First Friday at Global Fayre – February 2009

Our exhibit this month is Commonalities by Josie Mai

Commonalities by Josie Mai

Seven works on paper reflect the imagery, color, pattern and spirit of a meditation on Boyer’s commonalities. The mixed-media paintings are variations on the thematic imagery of a figure, the literal text of the commonalities, the mandala, the vessels, and the fabric. They hopefully challenge the viewer toward positive reflection and change toward unity rather than divisiveness.

Boyer’s commonalities*: All of us experience the cycles of life. All of us develop symbols. All of us respond to the aesthetic. All of us have the capacity to recall the past and anticipate the future. All of us develop some forms of social bonding. All of us are connected to the ecology of the planet. All of us produce and consume. All of us seek meaning and purpose. (*Education in a Multicultural World by Ernest Boyer)

Josie Mai is Assistant Professor of Art at Missouri Southern State University, Visual Arts Faculty at Missouri Fine Arts Academy, and the Director of Soulfari Kenya Inc, a non-profit engaged in humanitarian service in Kenya. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas in art education and a masters of fine arts degree from Parsons School of Design in New York City.

Kiva

Conversations in Global Fayre often turn to micro-lending in developing countries. Our own favorite is Kiva – so far we’ve only exprienced partial non-payment on one loan.

This video gives a great overview of how Kiva works – check it out!