Words of Wisdom

Epictetus

The good or ill of a man lies within his own will.

Carl Jung

The greatest and most important problems in life are all in a certain sense insoluble. They can never be solved, but only outgrown.

Tully C. Knoles

The greatest thing about man is his ability to transcend himself, his ancestry and his environment and to become what he dreams of being.

Marcus Aurelius

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts... take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.

Cicero

The life given us by nature is short, but the memory of a life well spent is eternal.

Elbert Hubbard

The love we give away is the only love we keep.

John Foster Dulles

The measure of success is not whether you have tough problem to deal with, but whether it is the same

Chinese Proverb

The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water; but to walk on the earth.

Norman Vincent Peale

The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.

Bum Phillips

The only discipline that lasts is self-discipline.


-Angela 

Magnet Boards

Have space on your wall for a Metal Art Board?

• 
  • http://www.fridgedoor.com/magdisboar1.html

    
    

    
    
  • Art boards are fun to have for constant visual of photos, quotes, goals an reminders. It can be fun to decorate with magnets, dried flowers, decorative paper, or pain the board with designs. Boards can be switched up for seasons, goals, to do lists, reminders, or famous quotes to keep yourself motivated.

    
    

    Quick, Easy, and Inexpensive weekend project. 

    
    

    -Boosey Bossalina

Recycling Colors: Candle Making

Have some old crayons lying around? Recycle them and make candles!

http://www.ehow.com/how_4488221_make-homemade-candles.html

Candles can be used for decoration, presents, a natural light source within rooms in your house or you can sell them and make some extra cash.

• 

  
  

  
  

  Candles are fun to make and can also be a good way to recycle some old knick-knacks around the house. Seashells can be added to the candles, old jewelry or trinkets. You can use glass baby jars, glasses, cups, containers, anything that will be able to handle the heat of the wax and safely allow the wick to burn.

  
  

  
  

  Here is another cool idea that brings crayons and candles

  together.

  http://www.merrypad.com/2011/10/26/diy-drip-dyedcandles/

  
  

  

  
  

  -Boosey Bossalina

  
  

Journaling

Writing in a journal can be beneficial for many reasons, you can use them to release, capture and remember your feelings, and keep track with your life goals, but be careful journaling can also be addictive. You can keep a journal for art, music, poems, goals, quotes, memories, or to collect items you would like to save.

The choices in journaling are as different as the reasons for journaling. You can choose a basic notebook and decorate the front and back with paper, stickers, or wallpaper. Another type of journaling you can enjoy is scrapbooking. Scrapbooking is unique because it not exclusive to writing, you can also put art, certificates, poems, etc within clear sleeves in your scrapbooks. You can also "Go green" and journal using recycled or old paper.

Here is a link for some more ideas on personalized journals; http://parentingteens.about.com/od/Journal-Ideas-Crafts-Teens/Journal-Ideas-Crafts-Teens.htm

Happy Journaling!!

-Boosey Bossalina

Poetography Exhibit

The Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation continues to branch out and create new innovative ways to help youth express themselves. Recently we hosted our very 1st full art exhibit called "Poetography," an exhibit that has a mission to use creative and artistic expression to empower marginalized youth, helping them establish self-value and dignity through the application of poetry and photography. 

Photo Credit: Cat Palmer

Background

Over a 10 week period we conducted 10-1hour poetry workshops that encouraged self expression. None of the students we worked with had any significant formal training in writing poetry other than what they learned in school. In the beginning many were uninterested, but after a few workshops more and more students began to "buy in" to the idea. By the end 85% of the students were still activity participating in the workshops and had submitted multiple poetic pieces. Here is an example of a poem that was written during one of these workshops:

"I am not very smart, but I love to learn. I wonder when I’m going to be smarter. I hear the teacher. I see things. I want to be known for being smart. I am not very smart, but I love to learn. I pretend to be smarter, when I’m really not. I feel the smarticles going in. I worry…will I ever get smarter. I WILL improve my grade. I WILL show everyone what I can do. They WILL know what I am. I am not very smart, but I will be.

  –Tania, age 14, NCM student 2012"

After the students had written their poems we then gathered them and gave their pieces to NCM member and local photographer, Cat Palmer, so that she could take pictures that represented their poems. This process was extremely exciting for the students and was a special privilege for the NCM group. To see the students light up and come to life as they went through the process of discovering themselves, sharing that discovery and then supporting each other as they were supported reaffirmed the impact and need for the NCM Foundation's services. The picture below is the one that was taken by the photographer to represent the poem above:

photo credit: Cat Palmer 

Exhibit 

We decided that it wouldn't be fair to the students or for the community for us not to share this experience and the beauty it produced. That being the case we contacted local Crowley's gallery and asked if they would allow us to host an exhibit opening in their space. After we showed them the poems and pictures and explain the background and vision of the exhibit the owner gladly agreed.

The exhibit will continue to be displayed through May 2012 at Crowley's Gallery in Ogden, Utah. 

If you would or an organization you know of would like to partner with the NCM Foundation to recreate the Poetography exhibit please contact us at 801-710-4238 or amirjackson@NurturetheCreativeMind. Than you

Nurture the youth. Nurture the future. 

RECAP- BLANK PAGE RELEASE PARTY

 The Last 3 weeks for the NCM Foundation has been a great number of things including hectic, challenging, busy, productive and most of all MAGICAL. Let's start with the most recent beautiful thing that happened. A week ago The NCM Foundation hosted a release party for Blank Page, our youth driven magazine. We partnered with Chuks a local Vintage Company as well as multiple Salons and beauty artists including Lucid Ends Salon and Carrie Purser Artistry to produce a sweet, swanky, fun fashion show. The beauty of the event was that youth in the community were able to participate in show along side the models. Absolutely A-MAZ-ING!

    More than 100 members of the community showed up to display their support of The Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation and who can blame them? Live music, a fashion show, art, all adding up to an absolutely great evening AND you are supporting an organization that is actively nurturing our future by nurturing the youth of today. Pretty much a no brainer right?

We would like to thank the following businesses and organizations for making this event possible

-Crowley's Gallery 

-Chuks Vintage Clothing 

-Lucid Ends Salon

-Carrie Purser Artistry

-Underground Distillery 

-Grey Fiction 

-Only in Ogden

-Anita Cheney Photography 

The Whole is greater and stronger than its individual parts. 

-Amir A.H. Jackson, Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation, Founder 

Teacher Advocates for the NCM Foundation- Lindsay Masters-

The Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation is determined to make Blank Page, our recently published youth magazine, a permanent staple of the community. To insure this possibility becomes a reality we are reaching out to teachers in an attempt to establish a relationship with them and their students. Surprisingly this has been an unforeseen uphill battle. Despite the success of the NCM Foundation, Blank Page, and what seems to be an inevitable prosperous future for both, all of the teachers we had reached out to were reluctant to fortify a partnership.
That is to say, this was the case until we met Lindsay Masters. Lindsay is an Art teacher at a local High School and viewd passively supporting the NCM Foundation as unacceptable. That being the case she decided to become an advocate for our mission soliciting over 30 students to participate in Blank Page magazine as writers and graphic artists. We are exceptionally excited about this relationship and its boundless future potential.
Lindsay Master's is truly a NCM advocate that we are proud and honored to embrace into the NCM Foundation's family.

To read more about Lindsay or to see some of her work please follow this link: http://www.lindsaymastersart.com/art.html

If you or someone you know would like to partner with the Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation and be a part of Blank Page our youth driven street magazine please visit our facebook page and leave a message www.facebook.com/NurturetheCreativeMind

Thank you!

Cool Earth Day Happenings

We at The Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation have been thinking "Wouldn't it would be really cool if someone would combine fun activities for for all ages, family fun, creativity, education, and civic responsibility?" Well while we were thinking about it someone was doing it. Read the information below about some of the local Earth Day happenings and you can check the "All the above box" for fun, entertaining and cheap.


Salt Lake City-
EARTH JAM is a fun and exciting Non-Profit f=Festival that has taken place within Salt Lake's Liberty Park for the last 20 years to celebrate “EARTH DAY”. This Festival is FREE for all individuals, and features 40 live bands, DJ's, Theatre, and various dance groups, alongside local Artists, art decor, crafts, and food. There will also be a free children's garden, with learning and activities for the youth to explore and participate in. There will be a variety of booths displaying their talents, artistic abilities, or support for our “Earth”.
Earth jam will be a two day event. One of the goals of the Earth Jam Festival is to raise awareness about Earth friendly, and more importantly, "People Friendly" local community programs available such as recycling, gardening, composting, tree planting, wilderness preservation, and more. Come enjoy a weekend full of information, music, art, good food and fun. A great environment for the family and way to learn about our natural World and how we can support and protect our resources.

Where: Liberty Park
When: April 28th & 29th
Time All day

More event information can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/267182220019996/

Ogden-
They will be packing in the house at the Ogden Nature Center with tons of earth-friendly ideas, booths, workshops and activities! All of Utah's green gurus will be on hand and activities will range from composting lectures, to hoola hooping! Children love the water trailer and the rock climbing wall while adults enjoy taking home special plants from the native plant sale. Read more for all the details.

Where: Ogden Nature Center, 966 W. 12th Street
When: Saturday, April 21
Time: 12 noon - 4 pm

More event information can be found at http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org/component/content/article/44/135-earth-day-celebration

Blog Writers: Boosey Bossalina & Amir A.H. Jackson

UVU Benefit Show for the NCM Foundation

Yesterday's benefit concert at Utah Valley University was quite impressive. It took place in their Grand Ballroom and was packed full of exceptional entertainment by local solo acoustic musical artists as well as full band. The feature for the night was John Allred, a well known singer, song writer musician in Utah County who has recently become a local favorite. John was gracious enough to donate his time to the event in support of youth creativity and education http://www.allredmusic.com/.

The night was certainly a special one, highlighted by the youth representatives that performed at the event on behalf of Nurture the Creative Mind. They without a doubt stole the show. Morgan Thomas, age 17, performed an alternative rock, folk blend that was injected with lyrically moving song writing, while Sade Killpack, age 16, also performing original songs, had the feeling and passion of a reincarnated soul artist of the 50's. The power of both performances were validated by the ooooohs and ahhhhhh's that speckled their performances as well as the many attendees that sought out the students to praise them and asked for their contact information as they were leaving the venue.

Follow these links to hear some samples of these very special students.

Sade Killpack- https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150137390303398&set=vb.212131664403&type=2&theater
Morgan Thomas- https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=253358638033866&set=o.208282272537047&type=2&theater

Even Spanish Fork Channel 17 sent a representative to film the event in consideration of developing a documentary about the Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation.

We are extremely thankful for the support of the UVU campus and specifically the volunteer service office for their recognition and efforts.

Upcoming Event-
Next up for the NCM Foundation is the Wonderful World of Abilities performance this Friday, March 30th. We will be highlighting in a talent show format the the talents and ABILITIES of youth who are vision impaired. This event will take place in the Weber State University Wildcat Theatre and will begin at 6pm.
We would love to see you there.


You can also follow the Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation on facebook www.facebook.com/NurturetheCreativeMind. Here you will be provided with a more full, in-depth, and up to date understanding of the NCM Foundation.

NCM Makes the News!

YAAAAAAY!!! The Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation and our newly published youth driven street magazine was recently featured on Fox 13 news http://fox13now.com/2012/03/20/layton-jr-high-students-self-publish-magazine/. The topic of discussion was the innovative nature of Blank Page magazine to combine education and creativity. The students interviewed represented the NCM Foundation extremely well sharing their thoughts on the impact of Blank Page and their enjoyment of being a part of something they felt was meaningful and historic. After the video aired we were asked by 2 local organization to duplicate the magazine with their youth groups. So i think it is safe to say that the Fox 13 coverage was effective.

The out poor of community support has been quite overwhelming. We have been invited to host three summer programs for organizations such as the YMCA, The YCC, and The Arts in the park program. We will also be the highlighted community organization of the Ogden Arts festival. In between now and then we have more than a few events coming up. below is a list and the descriptions of the events you could attend over the next few weeks.

As always... Thank you for your support

March 26th, 7-9pm: Utah Valley University NCM Benefit- Utah Valley University will be hosting a benefit concert for the Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that partners education, creative expression as well as character development in an effort to create multidimensional youth who celebrate diversity while promoting unity, dignity, self-value and universal appreciation.

April 6th, 6-8pm: Poetography- An exhibit that uses creative and artistic expression to empower marginalized youth within the Ogden community, helping them establish self-value and dignity through the application of poetry and photography.

April 13th, 9-midnight: Blank Page release party and Chuk's fashion show- The Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation and Chuk's vintage clothing have teamed up once again. This time for Blank Page magazine release party and fashion show brought to you by Chuk's.

Weekly Update: Blank Page Launch A Success!

(Photo Credit: Cat Palmer)

Everyone has been absolutely excited to read the newest edition of Blank Page is the last two weeks. Local businesses have had many a customer reading our wonderful youth run magazine and we couldn't be happier. Here are some comments of readers in Weber and Davis counties.

“I loved reading the debut edition of "Blank Page." I wish I were young enough to contribute. ;) I enjoyed the interview with Tyler Smith.

I think it's a great "perspective generator" for youth.” - Ginny Stout, Ogden City Arts, Director

“This is awesome. Love it.” –Carey Van Wagoner, Little Cherry Blossoms, Owner

“This looks outstanding -- looking forward to the published issue.” –Jon Boyack, NCM Supporter

“What a great piece this magazine is! I love that it's all written by the kids and it's a nice blend of information and personal reflection. I can't wait to see the finished product.” - Diane Stern, Weber Arts Council, Director

“This looks better than the magazine I used to write for (Wasatch Woman). I am impressed beyond measure. Great work. I love that it is youth driven and indicates their perspectives. I also love that it highlights the alumni from NCM - that is genius.” – Adrienne Gillespie

“This looks outstanding -- looking forward to the published issue.” –Jon Boyack, NCM Supporter

"I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to catch a sneak peak of Nurture the Creative Mind's Blank Page! Absolutely amazing edification from youth in the community." -Chad Schiffman, NCM Supporter

"Abstract, eye catching, mind consuming and just overall amazing piece!" Larry Turcotte, NCM Supporter

"What a GREAT project." -Kathy Ashton, N. Layton Jr. high, Principal

We are also working with the YMCA to premiere our new Poetography project with the super talented Cat Palmer. The mission of this exhibition is "To use creative and artistic expression to empower marginalized youth within the Ogden community, helping them establish self-value and dignity through the application of poetry and photography."

Be sure to catch the exhibit at Grounds For Coffee on 25th street in the next month. The students have never been more inspiring and show the amazing power of poetry in youth's lives.

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Our first issue of 'Blank Page' officially hit the stands yesterday! If you look around Ogden at your local coffee shops, schools or businesses you will find our wonderful premiere issue! This has been a great experience and all the hard work has paid off. But we aren't even started yet! We will be printing monthly issues and we need youth in the area to keep contributing their wonderful creativity.

Blank page will also be premiering in Boston very soon. This is an exciting time. There will be a 'Blank Page' UVU magazine and club serving youth of Orem. We will also be publishing a 'Blank Page Latino' this summer. It will be produced by an all Latin youth staff and will address issues specific to Latin youth. 'Blank Page' is Utah's first for you by youth street magazine.

'Blank Page' accepts writing from youth ages 12-18. We also welcome volunteers and local spotlights in the community that would be willing to be interviewed. If you or someone you know would like to be involved please contact our staff at submit@blankpagemagazine.com or 801-499-2371

Weekly Accomplishments

We have recently completed of the song 'I am a Queen'. This is a song written, composed and performed by a group of 10 year old girls from Youth Impact who partook in a past NCM workshop. Nathan Chappell has been helping on the recording by offering his drumming talents.

We have secured a partnership with WSU and the Arts in the Park summer program. NCM will be conducting the literacy portion and have some AMAZING ideas for our contribution. Stay tuned for details about this event.

'Blank Page' magazine's first issue is completed and will be available in the first part of February.

We were recently blessed to receive a sponsorship for funding from TAB bank, a partner of Flying J Corp and also from UPS, which guarantees the first 6 issues of Blank Page. Thank you so much to these amazing sponsors!

We are excited about the upcoming POETOGRAPHY event. This event's objective is to use both creative and artistic expression to empower marginalized youth and help them establish self value and dignity. The event will be hosted at Crowley's Gallery on 25th Street in Ogden. The students from the YMCA are extremely excited to be working with photographer Cat Palmer.

Every week we are reminded that the work we do is worth all worth it. When you see the impact and the smiles there is no denying that when you Nurture The Creative Mind, you're going to achieve great things!