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December 2009 News
Chameleon received an Urban Hero Award 2009 for its work with inner city youth through its partnership with Parks and Recreation Department, Office of Homeless Liaison and Rose Brooks.
We are very honored to have Hugh Merrill and Chameleon selected as Urban Heroes by the Downtown Council. The Downtown Council annually honors individuals and institutions that make a lasting effect on the urban core. This year they selected Chameleon Arts & Youth Development and Hugh Merrill as Urban Heroes for their arts and educational programming to help at risk and homeless youth. In 2009 “Education” was the theme for the awards, and Chameleon was selected along with Academie Lafayette, Judy McGonigle Akers Executive Vice President, Della Lamb Elementary Charter, Dr. Joan Caulfield, Dr. Linda Edwards, Dr. Bernard Franklin President Metropolitan Community Colleges, Jerry McEvoy Executive Director Upper Room Reading Program, Sister Vickie Perkins Principal Cristo Rey Kansas City, Jon Richard School Leader KIPP: Endeavor Academy, James Schriever Master Patrol Officer Kansas City Police Department, Robert L. Wilcox Principal Primitivo Garcia K-8 S. We are humbled to be part of such a prestigious group of dedicated educators.
New Program Director Joins Our Team
Chameleon is excited to announce that Courtney Wasson has joined Chameleon as Program Director. Courtney is a graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute and former manager at Paper Source. She brings her artistic, community development and managerial skills to the Chameleon mission. She will be attending public events, meeting with other agencies and partners to expand Chameleon’s impact on arts and youth development.
Chameleon Parks and Recreation and Office of Homeless Liaison Programming
Chameleon has begun winter/holiday programming at Tony Aguirre and Westport Roanoke Community Centers. On December 12, the Hip Hop Academy began working with children in the neighborhood surrounding Tony Aguirre, and Westport hosted our wonderful group of homeless youth. Programming will continue after the holidays at three community centers, with Brush Creek joining the mix.
StoneLion, a resident arts agency and part of the Chameleon Arts Consortium, helps deliver arts festivals and programming to Chameleon clients and Parks and Recreation Community Centers. This year they will facilitate the third annual Green Day festivals concluding late spring or early summer on Theis Mall.
StoneLion is scheduling displays/performances at Tony Aguirre, Brush Creek and Westport Roanoke Community Centers leading up to the final festival. Currently, StoneLion is hosting a Winter Break Art Camp at Tony Aguirre December 28-30 and a free show on December 31. Heather Lowenstein, Director of StoneLion, says we are going to be having Environmental Dance classes at either or both Tony Aguirre and Westport this spring, leading up to performances at the Green festivals, and we will also be at The Lawn and Garden Show in February.
Chameleon Winter/Spring Program Schedule, Office of Homeless Liaison
Westport Roanoke: January 23, 30; February 6, 13; Ceramics 12pm-4pm
Brush Creek: March 6, 27; April 10, 17; Hip Hop Academy 12pm-4pm
Leedy Voulkos Art Center or Westport Roanoke: May 8 and 15, 12pm-4pm
Chameleon Summer Camp: Westport Roanoke, June 5, 12, 19, 26