Arts That Heal Program Launches ‘My East Side Neighborhood’ Intergenerational Coloring Book
The Arts That Heal Program, an initiative through the Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc., is pleased to announce a launch event for the “My East Side Neighborhood,” an intergenerational coloring book. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 27, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., at the Frank E Merriweather Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo, NY.
Created and designed by Kisha Patterson with grant funding from the New York State Office of Mental Health, the coloring book was inspired by a desire to transform the health and well-being of Buffalo residents who were impacted by the 5/14 tragedy.
The event will feature performances by poets Jillian Hanesworth and Ten Thousand, along with music by The Buffalo Greats with DP on Drums. Refreshments will be served.
The coloring book shows a grandmother and grandchild exploring their neighborhood, featuring historical landmarks, like the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, Locust Street Art, the Freedom Wall, and the Colored Musicians Club. As an intergenerational tool, children see anew their neighborhood’s strengths, places of comfort, a connection to their own legacies, and a community’s historical significance.
Each coloring book comes with an 8-pack of Crayola crayons and will be available for free at the event. The coloring book will also be distributed for free to daycare centers, churches, barber shops, beauty salons, schools, community center, and libraries. Over the course of the last 14 months, the Arts That Heal Program has provided free art classes at multiple locations near where the 5/14 tragedy happened, creating opportunities for residents to experience the healing power of creating art. The program has partnered with various local art organizations, such as Hearts Into It, Stitch Buffalo, CEPA, Buffalo String Works, and Locust Street Arts. Additionally, the program has connected with multiple teaching artists, including Robin Hibbert and Annette Daniels-Taylor.
The coloring book and crayons will be available after the launch event at the Frank E Merriweather Jr. Library. For more information about the event or to request copies for your group or family members, contact Kayla Hennon at khennon@chcb.net or 716- 986-9199, ext. 5006.
The Arts That Heal Program, a project of the Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc., is a diverse, multidisciplinary approach to transforming the healthcare experience and quality of life for people by connecting with the healing power of the arts at key moments in their lives. The program offers opportunities to create art in various disciplines by providing spaces, supplies, and onsite instruction.
The Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc., a Federally Qualified Health Center, operates locations in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Cheektowaga, and Lockport. The Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. is committed to providing access to quality and culturally sensitive health care to all, regardless of an ability to pay; offering free or discounted fees for patients who qualify.