Five entries (click, click, click, click, and click) in the YEAH! (Youth Experiencing Artistic Hope) logo design contest were judged and voted on at the June 18, 2009 meeting of the Mission-Vision Committee of the B.O.L.D. (Building Our Lives Drug-free) Coalition. The group has been meeting for eight months to work toward establishing an arts program for youth 14-25 as an alternative to drug involvement. The group envisions the establishment of one or more locations in Fall River where youth can listen to new bands rehearse, use networked computers, try out new painting styles, learn new hip hop dance moves or just drop in to see what’s up. The project will hold a hip hop launch party with C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band sponsored by the Narrows Center for the Arts at the Gates of the City on July 17th. The group is currently working to form a formal board and by-laws and is seeking resources in the way of useable space and potential sources of funding. Click here and here for photos of an earlier planning session in January. Click here for a video about a similar effort in New Bedford. For further information, contact BOLD staff member contact Susan Wolfson at Stanley Street Treatment & Resources, 508-235-7032.
 

(Top row, left and center) B.O.L.D. volunteer Amy Curry Bassett chairs the meeting held in empty storefront space at 25 North Main Street. (Top row, right) Painter-photographer and Arts United president Jeff Carpenter discusses how to vote on the contest submissions with BOLD staff member contact Susan Wolfson. (Middle row) Mr. Carpenter shows the contest entries, including the winning entry (center) to the committee prior to voting. (Bottom row, left) Mr. Carpenter shows the entries to Jorge Cabrera Amy Curry Bassett, Sean Foley, Susan Wolfson, Joey DaSilva, Tony Almeida and other members of the committee. (Bottom row, center) Mr. Carpenter polls Jorge Cabrera, Sean Foley, Susan Wolfson and others for their vote. (Bottom row, right) Amanda Donovan and Tony Almeida of the Fall River YouthBuild program listen as Fall River Housing Authority Family and Youth Services Coordinator Joseph DaSilva talks about progress with ZOOM!, a new photography project being organized for youth at the Housing Authority.