Saturday September 18, the ARS Gallery-Arts & Culture Center will partner with Third Coast Surf Shop, North Pier Brewing and Sauve’ Art Foundation to present the 8th annual ‘I Am the Greatest’ beach bash.
This end of summer event benefits the “I Am the Greatest” project. The project, in its 10th year, supports underserved youth in our area through arts and cultural education, while using the story of Muhammad Ali to teach lessons about community and personal growth.
“The various classes, camps and programming are designed to teach and assist youth in accessing their strengths and determining their goals, through lessons about community art and the history of Muhammad Ali” said Anna Russo-Sieber, Founder ARS Gallery-Arts & Culture Center.
The ‘I Am the Greatest’ project has gained broad recognition over the years from the Muhammad Ali Center, who came to visit one of the workshops, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. ARS Gallery is currently working with the school to helping participants earn college credit and pursue arts-based career options.
The proceeds from this event go to support the ‘I Am the Greatest’ project and its impact on area teens. The program however has become more than a series of classes, and a place where teens can find strength, friendship, and a unique avenue of self-expression.
“Now more than ever our youth need these experiences and opportunities offered to them at ARS, to develop their creativity, and feel supported! To be able to express themselves and their thoughts and feelings through lessons in art and introspective writing are extremely cathartic and healing,” Observes Russo-Seiber.
The classes that are held to support area youth, are accentuated with the ‘I Am the Greatest’ public art project. You may have seen these bright orange, life size, silhouettes of Muhammad Ali on area buildings and public spaces. The students of the ARS classes, work with a smaller version of this statue to express themselves and gain introspection. When they see these statues around the community it is a visual reminder for them to persevere and be inspired through Ali’s positive influence and his story of overcoming adversity.
The “I Am The Greatest” Beach Bash takes place Saturday, September 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. at North Pier Brewing, 670 N Shore Drive, Benton Harbor. This years Beach Bash will feature local comfort cuisine, craft beer, wine, surf sweets, a silent auction with experiences for you to choose from and live music by singer Julia James. Tickets are $35, and can be purchased at http://arsartsandculture.org/
