Celebrate the first public arts sculpture
by an Indian-American artist in the United States
"Conversations: Here and Now" by Indira Freitas Johnson

Bring your friends and family to enjoy a free program
organized by the Indo-American Heritage Museum
featuring music, dance and introduction to the sculpture.

(Visitors are invited to a post-event reception for the artist

with a $25 tax-deductible donation to IAHM)

Conversations: Here and Now consists of a central space that's empty, yet full of possibility. This space is created by a circular arrangement of seven chairs intricately carved with words and symbols that are the result of community conversations representative of Evanston's rich history, its diverse customs and ethnicities, its creative energy and its collective hopes and dreams as recognized by its residents.


Sunday, May 17, 2009 - 3 PM
Raymond Park
Corner of Chicago Avenue and Grove Street
Evanston, IL 60201
(In case of rain bring an umbrella)

Please consider a $25 or greater donation to the
Indo-American Heritage Museum and
join us at an intimate gathering with the artist from 4 PM - 7 PM at the nearby home of Surendra and Dorothie Shah
921 Isabella Street Evanston 60201.

Donate online or mail a check to:

Indo-American Heritage Museum
c/o Indo-American Center
6328 N. California
Chicago, IL 60659
For more information call 773.209.8797.

Originally from India, Indira Freitas Johnson has lived in the Chicago area for over twenty years. The influences of her mother, a social activist, and her father, an artist and a follower of Gandhi, have helped shape her life and art, where she continues to explore growth towards a spiritual existence as an individual and as part of the human continuum. Inspired by transitory, ritualistic Indian folk art practices, Johnson addresses issues of labor, domestic violence, nonviolence and health education, adapting them to operate within contemporary experiences. Johnson also serves as founder and executive director of the Shanti Foundation for Peace: Teaching Nonviolence through the Arts and founding board member of MarketPlace: Handwork of India.

The Indo-American Heritage Museum (IAHM), a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization incorporated in the State of Illinois, promotes understanding of the diversity, history and culture of Indian Americans. For more information: www.iahmuseum.org

Opportunity - Youth Program Coordinator, Indo-American Center

The Indo-American Center is accepting applications for the position of youth program coordinator. For more information, please click on the link below.

http://npo.net/jobs/jobdetail.asp?xJobID=33429

Catch a Sporty Cultural Connections Event!

Cultural Connections
A partnership of ethnic museums and cultural centers

Transplanted Sports
Co-presented by
Brazilian Cultural Center of Chicago
Indo-American Heritage Museum
Sponsored by Environment, Culture and Conservation (ECCo),
a Division of Science at The Field Museum

Colonists and immigrants have planted seeds of athletic activity that flourish far from their original settings. Japanese settlers in Brazil popularized the ancient Samurai martial art of jiu-jitsu while Indians excelled at the elaborate English colonial team sport of cricket. Today, in the U.S., Brazilian immigrants promote jiu-jitsu while Indian Americans create cricket pitches in city parks. Come learn how people of all ages strive for mental and physical fitness through Brazilian jiu-jitsu and how popular competition between national teams prompts unofficial cricket matches. A Brazil jiu-jitsu demonstration and an explanation of cricket's rules will illustrate how each activity keeps "bodies in motion."

Saturday, May 16th, 11:30am-2:00pm
at the Indo-American Center
6328 N. California Avenue

Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Reserve your seats by calling (773) 830-1481 or e-mail culturalconnectionsevents@gmail.com. For more information, go to www.fieldmuseum.org/ccuc.

Teachers can receive 2.5 Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs) for each Cultural Connections program attended.

General admission is $15; teachers, students, and seniors are $10; children under 12 are free. A sampling of traditional foods is always served. Admission fees will be collected at the door. Cash or check only please.