MamaCita artists Janice Hayes-Cha, Brenda Howell, Karen Hunter McLaughlin, Julie Mann and Kimberly Mehler will be working throughout 2012 to create an installation piece inspired by the nonprofit, grassroots organization Mothers In Charge. Consisting of hundreds of sculpted wire vessels, the art will memorialize each life lost to violence - and the mothers who mourn these lives - in the city of Philadelphia in 2012. The sculptures will be installed as a group throughout the city during 2013.
Our collaborator, Mothers In Charge, was founded by Dorothy Johnson-Speight as a community advocacy and support organization for families affected by violence. After Dorothy's 24 year-old son was murdered over a parking space in December 2001, she joined forces with other mothers to save lives. Mothers In Charge challenges societal complacency and channels personal grief into positive action.
The mission of Mothers In Charge is to prevent violence by providing education and mentoring for young adults while also supporting mothers and families. To help out, MamaCita members are mentoring young women through monthly art workshops at the organization's North Philly location.
Our project's goal is to inform and inspire social change in Philadelphia and beyond. We believe art is an important tool in a holistic approach to preventing violence and supporting mothers and young people in our city.
This project is funded in part through a Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grant.
Interested in helping us create the art?
If you are interested in taking part in our year-long project, the grant recipients are seeking people to join in, through a series of free workshops.
Click Here for info on FREE workshops!
About Mother's in Charge
Rebecca Brame
Mo Ganey
Megan Greenholt
Janice Hayes-Cha
Marge Horner
Brenda Howell
Karen Hunter-McLaughlin
Lisa Kelley
Heather Knopf
Julie Mann
Kimberly Mehler
Dana Scott
Teresa Sheilds
Edie Tanis Brenna
Melissa Tevere
Diana Trout
Karoline Wileczek
Click on an artist to view portfolio samples