Vickie Freemont

Anthropologist, Ethnologist, Artist, Educator

Vickie speaks many languages (English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Bambara) and has traveled widely. Her formal education includes degrees in anthropology, language and teaching, as well as, applied and fine arts. She has an abiding passion for art cultures and music of Africa and as she herself, “mush more than as a teacher, I think of myself as someone who opens doors, The doors inside us that make our creativity possible and allow us to enjoy richer communications with others.”

As a teacher, Vickie has developed programs for all ages based on recycling varied materials to make craft objects with an African theme. People from all backgrounds have attended these African recycling craft workshops. Starting from initial curiosity, they come away with knowledge of other opportunities to venture into the fabulous world of African arts and crafts and music. Such programs have been offered in NYC public libraries, local cultural centers, museums, and schools such as Fashion Institute of Technology, City University of New York, Museum of African in Washington, DC, Schomburg Center for Research, Wycoff Farmhouse Museum, Bank Street College, Bronx Museum, Parrish Museum, Alton Allen private school, public schools through Henry Street Settlement, New Perspective (Division of Continuing Education from Bank Street College of Education).

Vickie’s programs have been selected for the Summer Training Programs 2006 training courses fro teachers and social workers. She has worked at North General hospital as an artist in residence, providing moments of respite through creativity to patients and nurses. Vickie also works with other teachers, exhibitionists, directors, anthropologist, artists and musicians organizing seminars and lectures designed to spread awareness of African art and culture. This includes exchanges between various African, Latino and Caribbean individuals and groups.

In February 2005, at the Bronx Museum, Vickie took part in Threads and Vines. She also collaborated with the Museum on a show entitled “Collection Remixed” from February 3rd to June 5th 2005, which she presented two photographers. Seidou Keita from Mali and Mama Casset from Senegal. “ Bricollage” was an exhibit of her recycling works at Convent of Sacred Heart.

Her work is at the National Catholic Museum of Arts as part of the exhibition of Harlem Artists. In addition, her exhibit is featured as a centerpiece by her students from the High School for Math, Science, and Engineering at City College and is funded through the City Council’s CASA funding from councilmember Robert Jackson. Vickie also works with Harlem Arts Alliance. This is an organization that was created to promote sponsors and present cultural programs that reflect the vast contributions of multiethnic and multicultural writers, performers, directors, producers, visual artist, designers, choreographers, and dancers in New York.

Vickie is a designer. She creates a home décor collection using African textiles and makes one of a kind jewelry. Among the many arts and crafts exhibitions that her works has been shown are The Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC; Pen and Brush Gallery, NY; West Side Arts Coalition, NY; Julia de Burgos Culture Center, NY; Museum for African Art, NY; Bronx Museum, NY; Pelham Art Center, NY; and The South African Consulate in New York commissioned her to design the décor for South Africa’s Ten Years of Freedom event which took place in Crobar, SOHO, Manhattan.

Jennifer Wade

Jennifer Wade is a professional artist and art therapist. Her mission is to promote a healing process through art, to bring together diverse population in the NYC area, from different backgrounds, ethnic groups and ages.; to foster connections, inner strength, and self expression while having fun and learning through educational play with puppetry and art groups; and to teach in a fun and engaging way.

In 2004, Ms. Wade completed her Master’s degree in Art Therapy at New York University. Ms. Wade utilizes neighborhood art projects to build, heal and enrich communities. As an artist, Ms. Wade has had the privilege to work in the arts with a myriad of individuals including children, seniors, and homeless adults, harnessing the talent and creativity of individuals in a constructive way.

Since 1998, Ms. Wade has worked for Agostino Arts as an artists in numerous corporate and community events. These events were sponsored by organizations such as J.P. Morgan Chase, The Ronald McDonald House, The Bronx Zoo, The New York Parks and Recreation Department, Disney, Scholastic, The Central Park Zoo, Materials for the Arts, celebrity parties and others. Through Agosino Arts, Wade has worked with thousands of people creating unique masks like culturally inspired designs.

Ms. Wade was the site coordinator for ”Art in the Park,” Bennett Park Site, as part of the Uptown Art Stroll, which featured local artists and performers. In addition, Ms. Wade has run community based open art studio groups with children and adults at Goddard and Isabella House. She facilitated an adult wall mural group done by the members of Safe Haven, a transitional housing program for adults with a history of chronic and persistent mental illness. The community mural serves a beautiful welcome to new residents of the Safe Haven Program. She also led community artists-based projects during the Recovery Month Celebration and the Peace Day Celebration. In September 2006, during Goddard’s annual staff conference, she facilitated an art enrichment group with the staff of Goddard.

Ms. Wade has exhibited her artwork at a number of local spaces: Two07ArtGallery, Hudson View Garden Lounge, Under 220, New York University, The Brooklyn Waterfront Artist Coalition, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Employee Annual Art Show, and other venues. The New York Department of Cultural Affairs and Materials for the arts selected a painting that was on view in the Center Building in Long Island City, NY.