Thursday, September 27, 2007

Artwork to Support Jena 6 Defense Fund


Kenya Bevans is a Washington DC metropolitan freelance Web Designer. Over the past five years, Bevans has directed her firm, The Bside Designs and Networking, while simultaneously maintaining employment in Reston, Virginia as a Web/Print Designer. As a working artist, she decided that an art show would be an ideal way to help out with the Jena 6 cause.

Recently, Bevans began placing advertisements on Craigslist seeking artists works donations in support of the Jena 6 Defense Fund. Bevans plans to collect the works in preparation for a public online art show/auction, to be held for 24 hours on October 20, 2007 (start time 9:00 a.m.). The auction will be held at http://www.thebsidedesign.com/jena.html and will feature functionality similar to e-Bay. Volunteer donor's names also appear on the site.

All auction proceeds will be transferred in total to the Jena 6 Defense Fund, a fund primarily designed to support the legal costs of providing immediate justice for Mychal Bell. The Jena 6 Defense Fund is also supported and promoted by syndicated radio talk show host Michael Baisden (http://www.michaelbaisden.com/Article.asp?id=470156). Details about the Jena 6 Defense Fund can be found at http://www.minglecity.com/forum/showthread.php?p=19554#post19554. Bevans will also provide all proof that the funds have been donated in total to the THE UN-EQUAL JUSTICE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND for the Jena 6 upon request.

To promote a successful auction, Bevans makes an Open Call to all artists of all mediums, including but not limited to jewelry and stone artists, sculpture, fine art, cartooning, muralists, and graffiti artists. Her effort is an opportunity for artists to volunteer and be a part of the online auction show. Artists who are interested in donating works, should let Bevans know their full name, city, medium, and name of the piece. Please also provide a digital file of the work to be put online. All artwork should be shipped to: Jena Donations c/o Kenya Bevans 2425 Merrybrook Drive #301, Herndon VA, 20171. Bevans can be reached via e-mail thebsidedesign@gmail.com at or at 571.233.0914 with any questions.

When asked what motivated Bevans to organize the event, she said that she is not so separated from her own history to know that in 2007, there is still a deep divide in social class. She says that the bottom line for the Jena 6 is that what has occurred is just wrong. Bevans feels the children of today need to be made aware of the persistent and pervasive undertone of societal racism and that children should not be taught racist attitudes in the first place.

Bevans is encouraged by an excellent response to date from many contributors. Two local radio stations will also lend media coverage. Bevans looks forward to a positive and productive auction experience for all involved and to a day when art can overcome violence.