New "Open-House" Painting Sessions at CAC@SJB this Spring!

Glenn Angel paints "Dove of Peace / Paloma de la Paz" in the Center

The Center for the Arts & Culture @ SJB is going to open its doors again next week for new "Open-House" Painting Sessions in preparation for the Center's 6th Anniversary Celebration in November. These open-house painting sessions will be held on selected Mondays and Thursdays at the Center for those artists who will be a part of the upcoming group exhibition that will be showing at the Center .

Howard Folk preps a canvas for painting

This is a great opportunity for all of the artists to connect, support one another, and just have fun creating some new paintings for the group exhibition, or for future showings. The sessions are also open to community artists from the area who would like to have some space to create their art with us. We welcome all artists to come and join us. The only thing we ask is that you bring your own materials to do your paintings and artwork.

Kris Echevarria works on a painting in the Center

What's really great about these open-house sessions is that they're open to the public as well. Those who would like to see some new art being created in progress, are free to come.. just as long as they do not interrupt the artists as they are working. All community youth and adults are welcome to stop by and see the artwork as it's being created.

Glenn Angel starts painting "Casualties of War"

Putting finishing touches on "Casualties of War" at the Center

We encourage all of you to keep posted to this blog for all information regarding the dates and times the Center will be open for these painting sessions. You can also contact Glenn Angel Echevarria via e-mail at CACSJB@yahoo.com or at (646)763-4260 for the dates and times the Center will be open.

Until then, take care of yourselves.. and see you at the Center's open-house painting sessions soon!

Danielle Locario: Returns Home to the Lord

Beautiful Danielle

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of someone incredibly special to the CAC@SJB family last week. Last Sunday morning, our very dear friend and beloved young sister, Danielle Locario, passed away and has returned home to the Lord. She was two weeks shy of her 25th birthday on October 3rd, and to say the least, she has left all of us who knew and loved her with a serious void in our hearts. We find great comfort in knowing that, at least now, she is no longer suffering any pain and is, no doubt, with the Lord in her rightful place.. in His Arms.

Danielle with artists, Jay Gonzalez and Kris Echevarria,

helping set up an art exhibition at the Center

Danielle was a very special young woman and a unique soul who touched the lives of so many. This is a very difficult time for us who were close to her.. especially her family. But we have been touched by an angel who gave of herself in all ways she could.. even when she wasn't feeling well inside. She never let others know how much and how deep that pain was. Danielle was different and very corageous. She always supported us at the Center at St. John's since day one because she loved the spirit she felt there when we organized an event, a workshop, or just gathered to see some new artwork, and even just to talk. She was a major inspiration for me to continue there.. and I honor her for caring enough to be there to support us when we were serving others there many, many times. And not only did she lend her support to serve others, she would also take part in our poetry workshops and read some of her deep writings at our open-mic poetry events.

Danielle shares her heart and soul at one of our

poetry events at the Center

I could go on and on about her.. but what matters most is that she lived everyday as a gift from God because she knew.. anyday could be her last. Her will to live and the fight she put up everyday to live her life to the fullest is something I will carry in my heart until my dying day. She is my heroine.. and we will all miss her smile, her wonderful hugs, and her piercing eyes when she let you know just how much she loved and cared about you. God bless her and keep her forever.. and may she now bless us from heaven as we continue our journey in life without her until we meet with her again in the Glory. We are planning a number of special events at the Center; all which wiil be dedicated in honor of Danielle. We look forward to her birthday celebration at the Center this coming Saturday, Oct. 4: 1pm - 5pm with friends and family, and will include poetry, music, and new artwork dedicated to her. It will, without a doubt, be a very special day for all of us.

Take care of yourselves, live life to the fullest.. and take care of the ones closest to you while we are still together on this earth.

Peace and blessings..

Glenn