

Thoughts and opinions from a Priest in the PNCC
An exhibit of works by Franciszek Kulon at the Grand Prospect Hall opens Saturday, May 14th at 7pm. The exhibition will continue through May 19th, daily from 10am to 5pm. Grand Prospect Hall is located at 263 Prospect Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY.
Franciszek C. Kulon is a passionate, forceful painter, Kulon is influencing art through his striking ability to capture emotionalism on canvas. His artwork uniquely captures the spirit and soul of the subject painted. While often controversial, his work ranges in style from “modern realism with surreal elements,” to impressionism, to abstract.
Kulon was born in Sanok, Poland, and developed his skills in the traditional manner, studying with masters such as Bronislaw Naczas, Edward Kiferling, Marian Kruczek, and Michal Bylina. Today, Kulon lives in the Catskills, not far from New York City, and paints subject matter that moves his sensitive nature. This can result in sublimely executed portraits and landscapes. However, his art often deals with the poverty, cruelty and pathos of human existence which, according to Kulon, has been degraded through social forces beyond individual human control. His paintings have become part of museum, gallery, and private collections in Europe, Asia, and the United States.
The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” — John 12:12-13
Stephen Iachetta and Rod Driscoll as Friends Union Band will be performing this evening, Saturday, April 16th, 7:30pm at a very special folk concert evening launching the “Music at the Meeting House” series. The concert will take place at the Historic 1848 Shaker Meeting House, 25 Meeting House Road, (Next to Albany International Airport), Colonie, NY. Refreshments will be served and proceeds will help support the Shaker Heritage Society – America’s First Shaker Settlement circa 1776.
Friends Union Band features Adirondack hammer dulcimer, 6 and 12 string guitar, and vocalist, Rod Driscoll with fiddle master Steve Iachetta. Their repertoire consists of innovative and traditional roots music. I highly recommend attending. A good cause and great music!
The Shaker Heritage Society is a chartered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.
This year’s Literary Debutante Ball will celebrate five One Story authors who published their first book in the last year, and honor novelist and memoirist Dani Shapiro for her role as a mentor to so many emerging writers. The night will feature the debutante procession, an art auction, and a signature BULLDOG gin cocktail, “The Six Poisons,” named for One Story issue #69 by Dani Shapiro.
The 2011 Literary Debutantes are: Robin Black, Susanna Daniel, Seth Fried, Jerry Gabriel, and Jim Hanas.
Tickets are currently on sale. The Ball takes place on Friday, April 29, 2011 from 7-11pm at The Invisible Dog Art Center, 51 Bergen Street (btw. Court St. & Smith St.), Brooklyn, NY 11201.
One Story is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by readers and by grants from organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and Amazon.com. This event is generously sponsored by Bulldog Gin, among others.
The International Project “Art for Peace” – 14th edition will be judging submissions from children and youth ages 4 through 16 on the subject: Art For Forests Of My Country. Judging takes place in November 2011.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, forests represent 31% of terrestrial coverage, serving as a shelter for 300 million people and also directly ensuring the survival of 1.6 billion humans and 80% of the planet’s biodiversity.
The predatory exploitation and disrespect of the natural life cycle of forests leads to the extinction of many species of wild fauna and flora and trigger serious consequences to human life because they are a source of drinking water and food.
Deforestation and forest degradation are responsible for 20% of greenhouse gases emitted, causing the worsening of climate change. This rate is higher than all global transport emissions.
In order to aware the entire world population about the vital importance of their forests, the United Nations declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests.
Teachers are asked to work with their students on a project supporting the preservation of forests and their importance in ensuring life on the planet. Students should express themselves through art and messages about conservation of their country’s forests. An educational component focused on environmental preservation, social responsibility, and peace should be part of the project.
The work may be sponsored and submitted by children and youth in a school, community organization, on behalf of a company (the children of employees), an academy, library, or individually. All works must be received by October 21, 2011.
Suggested topics that might be addressed include:
Please see the attached rules in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.