
Most importantly, the ethnic group that was the worst off was the African-Americans of the day, the majority of which were still enslaved by white businessmen and plantation owners. Ironically, the “Land of the Free” had a significant portion of its population still in bondage.
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights were written by imperfect men, and that goes without saying. But, the ideals and words they thought and wrote developed a country that has fostered and fought for equality time and time again. It is true that in their time slavery was accepted by many, but most of the Founding Fathers knew they were setting the stage for eventual abolition of the detestable practice, and that they couldn’t right every wrong at once. Let us all celebrate on the 4th of July those ideals of equality and freedom of religion and the right to pursue one’s happiness, and the selfless sacrifice over the past 235 years of brave Americans of every ethnicity.
Category : Blog
Why you should keep your fundraisers unique
Many clubs, groups, and organizations rely on fundraising almost exclusively for the money they need to operate. People participate in these fundraisers because they rely on them. For example, some individuals have extensive medical expenses and insufficient health insurance to cover them, so they rely on these fundraisers to help them pay for their expenses. Non-Profit fundraisers help many individuals in need through the generous volunteerism of people across this great country.
The key reasons for unique fundraising ideas are not solely related to the amount of money raised. Naturally, the funds that are raised are important, but what is more important initially is that the fundraiser is not boring or monotonous. You need to keep the “fun” in fundraiser. If you don’t, you will probably lose volunteers that get bored and want something more challenging. This of course affects your potential donors.
Don’t Keep Doing the Same Old Thing
One of the primary reasons that donors diminish in numbers is that they get tired of the same old thing. In other words, they get tired of seeing the same type of fundraiser. This is why it is so important to come up with unique fundraising ideas. The bottom line is that you do not want your charity, church, or school fundraisers to get boring. Remember that it is far easier to hang on to your current donors than it is to find new ones.
Unique fundraising ideas for church and school
Churches and schools rely heavily on fundraisers, especially private schools that do not have the benefit of state funding. Here are four unique fundraising ideas to consider for your next event:
Gift brochures and/or catalogs – Brochures and catalogs should not look the same from year to year. It is best if they are redesigned every year so that annual donors do not get bored or tired of looking at them. This is a great way to promote candles, Christian gifts, cookie dough, flower arrangements and much more.
Discount cards – The current state of the US economy is uncertain and discounted cards can spell success for your church or school fundraiser. These are one of the more unique and innovative ideas that have garnered great success where fundraisers are concerned. The more common discount cards feature pizzerias, restaurants, sandwich shops, and a variety of different retailers who offer discounts to the cardholder that uses them.
Dinner and a movie cards – Another unique fundraising idea that is relatively new are dinner and movie cards which are easy to sell and can generate a considerable amount of profit for churches and schools. They can be used at restaurants and theaters nationwide. There are over 100,000 restaurants, stores, and theaters participating in this program throughout the US today.
Visit http://www.black-gifts.com/ for more information and ideas to help you get started on your next big or small fundraiser.
Category : Blog
Before we can talk about black art, Black-gifts.com would like to give you an overview of Black History Month and then we will discuss the history of black art. Our writing staff hopes that you enjoy this information. (more…)
Category : Black Art &Black History Month &Blog
Anyone involved in the education field or with their church is aware of the significance of fundraising. In many ways, fundraising is the lifeblood of success where churches and schools are concerned, especially in the face of an unstable economy.
Why church and school fundraising is so important…
The importance of church and school fundraisers cannot be emphasized enough. Fundraisers are critical component where a well-rounded education is concerned. By well-rounded, we are talking about enriching programs which, due to financial stress, have become rare or non-existent. Music and art programs, clubs, extracurricular activities, field trips and competitive sports provide children invaluable opportunities to experience the world and grow as individuals, yet these programs are quickly disappearing from schools. When fundraising is not sufficient to support these extras, participation fees are eventually implemented, or they are simply cut from schools.
The bottom line is that in this unstable economy, financial hardship trickles down from organizations to individuals; when schools and churches are financially pressed, resources and programs shut down and parishioners, families and children suffer. But there is a solution in fundraising!
Church and school fundraising projects are a great solution in times of financial hardship. When you contribute what you can or volunteer a few hours of your time you will be surprised at how much your church or your child’s school benefits from those few dollars you earn and hours that you contribute.
Fundraising ideas for both church and school…
Here are some fundraising ideas to consider for church and school in addition to the standard ones (i.e. auctions, bake sales, or yard sales):
- Candy sales (Sees is a popular one!)
- Catalog gift sales, like the program African American Expressions offers
- Restaurant discount cards, like the program offered by Restaurants.com
African American Expressions offers a unique fundraising programs that allows you to fund raise while selling products that celebrate and spread your faith. AAE has over 20 years experience helping churches and schools to raise thousands of dollars. Simply have your child take the catalog to school or around to the neighbors when they have some free time. Parents can take the catalog to their jobs and show it to their fellow employees, as well. There are all types of applications for fundraising when using our gift catalog.
Follow the link if you would like more information about our 2011 Catalog for your next fundraising project, call us at (800) 684-1555, or click here to contact us!
Category : Blog
Finding that absolute perfect gift to present to your mom on Mother’s Day, is important for many of us who want to show our mothers just how much we appreciate them today and all year round.
Here are some of the most popular gift ideas you may want to consider for your own mom for Mother’s Day now and in the years to come:
- Charitable Gifts: Making a contribution or donation to a charity close to your mom’s heart in her name is an incredible way to share the love on Mother’s Day. There are countless worthy organizations that desperately need the help of generous people.
- Eco Friendly Gifts: With growing concerns over the state of the planet’s environment, eco friendly gifts are becoming more and more popular. Plant a tree, or two, in honor of your mom and only buy products that are safe for the environment.
- Jewelry: The choices for beautiful pieces of jewelry for mom are just about endless. Choose from earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, ankle and charm bracelets, and brooches or pins. Whether it’s her favorite color, gemstone, or monthly birthstone, jewelry, inexpensive or otherwise, makes for a lovely Mother’s Day gift. See our selection of jewelry here
- Relaxation Packages: Indulge your mother this year with a gift to a spa for a day of pampering and relaxation, or perhaps for a full body massage, facial, or makeover workshop. She will definitely appreciate being made to feel special and it is a great way to thank her for all of her hard work throughout the years. You can also make your own little relaxation package, an especially good idea if your budget is a concern, by filling a decorative basket or bag with body lotions, creams, soaps, and perfumes and tying a pretty ribbon in her favorite color into a bow. You might also want to print some “coupons” redeemable to you for things like going out for lunch, a shopping trip, or helping your mom with various tasks around the house.
- Theatre tickets: For the mom who is a theatre buff, tickets to the latest show for her and you or a companion are a fun and thoughtful gift. You could also include a certificate for a restaurant so she can dine out either before or after the event too.
- The Gift of Learning: Has your mom always wanted to learn how to cook or make a certain type of craft? Why not give her the gift of learning this Mother’s Day by signing her up for a workshop or class either online or at a local school? Or you could scour the bookstores and the Internet and purchase several different books on one of her favorite subjects and present them to her along with a small bookshelf or desk.
Mother’s Day comes but once a year so take the time to find a special gift you know your mom will love and appreciate just as much as you do her.
We also have many other great gift ideas at Black Gifts such as mugs, journals and handbags that you mother mom may enjoy.
CHGFS-16: Daughters (click to buy)
Daughter are a Blessing, and I'm so Glad You're Mine
Celebrate life's best memories with these precious glass frames. These beautiful designs cherish many occasions and loved ones.
BO-105 But Without Faith (click to buy)
But without faith it is impossible to please him: -Heb. 11:6
Category : Blog
