You can keep up with Freedom as he travels around sharing his story & the story of these children at his website: http://omartslinkrodriguez.wordpress.com/

Here are some highlights:

• On Friday May 28th we hosted the first “One Night Only” event. 5 local artists displayed their artwork & the talented Jared & Lauren Hard duo entertained us. Ben West also spent some time interviewing each of the artists & produced a short documentary on each one.  We hope to post those up here soon.
• On June 8th we had a concert featuring Cass Harris (from Northwest Arkansas) & Sara Swenson (from Kansas City). They are both really talented singer/songwriters & we were honored to have them here!
• On June 22nd Garnett’s own Carl Lolar & his 5 piece jass/rock/soul band The RainMen came & played a concert. They were so much fun! If you missed them that night, you can catch them at Elwoods @ 19th & Riverside on July 10th & 30th from 6-9pm.

SO-who else would you like to see come play at Cafe Mosaic? Whose artwork should we highlight? Whose story needs to be told here? Let us know-we want to hear from you!  cafemosaictulsa@gmail.com

Cass Harris & Chris Tucker:

The One Night Only crowd:

Clint Parson’s pottery:

Kristen Durrett’s photography:

Here’s short word from Freedom about this project:

The desire to paint 100 faces is an expression of the life changing memories I have of my visits to Africa. With this collection, I hope to raise awareness of the needs in Africa and help fund our full-time arts ministry. These faces represent the increasing burning in my heart to serve those in need.

Each painting is done in acrylic on old discarded children’s books. The series represents the millions of orphans that have been discarded or abandoned. Many have been given over to orphanages for the chance of a better life. Nevertheless, these children need to feel and know that they have a story still worth reading about. No matter what they have gone through, God still desires them to live fully and with the purpose God created them for.

http://omartslinkrodriguez.wordpress.com/

We are excited to have Freedom join us & hope you’ll come hear his story, as he shares the stories of these children of Africa. Jared & Lauren Hard will also be joining us to lead us in worship.

-Austin Pennick (paintings)

-Clint Parsons (pottery)

-Jared Haltom (illustrations)

-Kristen Durrett (photography)

-Mike Hornsby (woodturning)

Thanks to all the artists for the time it took to both create their pieces, as well as display them & have Ben interview each of them. And thanks to all who came out & joined us!  We hope to have more events like this, so if you’re interested in helping host it, or if you have art you want to include-just let us know!

Beth (cafemosaictulsa@gmail.com)

1. We’re extending our open hours on Wednesdays to be from 4pm-7pm. So this week-come early for the community meal & stop by the cafe!

2. Friday May 28th @ 7pm will be a local art event called “One Night Only” where we will highlight a few local artists (including some of Garnett’s very own!) & tell you a little about each of them.

3. Tuesday June 8th @ 7pm will be a concert featuring Beth Wests very dear friend, Sara Swenson. She’s a school teacher by day & a singer/songwriter by night. And she’s coming all the way from Kansas City to play a show for us! Check out her website & listen to some of her songs…then make plans to come out on the 8th & see her live! [www.saraswenson.com/music]

We’ll have…

Hor d’ourves by Chef Roy (http://poachedpearinc.com/) and live music by The Prairie Dawgs! (http://www.myspace.com/prairiedawgstulsa)

Silent & Live auction items include:

- wood turning pieces by Garnett’s very own Ken Hager & Mike Hornsby. See Ken’s pieces here: (http://www.lovettsgallery.com/browse/detail.asp?id=61)

- an “up & coming” musician basket with some local artists’ cds including Cass Harris (http://www.cassharrismusic.com), Sara Swenson (http://www.saraswenson.com) & Traci Rae Letellier (http://traciraeletellier.typepad.com/)

- signed books by Greg Taylor

- Ugandan necklaces

- cards by Seeds of Hope (http://www.sharingseedsofhope.com

-photography by Ben West (http://www.poolhouseblack.com)

-a tree

-gift certificates for Joe Momma’s pizza (http://joemommas.com/)

-a pony painting party (perfect for a child’s birthday party!)

(and MORE!)

Some come out to Garnett Church of Christ/the Green Country Event Center & learn about some really exciting things happening in East Tulsa.

We raised about $1,400 from the pancake breakfast & about $1,300 from Ken’s beautiful wood-turning pieces! Combined with some other gifts that have come in we have about $3,000 already!

Keep your ears open for some upcoming events at Cafe Mosaic, and your eyes open for some changes to the Mall thanks to your generosity.