Pay it Forward: Invest in the Arts

Hawa Lassanah is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Pay it Forward: Invest in the Arts in Lancaster and Invest in me
Help to send Hawa to study at the renowned CCA Andratx, Mallorca Spain

Hello all.

My name is Hawa Lassanah and today is a big day for me. Today is the day I resolve my sovereignty and ask you, my community, for help. As a young woman who was raised by a single mother to live a life rich with dignity, independence, and humility, these traits have served me well in my years. However, more recently I’ve been on the path to realizing that true success in life is something which cannot happen without the support of my surrounding community. The concept that “it takes a village” is certainly not a new one for me, but I have not yet become accustomed to being on the side of asking for assistance. However, when I look back at my professional trajectory, you all have in fact been there for me in hugely impactful ways:

2010: A group of friends and myself decided to deepen the artistic experience (beyond free wine) in Lancaster, so we started a group for community and artistic/creative discussion. We called it "I Go Out on First Friday with a Discerning Eye and Not for the Free Wine". You, the community, were there to help support the idea and showed us your love through follows and likes on social media.

2012: I decided to take this casual group to the next level and incorporate the Discerning Eye Foundation for Arts and Education in order to host events, I took on a Facebook personality dedicated to informing and inspiring, as well as started my blog, www.DiscerningEyesMouthpiece.com, highlighting the best and brightest of the year. Your vote was cast for us and the importance of accessibility, creativity, and conversation in our local arts community.

2014: I decided to take the biggest leap of faith and open a brick-and-mortar gallery location in order to be of the fullest service to our local community. The Discerning Eye Center for the Arts (DECA) was conceived and run with the hopes of further solidifying our community by gathering in a shared, accessible space; to bring fellow creatives together, to encourage further exploration, to equalize the playing field for young, avant-garde artists trying to gain a foothold in the regional and national art world; to help spur the local economy by offering another option for young people to support themselves; and to help culturally advance our “City of Makers” by providing incentive to keep our young creatives local. You, my community, showed up, purchased artwork from 30+ artists over the years, supported local musical acts, and contributed to the growth of the Lancaster Arts scene through your participation.

I am so eternally grateful for your assistance along the way and so many have benefited from your cooperation. However, in 2016, I must request a deeper commitment from you as my commitment is about to deepen as well.

I have been offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a six- to eight-month customized International Contemporary Arts Mangement internship program from one of the largest and most well-renowned private galleries in Europe located in Mallorca, Spain, called CCA Andratx (Center for Contemporary Art). The program would begin in March 2017 and last through October 2017.

This opportunity would allow me to learn under the esteemed Patricia Asbaek, who herself has amassed a reputation around Europe for recognizing raw and undeveloped artists, as well as professional modern and contemporary artists. She has established multiple galleries in Copenhagen and elsewhere in Europe with her husband, the artist Jacob Asbaek.

Areas of study would include:
Art Installation
International Transport
Art Consulting
Gallery Management
Expanding Network
And more…

Notwithstanding the opportunity to work alongside and network with the height of European Art patrons and trending contemporary artists.

In order to take advantage of this opportunity, I realize it is necessary to temporarily close DECA as it exists today in order to save money and reformulate our business plan in order to account for my future skill set. DECA as a center will no longer be, however, the Discerning Eye Foundation will continue to exist as an online outlet for inspiration and motivation.

Regarding the DECA, I aim to:
Sign a number of artists to represent while overseas to my new network of buyers
Revamp our website in order to facilitate sales while I am overseas
Retain my employee(s) to manage the production and transport of purchased artwork
Preceding my return, solidify a new location for DECCA (Discerning Eye Center for Contemporary Art), which is a project already in the works with a choice of two viable downtown locations
Incorporate all the lessons I have learned through six years of being an Arts Advocate and Gallerist into a new creative and culturally-enriching venture

In order to achieve this dream fully, I am seeking your help in getting me there and sustaining my stay.

Funds received will be used for:
A ROUND-TRIP plane ticket to from NYC to Mallorca, Spain (approx 1,600 USD)
Appropriate luggage to facilitate a six to eight month stay (1,500 USD)
Food and nourishment (15 USD per day)
Bicycle for transportation (700 USD)
Any funds raised over the goal will be used for travel, food and amenities.

Alongside running the DECA, this past year I have been working to give back to my community as a full-time as Clubhouse Director for Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster. The lessons in management, leadership, love and creativity this position has given me are invaluable and I am certain I could not have made it to this point nor would I be able to successfully progress to this next point without my BGC experiences. I am so sad to be leaving this wonderful organization but my expectations as a role model and leader will not end with my departure. Communication with the organization will remain intact during my trip as I plan to Skype with the clubhouses to allow the kids to, in effect, come with me and experience another possibility for their own lives as I travel the world and expand my own.

I aim to save at least 3,500 USD over the next seven months to match donations, as well as raising more through local fund raising techniques such as a massive yard sales (clothing, books, and artwork). Any amount you can donate would be an amazing and necessary help to me, as well as an investment in the future of our city.

To all of you: my friends and family out there, if I could inspire just 175 people to donate $20 USD, I will be well on my way to reaching my proposed goal.