http://www.marinij.com/sanrafael/ci_22868556/dominican-university-photo-project-aims-raise-awareness-about

"The photos of Simon and all the other participants will ultimately take shape as a 10-foot-tall, 80-foot-wide piece of art comprised of 3-by-5-foot posters of each person. The project will remain on the undercrossing for six weeks after the April installation.

Sondag said she hopes the project will generate discussion in the community about the need to provide quality education to everyone. She said the project's site at Bellam Boulevard is symbolic.

"Where it's located, it divides the Canal from other parts of Marin," Sondag said."

Fortnight was proud to host the 3rd annual ArtBreak day this year in downtown San Rafael.  We had over 60 people stop by and make art with us.  Some stayed for only a few minutes while others stayed for hours, literally.  There were two young men, James and Tony, who turned their ArtBreak into an all-day affair.  They had never met but by the end of the day they had developed a bond through their mutual devotion to creating art.

James sat down around 10AM and began working on a drawing of a starfish with oil pastels.  He diligently added all the detailed patterning.  Strangers who sat down at the table where he was working were entranced by his focused and joyful energy.  If they asked him what he was working on, he would hold up his piece and and with a beaming grin.  I was volunteering under the ArtBreak tents for 5 hours and during that time James completed at least six drawings - we were so happy he found us!

Another young man named Tony also spent most of the day with us making art.  He was fastidious and passionate about his work.  He even went back home to brought a set of his favorite markers to share with others.  He began inviting strangers to join him at the table and his enthusiasm was contagious.  James and Tony had totally different artistic styles but there was mutual respect and recognition between them that developed over the course of the day.  They both simply loved to sit and draw and their presence brought a calm to the event which was the tenor of the day.

In addition to the free art making, Fortnight Collective was asking citizens of San Rafael to participate in a project called "Love/Loathe/Long For"  Three giant lists covered one of the tables and people were asked to reflect on how they felt about San Rafael.  What did they love about our city?  What did they loathe?  Long for?  The lists were hung up on a line as a colorful backdrop to ArtBreak Day and later sewn into a large accordion book which is currently being exhibited at on Fourth Street.

The project served as a launching pad for many important conversations that took place over the course of the day about our city and the role that the arts play in it.  Many people commented, "I wish there were opportunities for public dialogue like this," and one woman asked, "How much funding would you need to offer an ArtBreak every week?"  This was valuable feedback for Fortnight as we aim to facilitate civic dialogue through the arts and there is clearly in need in our community.  The book project is ongoing and we hope it will generate more conversations and opportunities to re-imagine San Rafael.  Stay tuned!

Many thanks to the good folks at Art Is Moving Now for the art supplies and support to make this day happen.