Keeping tabs on two Co-Creators

Two people are making some serious hay these days at the Co-Creative Center on Union Street in downtown New Bedford.

Actually, there are many more members oozing with creativity and purpose, but I’m trying to give my beleaguered editor a break and stick within a few hundred words, at least, of the space allowed State of the Arts. Have no fear; we’ll get to the others soon enough!

But this week, we’re following up on the activities of Beatriz Oliveira and Meredith Birch, two persons whose names have previously graced this column.

Beatriz Oliveira was responsible for putting together the great show, “Verse to Video” at the CO+ last August. It featured the music, artwork and animation of Eddie Dillon and Glenn Alexander. It’s part of the programming she manages as owner of Beatriz & Company. Hatch Street Studios is another client now.

Meredith Birch is the founder of Artible(SoCo), Inc. It’s a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks to help entrepreneurs, or rather artpreneurs, develop the skills necessary to follow their ambition in the creative economy. The first student cohort class just graduated, and the second is ready to launch on March 5.

Both are digging deep into the creative soil that gives rise to so much in the City of New Bedford.

Beatriz Oliveira had an idea for a New Year’s Eve party: a Midnight Supper with Frida & Diego. The themed, catered party took place at the Co-Creative Center, featuring food (some by Union Street neighbor Destination Soups), music, artwork and more than a bit of auld lang syne.

It was an astounding success. Oliveira states, “The NYE event sold out in less than two weeks. It was quite popular and fit wonderfully with the gallery exhibit featuring the large scale work of painter Mark Phelan.” In all, 76 people spent New Year’s Eve at the midnight supper.

A sequel was demanded. So, engaging her fertile mind, she next dreamed up “Desserts with Dali,” which took place a few weeks ago. It attracted 98 people.

Ticket inquiries came from as far away as Newport, Rhode Island. It’s safe to say, she has a hit idea on her hands, and lots of people are noticing — and thus being drawn to the city.

For “Desserts with Dali,” GNB Voc-Tech Culinary Instructor (and former New Bedford Ward 3 councilor) Henry Bousquet contacted Oliveira and offered the baking prowess of the culinary students to her for the event.

She says, “The … students baked cupcakes, cookies and brownies for our ‘Dessert With Dali’ event at cost. That was a very generous and kind gesture! I loved that the students had a big part in making that event so special — the desserts were absolutely delicious!”

That sweet synergy extends to the venue itself. Oliveira notes that, “The Co-Creative Center just naturally revealed itself as the perfect venue in which to shape some of these ideas into reality. Dena (Haden, CO+ Program director) has been incredibly supportive and welcoming.

“She gets excited about the concepts we discuss. That fuels my energy and enthusiasm to execute. Artful events that bring our diverse community together, allowing everyone to participate in creative ways, that's always the goal.”

The goal will be further pursued when the next art-themed food and social event takes place on Saturday, April 27.

The “Mad Hatter Tea Party” promises to take us through the looking glass. Guests are welcome to “dress artfully,” Beatriz prompts, and also create spectacular hats. A prize will awarded for Best Dressed, chosen by the votes of all attendees. She’s limiting this one to only 50 guests, so be sure to follow the Coastin’ Facebook group for the event info.

While Beatriz Oliveira has been allowing adults to act like kids, Meredith Birch has been making sure that students get to pursue their artistic ambition as adults with Artbile(SoCo), Inc. at the CO+.

The fall cohort class for area high school students from New Bedford, Fairhaven, Fall River, and Marion wrapped up with an exhibit showcasing the participants’ artwork on Friday, Feb. 15 in the CO+ gallery.

Birch explains, “The Artrepreneur (YA) Series program is a 12-week program that is broken into three modules: Learn, Create & Sell.

“Each participant comes to the program with an interest in the arts and entrepreneurship and their own area of focus. Participants develop their brand as an artist, learn about marketing and promotion, create pricing, and curate an art show.”

Which is ... their own. The program’s finale spotlights all the work each participant completed over the 12 weeks.

The students weren’t the only ones learning over 12 weeks.

Birch writes that, “Going into the pilot, I knew there was a need for an art and entrepreneur program for our local young adult art community. Through the course of the program, I learned firsthand just how much it was needed.

“I heard stories of an undersupply of art materials; lack of exposure to art museums, galleries, studios; and a need for financial literacy and basic business skills.

“Participants learned these things, although I also saw growth in self-esteem, confidence development, rejuvenated art making, and an overall appreciation of the Arts as a whole.

“One of my participants was leaving Hatch Street Studios after visiting with two local artists and stated, ‘I haven't been this excited about art in a long time.’

“This is the fuel that keeps me doing what I do.”

The program’s funding comes from the MassHire Greater New Bedford Workforce Development Board, and as such needs to adhere to the WIOA after school programming standards.

Interested candidates should contact the MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center at 508-990-4000 to discuss eligibility requirements.

(In a previous column, I wrote that Artible(SoCo) also received Creative Commonwealth funding, which was incorrect. Both Artible(SoCo) and the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, which administers the Creative Commonwealth Initiative with Barr Foundation funding, do hope to work together in the future, each conveyed to me, however.)

Artible(SoCo) is currently recruiting for their spring cohort, with an anticipated start date of March 5. The deadline is until the cohort is full. Call the number above or see artiblesoco.com for more information.

Steven Froias blogs for the coworking facility, Groundwork! at NewBedfordCoworking.com. Email: StevenFroias@gmail.com.