S.W.A.G.'s Blackberry Group

We have a new way for you to keep up with us! Join our blackberry group for the latest happenings, events, contests and news about SWAG.  Simply scan the barcode below and you are in!

The Photographer in Progress

S.W.A.G. Artist Tone Casso created a piece in likeness of Yusuf Muhammad.

Thanks For Your Support of Lovely Trees Are Forever

S.W.A.G. would like to thank everyone who came out to support Lovely Trees Are Forever held Friday, November 5th at Top Hat.

We had works from S.W.A.G. artists (Tone Casso, Rell Stylez, Shizz, Haneef and Joel) as well as Askia Sabur, Dan Wecal and Alex Sampera. The raffle for Ipod Touch was a success and M. Cox walked away with a SWAGGED out 8GB Ipod Touch. Stay tuned for our next art show!

For more pics please visit our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/sharpwithartgroup

win a SWAGpod touch

Win a SWAGpod Touch!

An 8GB SWAGGED out iPod Touch!

Raffle Tix, just $2, see any SWAG member for tix!

Or get them online at http://www.sharpwithartgroup.com/

Swaggerart@gmail.com



I dream my Paintings, then I paint my dreams

Lovely Trees Are Forever

Whip My Hair

The art in the video is pretty cool.  Love the way she "paints" the room with her hair.

In a Sense - Nonsense @ Freedom Theater

This past Saturday, September 18th, the fellas of Sharp with Art Group created live art during a live performace at the Freedom Theater here in Philly.  The show was titled "In a Sense - Nonsense".  During the show, the fellas created masterpieces.

Shout out and a big thanks to The Freedom Theater

@swagart

@swagart

Follow us on twitter

www.twitter.com/swagart

Lovely Trees Are Forever

It's that time again...........


S.W.A.G.
presents
Lovely Trees are Forever



Artwork by Sharp with Art Group && Friends!

 

November 5th @ Top Hat, 247 Market St  7pm - 10pm

No Cover, Drink Specials

and of course...

the raffle for the infamous SWAGPOD touch, an 8G Apple Ipod Touch with a lotta SWAG in it!

Let us show you what lovely trees are,(through our eyes).

Stay for the after party presented by Strawberry Mansion.

http://www.sharpwithartgroup.com/


- S.W.A.G.


Sharp With Art Group


swaggerart@gmail.com


Blog: http://sharpwithartgroup.blogspot.com

The Sketchbook Show! First Fridays!

Sharp with Art Group presents The Sketch Book Show

First Friday September 3, 2010 7-10pm

@ TOP HAT
247 Market St
Philadelphia, PA

Giveaways! A Raffle for a SWAG'd out Ipod Touch



Drink Specials!



NO COVER!



Come join SWAG, see where all of our ideas come from. Peek in our sketch books and also see the finished product. Bring your sketchbook and show us what you got! Come and enjoy the art, the venue, and First Fridays in Olde City.

Fourth Fridays hosted by Nassunni Da Poet

Fourth Friday's

"Artistic Expression"

A SMALL INTIMATE VENUE, WHERE WE FOCUS ON THE ARTIST...

Every month Live Interviews, Live Performances

Recorded by Major Studios at

The New Africa Center

4243 Lancaster Avenue

Philadelphia, Pa. 19104

FREE: 8PM-12MIDNITE

Inhale The Words & Music of some powerful Poets, MC'S, Vocalist, and Musicans....

Sponsered by ICPIC, The Artists United, Major Studios, and NS Entertainment

SPECIAL INVITED PERFORMANCES BY:

Dave the Werdsman from N.Y.C.

E the Poet MC from Baltimore, MaryLand

Philly's own

Michele Mitchell - Spoken word Poet

Greg Savor - Vocalist/Musician

The One Sun Lion Ra - Hip Hop Poet MC

OPEN MIC WILL FOLLOW...

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SOLD

DONT FORGET...IT'S FREE....WITH A LAID BACK ATMOSPHERE

For more information contact NASSUNNI 215-475-7850

don*t blink!

First, we would like to thank everyone who came out to support S.W.A.G. as we presented don*t blink! The event was held at The Soup Factory (lovely venue), on Germantown Avenue. We really loved the space and décor of this venue and the great atmosphere.

don*t blink featured art work by S.W.A.G. – Sharp with Art Group (Neef, Rell, Joel, Tone Casso, Shizz)

and friends

(Zahrah Aya, Reeq, Mechelle Abrams, and Ebony Young)

It was four hours worth of fun, music, art, wine, cheese, giveaways, and much more. Giveaways included S.W.A.G. lighters, Greedy Carnival T-Shirts, JAe Martin T-Shirts and other items).

We had a special surprise performance by Mechelle Abraham, who also had artwork featured in the show, she sung a selection by Brian McKnight. For a ll of my martin fans, this was the song that Martin sung to Gina when he proposed.

A very special thank you to Mechelle, you did great!

Food was provided by “One Moment in Time” Catering. We had wine and light spread of cheese, fruits and veggies, deserts and water and juice.

One Moment in Time does an array other services, for more info contact Gwenetta Fairfax, gfairfax@comcast.net.

As always, art in the show is for sale. If you see a piece you like or want to own someday, please email us @ swaggerart@gmail.com to make it happen!

Here are some pieces from the show!

easy sector!

We found a totally free watermarking tool that we wanted to share with you!


It's fun, easy and quick! What more can you ask for?  


Check it out


http://www.easysector.com


"There are some other "free" watermarking tools you can find on the web, but in a fact - they are not really free, or not professional enough to create good-looking watermarks on your photo. For example - all online "free" watermarking services process 5-10 images per time, and if you need more - you need to pay. And if you will try to find watermarking freeware or open source - it’s just ugly. You will lose your time."

S.W.A.G. presents: don*t blink

Please join us!

Don*t Blink!

An Eye Opening experience art showcase

June 5, 2010

6-10pm

@ Soup Factory Studio

6143 Germantown Avenue

Philadelphia PA 19144

(entrance on E Pastorius Street)

$10 Admission

Featuring S.W.A.G. Artist Shiz, Tone Casso, Haneef,

Rell Stylez, JAe Martin and Friends........

Light Refreshments Served

http://sharpwithartgroup.blogspot.com/

Philadelphia Mural Arts Program Summer Internship

Independence Foundation

2010 Summer Internship Program

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program is seeking dedicated individuals for its summer 2010 Internship Program. You will have the opportunity to work alongside a professional muralist for a six week paid internship. This is a great learning experience for any artist and a way to gain solid mural-making and community skills. Become part of the team and contribute to Philadelphia’s renaissance and advocate for social change at a grass-roots level by collaborating with communities to create public works of art!

The 2010 Internship Program will begin on Tuesday July 6, 2010 through Friday August 13th, 2010. This is a paid internship for 32 hours per week at the rate of $10.00 per hour.

Please mail or hand deliver your application and portfolio to the address below by Friday, May 7, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Late entries will not be accepted. Portfolios will not be accepted by e-mail.


ATTN: Summer Internship
City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program
Lincoln Financial Mural Arts Center at the Thomas Eakins House
1727-29 Mt. Vernon Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

For further information, please e-mail summerinternship@muralarts.org  and write “Summer Internship Inquiry” in the subject line of your e-mail.

To apply, please send a portfolio containing:

1. Cover Letter
2. Résumé
3. 10-15 slides or Digital CD only – do not e-mail images.
4. Image list
5. Self-addressed stamped envelope (S.A.S.E) for return of slides or disk


Late entries will not be accepted. Portfolios will not be accepted by e-mail.



Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Phone:

Email:

Artist Op:Summer Workshop Art Teacher

Summer Workshop Art Teacher (Wayne, PA)

ColorMeMine is looking for art teacher who is familiar with ceramic painting to teach our summer workshops. Experience in mixed media preferable, specifically, clay.

The hours are Monday-Friday from 9:30am-1pm starting on June 21st and ending August 13th.

Opportunity exists for more hours depending on other camp schedules.

Please email resume to wayne@colormemine.com or call 610-687-9777 for more detail. Ask for Cathy.

Tweet "Arts" Day

Today April 13 is Tweet "Arts" Day.

It's simple. Help push "arts" into Twitter's trending topics on April 13 to coincide with National Arts Advocacy Day by tweeting "#arts".

On April 13 the following tweet will be sent out en-masse from all participants:

Tweet for the #arts today! It's National Arts Advocacy Day. http://www.tweetartsday.org/

National Arts Advocacy Day

National Arts Advocacy Day


Next Tues, April 13, is National Arts Advocacy Day, when more than 500 arts advocates will be talking to their government officials in Washington, D.C. about the power of the arts and the need for arts education and arts funding.

Whether or not you can make it to DC on April 13, please take the time to find out more about Arts Advocacy Day.  It's  a great push to keep the arts in public schools


Thank you as always for your support!

Thanks for your support of Painter's Playgound

Painter’s Playground was a huge success and we’d like to thank you for helping to make that possible.

Special Thanks Brother Raheem and The New Africa Center

Shout out to all the artists involved: Zahrah AYa, Timothy Caison, Joel Cox, Adachi, Askaia, and of course S.W.A.G.


Cuisine by: SpicyWildMango


Giveaways by: S.W.A.G., Wee Bit Trendy and Greedy Carnival


You can find all the photos from the show on Facebook or Flickr


Remember our ART is always for sale. Just contact us and we will put you in touch with the artists 

Morris Arboretum 1st annual video and photo contest!

Get your cameras ready for the 1st annual video and photo contest at the Morris Arboretum!

The contest is open to visitors of all ages and skill levels, so show your talent. All entries must be taken onsite at the Morris Arboretum and relate to one of the following categories:

Photos • People • Plants  • Place	Videos • Art • Science • Humanities  • Education & Learning

Awards
1st place in video and 1st place in photo	One year Morris Arboretum Membership $100 in Arboretum Dollars
2nd place in video and 2nd place in photo	4 pack of guest passes $50 in Arboretum Dollars
3rd place in video and 3rd place in photo	4 pack of guest passes $50 in Arboretum Dollars

For more information, click here: 

http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/photoandvideocontest.shtml

Arboretum Dollars can be used toward classes at the Morris Arboretum or at The Shop

Sharp With Art Group

Sharp With Art Group, originally uploaded by Sharp With Art Group.

S.W.A.G.'s Facebook Fan Contest

We are holding a contest especially for our Facebook Fans to show you how much we appreciate the support. We will randomly select followers to win prizes at our next art showcase, Painter’s Playground, going down March 20, 2010.


Here’s how to win!

1) Become a fan of S.W.A.G. (Sharp with Art Group) on Facebook

2) RSVP for Painter’s Playground



Three ways to win:

3) WRITE on our wall telling us your fave piece of art from one of our previous shows OR

4) COMMENT on one of our photos telling us what you like about the art OR

5) TAG our fan page in your status or in a wall post



Simple and easy way to win one of the following prizes:

• Greedy Carnival Apparel

• Greedy Carnival Accessories

• Free Admission to a future show

• Art Supplies

• And much more!





We will RANDOMLY pick the winner at our next art show, and you must be in attendance to claim your prize.



For more information on Painter’s Playground click here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=329570163175&ref=ss


For more information on S.W.A.G. please google “Sharp with Art Group” or visit us on the web:



Email: swaggerart@gmail.com

Blog: http://sharpwithartgroup.blogspot.com/


Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/feelmyswag


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SWAG-Sharp-With-Art-Group/184010853427?ref=mf


Twitter: coming soon



Good Luck and see you at the Playground!



Contest ends Friday, March 19, 2010 at 5PM EST



Winners will be notified at Painter's Playground, Saturday March 20, 2010 6-10pm at The New Africa Center, 4243 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA.

S.W.A.G. presents: Painter's Playground

◄ ▬ Painter's Playground ▬ ►

Saturday, March 20, 2010

6-10p

New Africa Center, 4243 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia

Admission: $10

Featuring art and photography by:
▒ Tone Casso
▒ Neef
▒ Rell Styles
▒ Shizz

as well as:

▒Zahrah Aya
▒Timothy Caison
▒Adachi
▒Askia
▒Deshawn Chestnut
▒Joel Cox
▒ and others......

►Complimentary refreshments will be served◄

►Art will be available for purchase◄

►Giveaways and Raffle◄

Half of proceeds are donated to the New Africa Center.

Please come out and support!

S.W.A.G. Artist Bio: Tone Casso

A native of Philadelphia, Antonio "Tone Casso" McIlwaine was born April 30, 1984.  Art became apart of his life at an early age.  Tone failed his first drawing test at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Plymyra, NJ, and from that point on, he has been dedicated to his craft and becoming the best artist he can be. Tone was accepted to the High School for Creative and Performing Arts where he obtained his High School diploma.

Tone Casso has participatied in many contests, including Rock The Vote "93", Mu Omega Art Contest, and Moore College Art Show sponsored by Pepsi to name a few.  

Besides being an active, founding member of Sharp With Art Group, Tone Casso has been working on the Harry Kalas Project along with some new pieces.  Recently, one of his pieces that remains untitled, is artwork depicting the rapper Lil Wayne, and was published in  he April 2009 issue of Vibe magazine.

"I want to impact the world with my gift, striving to bring art to the forefront, I want to be just like Michaelangelo and Warhol. I wanna mix fine art and pop art together to bridge the gap between cultures and age groups."

- Tone Casso

S.W.A.G. Black History Month 2010 Challenge!

February is Black History Month and Sharp With Art Group wants to show love to our culture. Although February is a short month, for the next 28 days, we will be dedicating our fan page to Black History and culture and we are challenging you to do the same. Each day, we will post things related to Black History Month on our Facebook page! If you are our Facebook fan, we encourage you to do the same! We’d love for it to be BLACK History and ART Related! Whether it’s a picture, a Black History Fact, a poem, a piece of art, just post it and tell us why you choose that piece to post!







Since our blog is published weekly, we will feature our favorite items from our Facebook page to share with the world! We will also compile Photo Albums and Notes to showcase submissions! Post away!






Just our way of bringing awareness to a month that often goes unrecognized. It’s our job to educate ourselves and others!


















"Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better".


Martin Luther King, Jr.

"My Vision" Sixers Black History Month Art Contest

The Sixers are challenging fans to create an original piece of artwork that demonstrates the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on peace and equality.

"In recognition of Black History Month, the Philadelphia 76ers will be conducting an art contest to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," said Sixers Senior Vice President of Business Operations Lara Price. "We have asked our young fans to creatively interpret Dr. King’s dream of peace and equality and how they can apply that message in their communities today."

The Sixers want you to show us your creativity through the “My Vision” Black History Month Art Contest.

Create an original piece of artwork that shows your interpretation of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. vision of peace and equality. Think about the effect Dr. King had on our history which molded how our society lives today, and how those ideas continue to evolve as new generations shape our future.

The Sixers are looking for an original and creative painting, drawing, photography, collage or sculpture that captures the dream of Dr. King and demonstrates how YOU can build a better tomorrow. Show us YOUR VISION and win cool prizes!

Contest ends on Monday, February 1, 2010.

If selected as a finalist, you will be invited to attend the special final judging event in the Hall of Fame Room at the Wachovia Center on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 4:00pm. Each finalist (and the parent or legal guardian of such potential finalist if the finalist is under 18) will be required to attend the final judging event. The finalist will be asked to bring their original artwork to the luncheon. All artwork will be on display during the luncheon and the finalist will be asked to present their pieces to a committee of special invited judges that have been selected by the Sixers.


Prizes
All winners will be named at the final judging event on Thursday, February 11, 2010. Winners will be selected from the following categories:

One (1) Grand Prize Winner from each age group (Ages 6 - 10; Ages 11 - 14; Ages 15 - 18). The three (3) total Grand Prize winners each will receive:

Four (4) tickets in a luxury suite to the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at the Wachovia Center

An on-court plaque presentation during the Game

Sixers prize pack (details listed in official rules)

Additional Prize Winners – 6 total 1st Prize Participation Winners. The six (6) total First Prize Participation winners each will receive:

Two (2) lower level tickets to the Game

Sixers prize pack (details listed in official rules)

Visit the website for more information: Philadelphia 76ers Martin Luther King Art Contest

An Exhibition of Prints by Isaiah Zagar, the Creator of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

If you are a Philly native, then you surely have seen works by Isaiah Zagar on South Street. A new exhibit of Zagar’s prints (he was a versatile artist!) is up at the Gardens, and admission is just a few dollars

50 Years of Printmaking: Works on Paper by Isaiah Zagar

January 15th – March 5th

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
1020 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

http://www.philadelphiasmagicgardens.org/

Check it out

Lending a Helping Hand to Haiti

A 7.0 earthquake hit southern Haiti on Tuesday causing catastrophe in the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Damage and destruction is widespread, with casualties and death toll not yet known.


Wee Bit Trendy and S.W.A.G. (Sharp With Art Group) have joined forces to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. We will be auctioning off paintings and baby products with full proceeds going to Haiti, they will be set up on Ebay with the help of missionfish.org, so that you are 100% sure the proceeds are going directly to the organization. We are also donating food, clothing and funds.


In the meantime, we have compiled a small list of LEGITIMATE ORGANIZATIONS that need our help. Money is not the only thing needed, so is food, clothing and supplies.


Also, if you would like to help us help them OR if you know other ways we can help, please just post a comment or contact us – info@weebittrendy.com  or swaggerart@gmail.com.  This is not the only way we plan to help Haiti and not the only thing we plan to do.

TIP: ALWAYS RESEARCH A CHARITY BEFORE YOU DONATE


The Afya Foundation
http://www.afyafoundation.org/haitiearthquake.html



The Afya Foundation is honored and determined to provide assistance in the active relief efforts for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti on Tuesday January 12, 2010. At this time we are looking for the following items to fill desperately needed containers of supplies.


We ask for supplies to be sent to


Attn: Haiti Relief
510 Nepperhan Ave
Yonkers, NY 10701.


Equally important is our capacity to ship these supplies to Haiti. In order for containers to arrive safely and be distributed to the correct individuals we rely on your monetary aid contributions to ship. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you all for your continued support. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the Haiti earthquake.


Urgently needed supplies:
• Sheets
• Blankets
• Sleeping bags
• Towels
• Closed Toed Shoes
• Clothing
• Water Purification Tablets
• Electrolyte Tablets
• Water Small Water Buckets
• Ensure (or any liquid food supplement)
• Respiratory Masks
• Personal Care Items
• Gauze
• Bandages
• IV cannuals
• Syringes
• Gloves
• Needles
• Ringers
• Hand Sanitizer
• Topical Antiseptic
• Casting Materials
• Cotton


Please be advised that the Afya Foundation cannot accept supplies which are expired or less than 5 months from expiration.
=====================================================
Haiti Visiion
http://www.haitivision.org/donate.asp


If you would like to contribute in other ways, we also accept clothing and/or food. Please contact them for shipping instructions. The current unrest in Haiti is now burdening people more than ever! The struggle for the simplest necessities such as food, water and clothing are becoming harder everyday. With your generous donation, Haiti Vision will spread the light of your heart to the people in the most need. Remember that it's written. "Above all things have charity, which is the bond of perfection." and in tough economic times charity surely requires dedication. At Haiti Vision, Inc., we use our dedication and your surplus to give hope and life to needy people


Please send your donations to:
Haiti Vision, Inc.
1506 Broadway, Suite 2
Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Fax: (561) 840-9218
Email: haitivision1@yahoo.com
============================================================
Yéle Haiti
http://www.yele.org/donation/


A grassroots movement that builds global awareness for Haiti while helping to transform the country through programs in education, sports, the arts and environment. Yéle’s community service programs include food distribution and mobilizing emergency relief. Grammy-Award winning musician, humanitarian and Goodwill Ambassador to Haiti Wyclef Jean founded Yéle Haiti in 2005.

S.W.A.G. Artist Bio: Neef

Haneef "Neef" Robinson is an African American native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was raised in West Philadelphia by his mother.


As the only child, Neef learned to draw at an early age. He became enthralled with the idea of developing portraits and he further cultivated his skills when he entered high school.


Neef attended West Catholic High School where he was given the opportunity to advance his skills in drawing; instead of partaking in physical education like most kids in his class, he was permitted to take four years of Art to satisfy his school mandated requirements. During this period he was also recommended to the University of Arts summer program.

The program exposed him to different styles of art and introduced him to the idea of live model drawing. After graduating West Catholic, Neef briefly attended Philadelphia Community College where he picked up several credits in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. He then entered into the work force.

After several years of working in the manufacturing field, Haneef decided to return back to school to receive a degree in Business management. He received his associates’ degree in Business management in August of 2009 and is still currently working towards his Bachelors in Business.

As a founding member of S.W.A.G (Sharp with Art Group), Haneef and his three co- founders see themselves as part of an artistic cultural revitalization.


The goal is to help children find inspiration and integrity through the use of visual arts.

S.W.A.G is intended to be a way of life that promotes a healthy lifestyle through the use of visual arts.