2022 Marching Forward with the Arts

As Winter lingers and given the current Global Climate,

 like most of the world, 

BOFA is cautiously optimistic as we move onward into 2022.

We have established this new BOFA facebook account as we hope to resume BOFA activities in 2022 (as COVID guidelines permit). Thank you for your patience as we re-connect with the creative community here to post resources, photos, works by local creators, and upcoming activities. It's also free to follow BOFA updates in the public activity feed on patreon.

THINGS WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2022

In memory of Jodi Patterson-Curcio,

BOFA is co-sponsoring April's poetry month activities and

the 2022 Belfast Story Fest.

(Additional details TBA)

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The August return of the Annual BOFA Art Show at the Belfast Public Library

2022 Theme "Small Things" featuring 5" x 7" works by local artists. Details TBA

Contact belfastorganizationforartists@gmail.com for more information

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Lawn Concerts in the Belfast Town Park

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The Annual Christmas Trees in the Park sponsored by the Belfast Lyons

Tuesday March 8th is International Women's Day 
March is Women's History Month. 

"Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias." ~ International Women's Day
Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.

SUPPORT WOMEN ARTISTS NOW 

Inspired by The Culture of Possibility by Arlene Goldbard and SWAN Day activities at Women Arts; The Belfast Organization for Artists and SWAN Days Allegany County NY are charitable community projects of SheilaLynnK Art Studio. 

SWAN Day started in 2004 and was originally celebrated the last Saturday of March. This global event, started by Jan Lisa Huttner and Martha Richards, eventually went on to extend the full months of March and April. SWAN Days are international events that are all about uplifting women in the arts. WomenArts led SWAN Day from 2008 – 2018 and selected Statera Foundation to lead SWAN Day in 2019. SWAN Day is a grassroots effort that was coordinated by Statera Foundation and WomenArts through the Statera Arts Website

Due to COVID, the last SWAN Days Allegany County NY calendar of activities (2020) became an online event promoting local women artists. 

Watch the 2020 video and BROWSE OUR LOCAL 2020 FEATURED ARTISTS SERIES  

At the end of 2021, Jan Lisa Huttner and FF2 Media announced the birth of International SWANs (aka iSWANs), the third phase of the “Support Women Artists Now” movement.

READ THAT STORY

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN..... The Jodi Patterson Fund for Art, Culture, and Rural Empowerment, which will serve the youth of Midland County, MI, and Allegany County, NY, is being established in Jodi's honor and memory through the Allegany County Area Foundation (NY). Memorials may be directed to this fund by mail to ACAF 6087 State Route 19N, Belmont, NY 14813 or through the foundation website. The Allegany County Area Foundation website is here https://alleganycountyareafoundation.org/ From the Small Business Administration  In celebration of Women’s History Month, join the SBA's Office of Women’s Business Ownership and the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center for the virtual Women’s Business Summit on March 29-30, 2022. The free event will include power-packed panels, inspirational fireside chats, and 'Ask an Expert' workshops to help you build, scale, and grow your business. Panels and discussion topics include: Innovation and Investment Building an Equitable Recovery Framework for Women Entrepreneurs From Essential Worker to Essential Entrepreneur: CARE Economy Entrepreneurship Opportunities The $100B Marketplace: Contracting Opportunities for Women-led Firms Exporting & E-Commerce The Changing Landscape for Entertainment and Hospitality Industries Register From the Case Foundation Financial Education for Women The nonprofit Invest for Better helps women take control of their financial education through peer-led Circles that center values-aligned approaches to money and investment. Interested? They’re recruiting a new cohort of Circle leaders.  READ MORE   A Good Book  Wintering; The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times   by Katherine May  In 'Wintering,' Katherine May Encourages 'The Active Acceptance Of Sadness' May writes beautifully of her own recent bout with a personal winter, a period when she felt low and overwhelmed, out of sorts and "out of sync with everyday life." She hit a storm of woes around the time of her 40th birthday.   Full Review at NPR