SYNERGY PROJECTS 2003 – 2023
2003
Fire House Fundraiser & Auction, Little Italy, San Diego
2004
Umzingwane Aids Orphans, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
2005
Ubuntu Event/Drum Café, Escondido
Classics4Kids, San Diego
Technomania Circus
Solana Beach Coastal Rail Trail
Sledgehammer Theater
2006
Mardi Gras in May
StoryArts
Tipitinis Foundation, impacted musicians from Katrina, New Orleans
Pruitt Igoe
2007
Cirque de Synergie, House of the Future, San Diego
Charlie Miller, Artist, Benefit
Planet Rooth Gallery, Benefit
BL/EV Barrio Logan East Village Arts District
2008
Affordable Space for Arts Conference (NEA grant)
After the Fires Benefit for Peru earthquake victims
2009
Bohemian Beatnik Bash, House of the Future, San Diego
Studio 2nd. Street Benefit, Encinitas
San Pasqual Arts Program, North County
2010
Hope for Haiti Benefit for Haitian artists impacted by the earthquake
Arts Ready, Emergency Disaster Preparedness (San Diego Foundation grant)
3-D Revelry, House of the Future, San Diego
2011
Young Audiences Art Program
Lifelife Art Project, North County branch
All About Music
Candy Cane Benefit (Belly Up)
2012
Artenkosi, sculpture collaboration, Kwanokuthula, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
WOW, Women of Warriors, San Diego (started)
Space4Art, San Diego (started)
Animal Crackers Conspiracy Puppet Company
San Diego Botanic Garden, Through the Eyes
2013
Palettes 2 Plates P2P, 10th. Anniversary (Listed on both)
Kimbrough Elementary School Arts Workshops collaboration with (Feeding America)
Boulder Arts Association
WOW, Women of Warriors, San Diego
Space4Art, San Diego
2014
Roots, World Beat Center
Veladoras Project, Faro Orphanage, Baja, Mexico (Corazon de Vida)
Caesar Chavez School Photography Project (Space4Art)
Riddle High School Ceramics Project, Oregon
Scripps Healing Arts Project (City of Encinitas grant) (started)
2015
Nepal Earthquake (Unatti Foundation)
Encinitas Friends of the Arts (started)
Fern Street Circus
Scripps Healing Arts Project
2016
Vista Art Foundation
Back Fence Society
Opera Neo
La Colonia Folklorico Dance, Solana Beach
Encinitas Friends of the Arts
Scripps Healing Arts Project
2017
Vista Hills ParentCare Art Workshops (started)
Rancho de Los Ninos, Photo Project, Baja, Mexico (Corazon de Vida)
Encinitas Arts & Culture Ecology Alliance, Pacific View Art Center Project, Encinitas
Litvak Dance (started)
Encinitas Friends of the Arts
Scripps Healing Arts Project
Opera Neo
2018
Athenaeum Acoustic Music Series
Puerto Rico Hurricane Artists Benefit
Peace Train Music Project
Aging Creatively, San Diego Dance Theater
Rancho El Faro Orphanage, Veladoras project, Baja, (Corazon de Vida)
Encinitas Friends of the Arts
Litvak Dance
Vista Hills ParentCare Art Workshops
Scripps Healing Arts Project
2019
San Diego Music Hall of Fame
La Bodega Gallery
Encinitas Friends of the Arts
Litvak Dance
Vista Hill ParentCare Art Project
Scripps Healing Arts Project
2020
Space4Art (Covid – assistance for live/work renters/studio artists)
San Diego Filipino Film Festival
City Heights Art Space Project started
Encinitas Friends of the Arts
Litvak Dance
Scripps Healing Arts Project
2021
Athenaeum Acoustic Music Series
Children’s Initiative, Ballet Folklorico classes for refugee children
Yanish Family, Haiti Earthquake victims
Filipino Film Festival
San Diego Musicians Hall of Fame
San Diego Art Prize
Encinitas Friends of the Arts
Litvak Dance
Scripps Healing Arts Project
2022
Athenaeum Acoustic Music Series
Normal Heights CDC Mosaic Project
Encinitas Friends of the Arts
Litvak Dance
Scripps Healing Arts Project
San Diego Music Hall of Fame
San Diego Art Prize
City Heights Art Cooperative
2023
Scripps Healing Arts Project
City Heights Art Space 2
Litvak Dance
San Diego Art Prize
Encinitas Friends of the Arts
2024
Ukraine Art Exhibition, Kri
Scripps Healing Arts Project
Vista Hill ParentCare Project
City Heights Art Space 2
SOME OF OUR PROJECTS.....
VISTA CADMIUM ART CENTER EXHIBITION, KHARKOV, UKRAINE
Synergy Arts Foundation assisted in funding a very special art exhibition in Kharkov, Ukraine, working with the center's director, Daria Kilochko. Since the children of Kharkov are not able to attend public school, Daria has created this center as a safe and creative place for 55-80 children in Kharkov. Their fathers are separated from their families and, since the war began, these children have lived in bomb shelters and subways. Some of them were under occupation and miraculously survived. Kharkov continues to be bombed. Air raid alerts can happen as often as 10 times per day. Under these extreme circumstances Daria has created an amazing arts program for these children. Daria needed funding to frame the artworks and mount the exhibition called “Without Limits” which opened in January, 2024. The 6-10 y.o. children worked on a collaborative 3D artwork with a Ukrainian theme. The 35 students of 11-16 y.o painted images on canvas. Synergy hopes to connect Daria's center with a local San Diego school.
VISTA HILL'S PARENTCARE FAMILY RECOVERY CENTER
Synergy Arts Foundation funds an arts program at Vista Hill’s ParentCare Family Recovery Center*. This organization has been helping “high-risk” families break the cycle of child abuse, neglect, substance abuse and domestic violence for over 26 years. By providing drug rehabilitation, parenting skills classes and much more, ParentCare provides families the opportunity to make critical lifestyle changes and create a safe, nurturing home environment for their children.
Primary benefits of the art project are to enhance self-confidence, focus and patience and to explore creativity and self expression through different art mediums. Simultaneously, the art classes provide a safe environment in which to relax, have fun and promote building a sense of community through sharing creative ideas and solutions.
The primary goal of the ParentCare art program is to provide participants a creative and stimulating opportunity to explore artistic experience and expression. The ParentCare population is primarily mothers and mothers-to-be (18-40) who are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, many of whom have come out of Fostercare and some are homeless. Some mothers bring their infants to class while older children are encouraged to participate. The art instructor, Pam Palmer-Lowe, is a professional interior designer with a background in applied design and management. She includes diverse mediums for these classes with an emphasis on creating “functional” art objects such as quilted pillows, fabric dolls, wooden jewelry and picture frames, holiday ornaments, special occasion cards and much more.
Synergy Arts Foundation assisted in funding a very special art exhibition in Kharkov, Ukraine, working with the center's director, Daria Kilochko. Since the children of Kharkov are not able to attend public school, Daria has created this center as a safe and creative place for 55-80 children in Kharkov. Their fathers are separated from their families and, since the war began, these children have lived in bomb shelters and subways. Some of them were under occupation and miraculously survived. Kharkov continues to be bombed. Air raid alerts can happen as often as 10 times per day. Under these extreme circumstances Daria has created an amazing arts program for these children. Daria needed funding to frame the artworks and mount the exhibition called “Without Limits” which opened in January, 2024. The 6-10 y.o. children worked on a collaborative 3D artwork with a Ukrainian theme. The 35 students of 11-16 y.o painted images on canvas. Synergy hopes to connect Daria's center with a local San Diego school.
VISTA HILL'S PARENTCARE FAMILY RECOVERY CENTER
Synergy Arts Foundation funds an arts program at Vista Hill’s ParentCare Family Recovery Center*. This organization has been helping “high-risk” families break the cycle of child abuse, neglect, substance abuse and domestic violence for over 26 years. By providing drug rehabilitation, parenting skills classes and much more, ParentCare provides families the opportunity to make critical lifestyle changes and create a safe, nurturing home environment for their children.
Primary benefits of the art project are to enhance self-confidence, focus and patience and to explore creativity and self expression through different art mediums. Simultaneously, the art classes provide a safe environment in which to relax, have fun and promote building a sense of community through sharing creative ideas and solutions.
The primary goal of the ParentCare art program is to provide participants a creative and stimulating opportunity to explore artistic experience and expression. The ParentCare population is primarily mothers and mothers-to-be (18-40) who are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, many of whom have come out of Fostercare and some are homeless. Some mothers bring their infants to class while older children are encouraged to participate. The art instructor, Pam Palmer-Lowe, is a professional interior designer with a background in applied design and management. She includes diverse mediums for these classes with an emphasis on creating “functional” art objects such as quilted pillows, fabric dolls, wooden jewelry and picture frames, holiday ornaments, special occasion cards and much more.
CORAZON DE VIDA
Corazon de Vida Foundation (CDV) is a US non-profit organization in its 20th year of operation. CDV helps with funding to orphanages in Baja California, Mexico (13 orphanages), housing over 700 children that rely on its fundraising efforts to survive. its primary focus is fundraising to support the children and strives to be strongly connected to the homes and the children supported. Its funding to the orphanages helps cover life-sustaining needs (food, water, shelter), quality of life improvements and k-12 education. In addition, the organization has a higher education program to help teens that are aging out of the orphanage system continue their education in college or technical schools.
Rancho El Faro is one of the orphanages supported by Corazon de Vida Foundation*. The home is located in the Guadalupe Valley, known as the “Wine Country” of Baja, Mexico, due to its growing wine industry. “Rancho” as it is known, is a home for teen girls from 12 to 18 years of age. Most of these girls come from very tough situations and “Rancho” provides their last opportunity to turn their lives around. Most of the teens are able to attend the local public schools to continue their education. On occasion, some of the new teens arrive without proper documents (birth certificate, school documents, etc.) to attend school and can lose months and up to a year of schooling.
Synergy Arts Foundation funded two ceramics arts project for a select group of teens. Renowned local artist, Beliz Iristay taught these teens how to make and paint ceramic coasters. These were sold to visitors at some of the wineries in the area as well as at the San Diego Art Institute gift shop. In addition to the revenue realized from this project which will help cover some of the home’s needs, the teens also benefit from having Beliz and her team of volunteers serving as mentors and role models and the project provides activities to help keep them engaged and enhancing their self esteem by feeling productive.
Rosa was one of the teens that is participating, she was 14 years old and has a 10-month old baby and is currently not in school. She is from Oaxaca and we found that she is very talented...we want to continue to develop her as she has a lot of challenges ahead with being a single mom and a teen mom. QUOTE FROM ROSA: “I love working on making tiles and I especially enjoy painting them. I am currently not in school and I like having something to do during the day and helping the home”
Synergy undertook another project with Beliz Iristay at Rancho El Faro. She worked with a select group of teenagers to create their own veladoras. Each student made one for herself and an additional one. These were sold and the funds were given back to the orphanage.
Synergy also worked with students at the largest orphanages in Baja called Rancho de los Ninos. The instructor, Elidé Malagamba, a local Baja photographer, taught these children how to use a 35 mm camera, and how to compose and frame photographs. Classes were held every Saturday for a month and students were motivated to explore photography and experiment with their cameras throughout the week. Elidé reviewed each image taken by each student each week and provided constructive feedback.
The objective of this project was to encourage an in-depth knowledge of photography, provide students with much needed arts education, and stimulate their creativity. We believe through this project, each student will have learned not only about composing and framing photographs but also about themselves and their own creative process.
Corazon de Vida Foundation (CDV) is a US non-profit organization in its 20th year of operation. CDV helps with funding to orphanages in Baja California, Mexico (13 orphanages), housing over 700 children that rely on its fundraising efforts to survive. its primary focus is fundraising to support the children and strives to be strongly connected to the homes and the children supported. Its funding to the orphanages helps cover life-sustaining needs (food, water, shelter), quality of life improvements and k-12 education. In addition, the organization has a higher education program to help teens that are aging out of the orphanage system continue their education in college or technical schools.
Rancho El Faro is one of the orphanages supported by Corazon de Vida Foundation*. The home is located in the Guadalupe Valley, known as the “Wine Country” of Baja, Mexico, due to its growing wine industry. “Rancho” as it is known, is a home for teen girls from 12 to 18 years of age. Most of these girls come from very tough situations and “Rancho” provides their last opportunity to turn their lives around. Most of the teens are able to attend the local public schools to continue their education. On occasion, some of the new teens arrive without proper documents (birth certificate, school documents, etc.) to attend school and can lose months and up to a year of schooling.
Synergy Arts Foundation funded two ceramics arts project for a select group of teens. Renowned local artist, Beliz Iristay taught these teens how to make and paint ceramic coasters. These were sold to visitors at some of the wineries in the area as well as at the San Diego Art Institute gift shop. In addition to the revenue realized from this project which will help cover some of the home’s needs, the teens also benefit from having Beliz and her team of volunteers serving as mentors and role models and the project provides activities to help keep them engaged and enhancing their self esteem by feeling productive.
Rosa was one of the teens that is participating, she was 14 years old and has a 10-month old baby and is currently not in school. She is from Oaxaca and we found that she is very talented...we want to continue to develop her as she has a lot of challenges ahead with being a single mom and a teen mom. QUOTE FROM ROSA: “I love working on making tiles and I especially enjoy painting them. I am currently not in school and I like having something to do during the day and helping the home”
Synergy undertook another project with Beliz Iristay at Rancho El Faro. She worked with a select group of teenagers to create their own veladoras. Each student made one for herself and an additional one. These were sold and the funds were given back to the orphanage.
Synergy also worked with students at the largest orphanages in Baja called Rancho de los Ninos. The instructor, Elidé Malagamba, a local Baja photographer, taught these children how to use a 35 mm camera, and how to compose and frame photographs. Classes were held every Saturday for a month and students were motivated to explore photography and experiment with their cameras throughout the week. Elidé reviewed each image taken by each student each week and provided constructive feedback.
The objective of this project was to encourage an in-depth knowledge of photography, provide students with much needed arts education, and stimulate their creativity. We believe through this project, each student will have learned not only about composing and framing photographs but also about themselves and their own creative process.
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SCRIPPS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, ENCINITAS COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Since 2014, this healing arts project is being offered by Synergy Arts Foundation. In collaboration with Scripps Encinitas, Synergy Arts Foundation offers this class free to all Encinitas in-patients and residents who are recovering from any neurological issues, including but not limited to brain injuries, strokes, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, and Multiple Sclerosis. The group is also available to those coping with cancer and multiple traumas. The class provides opportunities to enjoy self-expression through art, reduce stress, increase hand-eye coordination, and stimulate imagination and creativity in a comfortable and supportive environment.
Facilitator's fees and supplies are provided through a grant from the City of Encinitas, Synergy Arts Foundation, and Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas Community Programs. The classes are held at the Scripps Rehabilitation Center in Encinitas as well as remotely.
Since 2014, this healing arts project is being offered by Synergy Arts Foundation. In collaboration with Scripps Encinitas, Synergy Arts Foundation offers this class free to all Encinitas in-patients and residents who are recovering from any neurological issues, including but not limited to brain injuries, strokes, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, and Multiple Sclerosis. The group is also available to those coping with cancer and multiple traumas. The class provides opportunities to enjoy self-expression through art, reduce stress, increase hand-eye coordination, and stimulate imagination and creativity in a comfortable and supportive environment.
Facilitator's fees and supplies are provided through a grant from the City of Encinitas, Synergy Arts Foundation, and Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas Community Programs. The classes are held at the Scripps Rehabilitation Center in Encinitas as well as remotely.
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Space 4 Art Photography for Youth Project
Synergy Arts Foundation collaborated with Space 4 Art to fund a free course in photography for youth from the Greater Logan Heights neighborhoods. Students took photographs in their community, highlighting the unique public spaces, experiences, and relationships in the neighborhood. The students integrated documentary photography and various styles of writing, incorporating history, critical theory, and hands-on investigation to create stories from real life. Students created collages printed on donated vinyl banners displaying their impressions and perceptions of life in the neighborhood.
We worked with business and property owners along Imperial Avenue to select sites to display 10 banners on the outside walls of buildings. Imperial Avenue is the primary commercial corridor in the neighborhood. Beautifying this area has attracted customers and boost the local economy. Publicly displaying art that is created by local youth instills a sense of pride in the neighborhood and can effectively deter tagging. This was an opportunity for local youth to gain multidisciplinary skills in arts and technology that can be applied to their future careers. It was a great way for kids to see how art can positively impact their community.
Synergy Arts Foundation collaborated with Space 4 Art to fund a free course in photography for youth from the Greater Logan Heights neighborhoods. Students took photographs in their community, highlighting the unique public spaces, experiences, and relationships in the neighborhood. The students integrated documentary photography and various styles of writing, incorporating history, critical theory, and hands-on investigation to create stories from real life. Students created collages printed on donated vinyl banners displaying their impressions and perceptions of life in the neighborhood.
We worked with business and property owners along Imperial Avenue to select sites to display 10 banners on the outside walls of buildings. Imperial Avenue is the primary commercial corridor in the neighborhood. Beautifying this area has attracted customers and boost the local economy. Publicly displaying art that is created by local youth instills a sense of pride in the neighborhood and can effectively deter tagging. This was an opportunity for local youth to gain multidisciplinary skills in arts and technology that can be applied to their future careers. It was a great way for kids to see how art can positively impact their community.
Feeding America & Young Audiences
Synergy Arts Foundation partnered with Feeding America SD (FASD) to provide arts educational programming to 150 students at Kimbrough Elementary School. These particular children receive weekly food packages for their families from FASD. SAF retained Young Audiences to coordinate after school music and visual arts programs for these children. Some of the art created by the children was gifted to FASD.
Synergy Arts Foundation partnered with Feeding America SD (FASD) to provide arts educational programming to 150 students at Kimbrough Elementary School. These particular children receive weekly food packages for their families from FASD. SAF retained Young Audiences to coordinate after school music and visual arts programs for these children. Some of the art created by the children was gifted to FASD.
After the earthquake in Port-au-Prince
Hope for Haiti 2010
Synergy Arts Foundation collaborated with Atis-Rezistans located in the poorest neighborhood of Port-au-Prince in which many artists lived. All lost their homes and studios, and several master artists perished together with an untold number of artworks. The Angel of Haiti Project located in Jacmel on the south east coast, established and maintained a school for the most impoverished children for this region. Founded by Haitian-born and raised Dr.Carolle Juan Murat, this organization established a project in 2002 called La Journée des Enfants Pour la Paix (The Children’s Day of Peace) in which 1,000 children are invited to participate in a day of art, including prizes, music, free breakfast, lunch and fresh water. Synergy Art Foundation undertook a fundraiser and sold many of these magnificent, “naïve” children’s artworks. The proceeds were returned directly to this organization to rebuild the school as well as to the artists in Port-au- Prince.
Synergy Arts Foundation collaborated with Atis-Rezistans located in the poorest neighborhood of Port-au-Prince in which many artists lived. All lost their homes and studios, and several master artists perished together with an untold number of artworks. The Angel of Haiti Project located in Jacmel on the south east coast, established and maintained a school for the most impoverished children for this region. Founded by Haitian-born and raised Dr.Carolle Juan Murat, this organization established a project in 2002 called La Journée des Enfants Pour la Paix (The Children’s Day of Peace) in which 1,000 children are invited to participate in a day of art, including prizes, music, free breakfast, lunch and fresh water. Synergy Art Foundation undertook a fundraiser and sold many of these magnificent, “naïve” children’s artworks. The proceeds were returned directly to this organization to rebuild the school as well as to the artists in Port-au- Prince.
WOW Project - Wives of Warriors Retreat
Synergy Arts Foundation has provided on-going grants for this Healing Arts program. The goal of WOW is to support caretakers of soldiers suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain injuries, returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. The program recognizes that the war does not end on the battlefield, but continues in the homes and lives of these affected soldiers returning home. The program provides relief to the caretakers who are themselves beginning to take on trauma of their own. Quarterly day and weekend retreats create an atmosphere of support, relaxation and rejuvenation to defuse stress to these wives and mothers. The creative and healing arts have been an important component of the retreats by helping these women find a safe place to express and explore their diverse feelings and experiences. Journaling, book making, painting and photography have added life, introspection and emotional support. The program team, "Families Adopting Families, includes Tama Dumlao, Brigid Brett and Joyce Noblitt Herold. Recent article: BRETT: Watching out for families of One-Five For more information, see www.wivesofwar.org
Synergy Arts Foundation has provided on-going grants for this Healing Arts program. The goal of WOW is to support caretakers of soldiers suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain injuries, returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. The program recognizes that the war does not end on the battlefield, but continues in the homes and lives of these affected soldiers returning home. The program provides relief to the caretakers who are themselves beginning to take on trauma of their own. Quarterly day and weekend retreats create an atmosphere of support, relaxation and rejuvenation to defuse stress to these wives and mothers. The creative and healing arts have been an important component of the retreats by helping these women find a safe place to express and explore their diverse feelings and experiences. Journaling, book making, painting and photography have added life, introspection and emotional support. The program team, "Families Adopting Families, includes Tama Dumlao, Brigid Brett and Joyce Noblitt Herold. Recent article: BRETT: Watching out for families of One-Five For more information, see www.wivesofwar.org
Artenkozi Sculpture Project, South Africa
Another most interesting project we supported was Artenkozi Project. Although it is unusual to support projects outside of San Diego County, one of
Synergy’s founders, Muffin Bekker, returned to South Africa and is active in the arts community in her area, around Plettenberg Bay. The sculpture, called Nokuthula, approximately 4.5 meters tall, will be installed at the entrance of Kwanokuthula, Plettenberg Bay. The goal is to attract tourists to this impoverished community and engender it an arts heritage site. As part of the fabrication of the sculpture, a training workshop is scheduled for community members in collaboration with an architectural firm. Environmentally-friendly techniques will be taught. Our Synergy ambassador in South Africa, Muffin Balajadi, one of the original co-founders of Synergy.
Another most interesting project we supported was Artenkozi Project. Although it is unusual to support projects outside of San Diego County, one of
Synergy’s founders, Muffin Bekker, returned to South Africa and is active in the arts community in her area, around Plettenberg Bay. The sculpture, called Nokuthula, approximately 4.5 meters tall, will be installed at the entrance of Kwanokuthula, Plettenberg Bay. The goal is to attract tourists to this impoverished community and engender it an arts heritage site. As part of the fabrication of the sculpture, a training workshop is scheduled for community members in collaboration with an architectural firm. Environmentally-friendly techniques will be taught. Our Synergy ambassador in South Africa, Muffin Balajadi, one of the original co-founders of Synergy.