Make Inspired Art! It's M.I.A. Summer Hiatus Artist Sessions

Has the summer heat got you feeling a little lax? Are bursts of creativity hard to come by this July? No sweat. M.I.A. has the cure for summertime slackin, and it's happening on Thursday, July 21, at Fresh Cafe. The summer hiatus artist sessions started last month on the third Thursday of June and repeat in July and August before M.I.A.'s regularly scheduled programming returns in the fall.

Here's the deal: Show up at Fresh Cafe with whatever tools you use in your creative process (some example tools suggested by M.I.A: paint, pens, paper, chalk, blood, sweat, tears, guitars). Bring a buck (yes, just one dollar) to get in the door. Prepare to be inspired by guest artists who will give you a prompt of some sort. Create something (anything). Share with the group—it's not a workshop, it's not about criticism—so just let it out. Repeat.

Jaimie Gusman, founder of M.I.A., calls the summer sessions a work in progress—basically what all art should be. She hopes that people can find ways, through the collective creative space, to cross and blend genres and fields of artistry. It's definitely one of those times when more=merrier. This isn't a “show," it's a “share," as there's no separation of artist and audience. It's all about the creative process and how artists can inspire one another.

So far, this month promises featured prompters Craig Santos Perez, poet and then some (for more, see his blog), and In Yo Face Improv's Chris Riel.

The sessions are open to artists of all kinds: painters, drawers, poets, prosers, dancers, actors, improvisers, musicians, singers, mimes, magicians...feel free to add to the list in the comments section!

For more info about the artist sessions, see their event page on facebook. The creativity begins at 7:30pm.

For more info about M.I.A., check out their website:
http://miahonolulu.wordpress.com/