[Press Release] Park West Gallery Sponsors New York Neo-Pop Artist Leslie Lew to Conduct Free Art Workshops for Detroit Area Children
Lew’s children’s book “Buki’s Garden” teaches a life lesson that diversity should be celebrated
Southfield, Mich. — New York-based Park West Gallery artist, Leslie Lew, will visit the Detroit area June 17 – 20 to conduct a series of free art education workshops at a wide variety of children’s centers in metro Detroit. Lew, a renowned American neo-pop artist, uses “Buki’s Garden,” a story she wrote and illustrated, to tell the tale of a not so attractive kitty who shows that being different can have its advantages.
Lew’s “Buki’s Garden Workshop” was made possible by a grant she received in 2004 from the New York Arts Council for the purpose of helping artists enrich the quality of life in their various communities.
The object lesson of “Buki’s Garden” is to teach children of all ages that being different is nothing to be ashamed of, since we are all different in many ways. The message Lew seeks to impart on children is that differences among people, even those in the animal kingdom, are a natural part of life. She highlights the fact that diversity, on all levels, enhances rather than detracts from who we are as human beings.
Lew begins her workshops by reading the story of “Buki,” after which the children are given an opportunity to discuss the book, comment on what they’ve learned and encouraged to ask questions. Lew then uses her own special touch to transform the painting portion of her workshops into a magical moment her young artists will cherish for the rest of their lives. Every child is given their own 3-D version of “Buki” which Lew has mounted on white canvas board outlined in black. The kids are given an assortment of colors with which to paint their own versions of “Buki” and turned loose to express their own unique creativity.
“Leslie is not only an extraordinarily gifted artist, but a person of enormous charity and goodwill who utilizes her talents to enrich the lives of others and instill in them an appreciation and love for art,” said Albert Scaglione, founder and CEO of Park West Gallery.
Lew works in sculpted oil, utilizing sculpturally rich swirls of vivid color to capture on canvas the essence of whatever image she is creating and bringing it to life. Lew has exhibited her art at museums and galleries throughout the United States and across the world including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London and Sofia, Bulgaria.
“It gives me great joy and a sense of personal fulfillment to be able to introduce young children to the amazing world of art, and teach them that painting can be fun,” Lew said. “Who knows? Maybe some of these children will one day become artists, or at least use the medium as a recreational outlet.”
Leslie Lew’s “Buki’s Garden Workshops” will be held at the following locations the week of June 17 – 20, with dates and times included:
Monday, June 17 at Little Oaks Child Care Center, 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac from 10 am to noon (two separate groups); Children’s Hospital of Michigan, 3901 Beaubien in Detroit from 2 to 3 pm
Tuesday, June 18 at Children’s Village, 1200 N. Telegraph Rd. in Pontiac from 4:30 to 5:30 pm; Grace Centers of Hope, 35 E. Huron Street in Pontiac from 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Wednesday, June 19 at HOPE Center for Children, 1550 Oakman Blvd. in Detroit from 9:30 to 11:30 am (two separate groups)
Thursday, June 20 at Missionary Baptist Church, 143 Oneida Street in Pontiac from 3 to 4 pm
Press contact: For media inquiries only, please contact Bob Dustman at (248)-568-2925 or bob.dustman@gmail.com.
