808 Urban, an organization that brings youths together to create urban art and in the process learn about teamwork, organization and the creative process, is fundraising through IndieGoGo to support a new project.
The campaign to support the Mai‘a Project, which began June 1, offers "perks" to donors, ranging from Facebook recognition with a $10 donation to an original painting on canvas with a $1,000 gift.
"Youth are the hope and future of Hawaii," maintains this organization made up of artists, organizers and volunteers who work with young people. It includes a junior board of students from Farrington, Waianae, Punahou and Kamehameha schools who help decide which projects come next.
Among current projects: a joint venture with Pow Wow Hawaii, the Honolulu organization that presents street-art festivals annually, to present graffiti (aka "urban art") workshops.
The Mai‘a Project aims to give its youthful participants arts and entrepreneurial savvy by running an operation from idea to fruition. Participants create design concepts and proposals for clients which, if successful, can in turn raise funds for their own education and art classes.
The first collaboration will be with the Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery, "working to find visual solutions to help stop sex-trafficking."
After a series of workshops, young participants will connect with the nonprofit client to design merchandise lines such as T-shirts, cards and posters, working hand in hand with professional artists and educators.
Youths, teaching artists and educators, 808 Urban and the client will share in proceeds from the merchandise.
808 Urban director John Hina, an urban artist who goes by the name Prime and is known for his murals and mentoring of youth, and Sierra Dew, a clothing and jewelry designer, will be instrumental in the project.
Dew, who has been volunteering with Prime and the organization for about three years, said she sought out 808Urban because she was "craving collaboration" and wanted to use her skills for the public good. About a year ago she suggested they rev up the organization, which has a storefront in Kakaako, with this project.
It’s a win-win-win, as she explains it, with learning opportunities for participants, better options for nonprofit clients to spread their message, and revenue for all from the sale of the products created.
"We’ve always been working with other organizations to give back, but it’s very circular as I see it," she said. "This way, we hope to gain from these sales."
The first workshops for the Mai’a Project began Thursday. The project will run for 12 weeks. After the works are completed, the merchandise line will be sold at 808 Urban’s hub and storefront in Kakaako, The Refuge, a place "for drawing, hanging out, talking story and feeling safe," Dew said.
The IndieGoGo campaign will raise funds for startup costs, stipends for teachers and artists, and art supplies. 808 Urban’s current partner organizations include the Hawaii People’s Fund, Pow Wow Hawaii, the Estria Foundation, Girl Fest Hawaii, Native Books Hawaii and Palama Settlement.
For more information or to donate to 808 Urban’s Mai‘a Project, go to www.indiegogo.com/808urban. The Refuge, 685 Auahi St., is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Read Elizabeth Kieszkowski’s "Freestyle" blog at honolulupulse.com.
