JARMEL REECE

Story Stitchers ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, VIDEOGRAPHY

Director & Curator, Perception Isn’t Always Reality Video Sketchbook

Jarmel Reece is an experienced composer, musician, videographer and filmmaker with a big fan club. In 2013 Jarmel founded Gahfaithent Multimedia, and serves as company President and Executive Director. His album entitled “Tha Holy Bible” got over 10,000 downloads. Jarmel works as an artist to impact youth in the community about the importance of staying in school and out of jail.  In 2010 Jarmel became a Community Producer for Nine Network Public Television. He is a Teaching Artist focusing on photography, video editing and music management. From 2009-12 Jarmel worked as a Videographer focusing on editing and video recording at Main Attraction Production, a media-based company. Jarmel’s upcoming project is a film entitled, Living the Life, that will bring awareness of STD’s & AIDS to youth & young adults.

Jarmel will join KP Dennis, Story Stitchers Director of Music, & Special Guests Chris Hansen, Waheed Abduhl Muhaimin, Mario Miles-Turnage & Brandon McCadner for a Perception Isn’t Always Reality Concert Performance & Story Stitchers Fundraiser entitled —

THE WEIGHT OF WORDS,  February 28th at Kranzberg Arts Center.

To see Jarmel & KP’s latest music videos scroll down the page:

http://storystitchers.co/portfolio/black-history-month-events/

It’s not too late to join us & add your voice to the Video Sketchbook! Submissions are due Friday, 1/16.

http://storystitchers.co/portfolio/black-history-month/

The Video Sketchbook will give a glimpse of what we are seeing and hearing in the city. Stitchers Teen Council members have created a video piece in collaboration with Mike Pagano at the Nine Network’s NineLAB and United Story. Teens spent two weeks collecting footage & another two Saturdays with Mike inside the NineLAB! They are ready to submit their work to the Perception Isn’t Always Reality Video Sketchbook. Thank you Mike Pagano & Nine Network for sharing your equipment, space and expertise with us!!!

We are accepting submissions from St. Louis area artists to the Perception Isn’t Always Reality exhibition through Jan 16th. Work should reflect on the theme of the exhibition or Black History Month. Entries will be curated to create a community video sketchbook by the Stitcher’s Artistic Director of Videography, Jarmel Reece. The sketchbook will be projected in the Incubator/Gallery Space at Kranzberg Arts Center February 6-28. Opening night is February 6th.

Bipolar Series VIII by writer and photographer Kait Mauro is a recent submission to the exhibition. Kait is also exhibiting in “Portrait” at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar, opening tonight, January 9th, 5:30-7:30.

Add your voice!

Entry Details are here: http://storystitchers.co/portfolio/black-history-month/

Teen Council members are participating in a project to document issues related to recent incidents in Ferguson, MO through the Nine Network Public Television station and United Story.

Here Council members videotape an interview with Kerry Soraci, owner of I Scream Cakes, a delicious and unique ice cream shoppe on Cherokee Street. Of course, we had to taste, too…!

Teen Council members explore career paths they are interested in…here Council members look ahead on New Year’s Eve and taste the artistic masterpieces of Chef David Kirkland at Osage Cafe on Olive Street. David shared the story of his career and insights into the path to becoming a chef. We tasted a delicious bruschetta with an onion jam and Gruyere cheese… and wonderful desserts—YUM!!! The teens learned there is no short path to becoming a chef — its a lot of hard work, years in the kitchen and learning as you go but if food is your passion and you enjoy feeding people healthy and creative dishes then it can be a great way to earn your living! Thanks for sharing with us Chef Kirkland!! Happy New Year!!!

Rick Lowe is a nationally recognized artist who has served his community in Houston with a project called Project Rowe Houses for over 20 years. I visited him there once about 9 years ago. He was playing checkers with some neighbors in the community house. He is a pleasant, easy-going man. He got up and showed me around the Project, picking up a small piece of trash from the grass as we talked. He is a leader in social practice in Houston and beyond and now also a MacArthur fellow.

Here’s to you Rick! Congratulations!

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/arts-theater/article/Houston-s-MacArthur-fellow-keeps-churning-out-5981366.php?t=93dc731ff49f2d3e1a&cmpid=fb-premium#/3

The circular symbol in our logo comes from the West African Adinkra symbol called Adinkrahene, chief of the Adinkra symbols. It stands for greatness, charisma and the importance of playing a role in community leadership.

Adinkra cloth is hand-stamped in Ghana and worn by people in a variety of social and festive gatherings. Adinkra symbols express various themes related to the history, beliefs, and philosophy of the Asante people of Ghana. Sometimes they are related to wisdom as taught through traditional proverbs. Adinkra cloth has been called story cloth, as numerous symbols are stamped in blocks on one cloth, perhaps telling the story of a person’s life.

I have stitched this simple design many times. It is a beautiful symbol of community.

We want to give a shout out to Jessica Colangelo who designed it for us during her visit this week to St. Louis. Thanks Jesse!

Susan