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Greetings Dear Friend & Happy New Year!
Wow! We're already at the end of 2018. How is that even possible?
This was a year full of massive change. We saw so many gains and quite a few losses - on personal, social and political levels. Some will have greater impacts than others… Still, we carry on and do all that we can to try to make the world a better place for all.
Life. It's prickly, isn't it?
QUILL HOUSE (performance still) International Human Rights Art Festival, NYC 2018
I'm writing to share some updates and highlights from 2018, and to ask for your support in helping me amplify the voices of the unheard and make the invisible visible through creative engagement.
As a creative activist, performer, and visual artist, my mission is to uplift people who are struggling in their lives and to promote deep reflection and personal growth through art.
I am deeply grateful to the patrons and organizations that have supported my creative work over the years. It is truly rewarding to witness what a difference it makes in people's lives.
If you would like to be part of making a difference, I invite you to make a contribution to my GoFundMe campaign today.
By encouraging individuals to find the strength to love themselves and to speak their truth, my art practice has helped foster self-empowerment and personal healing since 2001.
 Clemente Sajquiy ~ Artist & Community Organizer with For Freedoms 50 State Initiative, 2018
Do you know what it's like to feel invisible?
Have you ever wished to be invisible?
I have felt this way ~ wishing to be invisible to sexual predators while walking down unfamiliar streets, and feeling invisible in certain social or familial situations where I longed to be seen, appreciated, and heard... What about you?
Millions of people have felt this way ~ and even live this way on a day to day basis. Some wish to be invisible to avoid being targeted for hate crimes or discrimination. Others strive to be heard and valued in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.
 Visible Tracings ~ An Invisibility Lab Experiment performed in Berlin Germany, 2017 (video still)
Through creative expression and public presentations, my work aims to raise awareness of the challenges people face by making the invisible visible, and by amplifying the voices of the unheard, which serves, ultimately, to build stronger, safer, more inclusive communities.
My live art initiatives such as Invisibility Lab, Walk Unafraid, Sin Paredes, We Believe You, The Collaborative Scroll, Quill House, and Incarcerated on Sunday explore aspects of identity, safety, visibility, truth, and justice. (You can learn more about these projects by clicking on the links.)
 Gabrielle Senza ~ Performing Incarcerated on Sunday at the Mount, Lenox MA, 2018 (video still)
2018 was a truly remarkable year ~ so utterly full of creativity, connection & change! And the most exciting part? My projects were appreciated by over 11,274 people in the United States and Germany!
Over the years, my collectors, friends, colleagues, and patrons have donated large and small amounts to help make this work possible.
Will you help out in 2019?
I invite you to be part of my community by making a contribution to my GoFundMe campaign today.
Financial contributions are needed to provide deeply enriching experiences and engaging opportunities that help empower the disempowered, uplift the voices of the unheard, and make the invisible visible.
 Walk Unafraid Managing Director, Tonyehn Verkitus (center) and 2 gentlemen activists in Scranton PA, 2018
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A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2018
Invisibility Lab: NYC - Invisible Sustenance Presentation
@ Open Engagement Conference, NYC
Walk Unafraid - New Partner/Managing Director, New Programs & New Website
Invisibility Lab: Berlin - Creative Research and Presentations
@ ZK/U, Berlin
Incarcerated on Sunday - Live Art Performance
@ Word x Word / The Mount, Lenox, MA
For Freedoms / 50 States Initiative - Partnership with Walk Unafraid & Invisibility Lab to encourage civic engagement & GOTV through the arts
Art That Speaks: Community, Art & Action - Community Art Workshops, Engaging Activities & Exhibitions, Berkshires
Invisibility Lab - Berkshires - Presentation and workshop
@ Harvest of Hope Festival, Pittsfield MA
Navigating & Rerouting - A Walk Unafraid Project
@ Feverish World Symposium, Burlington VT
Glimmer of Hope - Meeting March For Our Lives Founders Emma González, David Hoggs & David Wind on their Glimmer of Hope book tour in Burlington VT
Quill House - Visual theater performance
@ International Human Rights Art Festival, NYC
En Masse - Group exhibition of small work
@ Thompson Giroux Gallery, Chatham NY
2018 Governor's Award Pennsylvania in the Arts - Awarded to Walk Unafraid for our Community Engagement through the Arts programs
. . . . . . .
 Navigating & Rerouting: A Walk Unafraid Project by Jen Berger and Gabrielle Senza, Burlington VT, 2018
Will you help me continue this valuable work in 2019?
Every little bit makes a difference as I use creative engagement to work with at-risk youth, marginalized populations, and thousands of people just longing to be seen, heard and appreciated.
My $12,000 goal will cover about a third of the overall expenses. The rest I hope to raise through sales of my artwork, as well as art and education grants, partnerships, and sponsors. Every contribution will help fund the many aspects of my creative engagement work, including:
- free workshops
- live art performances
- art/workshop materials
- artist & venue fees
- tech support
- travel, transportation, etc.
- marketing, design & PR
- web design, hosting & updates
- office, utilities, etc.
In 2019, I commit to bringing more Love, Light & Joy into the world. Are you with me?
 March For Our Lives Founders David Hogg, Emma González, Alex Wind with Walk Unafraid Founder Gabrielle Senza, Burlington VT, 2018
With your help, I know we can do this!
It is my HOPE that YOU will contribute at least the cost of a LATTE to help support this uplifting creative work. But the more you give, the more we can accomplish in 2019.
WILL YOU MAKE A DONATION TODAY?
We have lots of work to do for the exciting year ahead.
Please Note: If you would prefer to make a large tax-deductible contribution through my non-profit fiscal agent, Fractured Atlas, you can do so here.
There are other ways you can help if making a financial contribution isn’t your thing...
Volunteers experienced in marketing, design, event planning, organizing, content creation, web updates or research are always deeply appreciated. If you are self-motivated and dedicated to making a difference in the world, I invite you to apply.
Or, if you have a business/venue/organization and would like to host or sponsor an event, let's connect!
With gratitude in my heart for any help you can offer, here’s to Creativity, Connection & Change in 2019!
❤️❤️❤️
Gabrielle
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