A New Beginning, Inauguration 2009 (Poem)

A seemingly perfect flag blows in the wind.
People gathered as never before to see and
Feel the presence of our 44th President Obama.
Echoes of the past all around,
A new day is upon us.

The world watching intensely,
Listening to every word.
This is a day that many never imagined would come.
This is a day full of new beginning.

A day of hope, peace, and joy.
A day of acknowledgment, of spoken truths.
A day of freedom.
A day of new beginnings,
New beginning for all.

Looking back, yet moving forward,
Rebuilding unpleasant decisions made
Will be the task at hand.

Now is the time for all to do our part.
To make this a better place,
A place free of prejudice.
We hold the power to make this United States a place of
Unity, justice, and freedom.
This is a new beginning for all.

© Nicola Parente, 2009

One of Parente's paintings to be auctioned during Art4Life

Saturday, January 24, 2009,
Vine Street Studios (FotoFest Building)
6pm Patron Reception
7pm Art Auction
9pm Dance Party featuring Molly and the Ringwalds



One of Parente's paintings to be auctioned during Art4Life.

The Mukuru "Arts for AIDS" Series, named by an African God of compassion, combines art with a social cause. All proceeds from Mukuru events and performances, including those raised by Art4Life, fund housing, food, prevention, youth and benefit counseling programs for those living with and/or at risk for HIV/AIDS infection in Greater Houston.

To purchase tickets or sponsorship, please call 713.623.6796, ext 224 or visit www.mukuru.org

Parente to participate in Artopia 2009 - Houston Press and Spacetaker

Food. Art. Fashion.
January 24, 2009
8-11PM

Houston Press is hosting it's inaugural event Artopia on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Winter Street Studios (2101 Winter Street, Houston). Join us from 8 p.m.-11p.m. when we bring together a stimulation of the senses in the form of visual art, performing art, live music and fashion.

Artopia is dedicated to highlighting the Houston area's rich and diverse artists, musicians, fashion designers, culinary masters and cocktail creators. The MasterMinds Award Ceremony, awarding $2,000 each to 3 local visionary artists, will be held during the event.

General admission tickets are inclusive of complimentary food, wine, cocktail, and beer sampling. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Spacetaker.org.

Featuring musical performances by: The Sideshow Tramps, Arthur Yoria and Karina Nistal

Featuring dance performances by: Houston Metropolitan Dance Company and Dominic Walsh Dance Theater

Featuring art by: Nicola Parente, Patrick Medrano, Uncle Charlie, Anthony Butkovich, Steve Harris, Carlos Hernandez, Brian Boyter, Char Koehler, Alison Brown, Saba Jawda, John Sweeney, Howard Sherman, Kimberly Gremillion, Cody Ledvina, Rodger Standridge, Phillip Perez, Micah Simmons, Sorange Castillo, *ankah*, Y. E. Torres

To purchase tickets, please click on the link above.

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a super exciting, art filled, love making, friendship nurturing, memory making 2009!!! Happy 2009 Everyone!