Archives for January 2017

Palmer proudly announces the members of the 2017 Escapist Mentorship Program:

Laura Burlton               LauraBurlton.com                               Houston, TX
Jan Golden                  JanGoldenArt.com                              Houston, TX
Chuck Redick              Facebook.com/ChuckRedickArt         Houston, TX

These three dedicated artists were picked from dozens of applicants from around the United States.  Courageous artists submit a written application with art images and essays to a jury panel, and then, as a Finalist, they present themselves for an interview at Palmer’s Gallery.  Scoring well in the Interview Phase was critical to advancing as 5 Finalists were interviewed with only 3 applicants earning the 2017 Escapist Artist honor.  Panels for scoring are comprised of top Palmer patrons, including: FCC Members Alfredo Tijerina, Margaret Ferenz & Owen Yang; Alief ISD Trustee Tiffany Thomas, Construction & Design owner Terri Robinson and the City of Houston’s first Cultural Tourism Officer, Necole Irvin.  Read all about the history, mission and goals of this empowering program plus see first-class documentary videos by visiting EscapistProgram.com.

“I cannot believe this is the 9^th year of the program!” exclaims Palmer.  “This grassroots effort to destroy the stereotype of the struggling artist through entrepreneurial training has gained world prestige.  I had no idea the idea would manifest into having a state-of-the-art artist training center with the Chrysalis…complete with solo shows and a black tie graduation.”  The 2017 Escapists will have their first group meeting on Wednesday, January 11^th.  They have already completed their first “challenge” to announce their acceptance into the program in a captivating and meaningful manner via their social networks.  The 2017 Escapist Artist Initiation Ceremony will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18^th at Palmer’s Historic Heights Art Gallery (1218 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008).  The event is open to the public and will feature Alief ISD Trustee Tiffany Thomas in a keynote address before the new Escapist Artists take the historic Pledge of the Escapist.

Palmer’s Art Movement of Escapism is aimed at forever destroy the stereotype of the struggling artist.  His mentorship program, founded in 2009, aims to teach artists how to sell on their own and not be tied to the traditional art gallery system.  Palmer does this as a means of giving back to the art world–it is entirely free.  Since May of 2016, the program has been operated through the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Art Launch.

If you have any questions about Artist John Ross Palmer, his Escapist Mentorship Program (EscapistProgram.com) or the nonprofit Art Launch, please contact Art Launch Executive Director Ryan Lindsay at 281-224-0968 or [email protected].

John Palmer Art has named The H.E.A.R.T. Program as its 2017 Charity of the Year.  After a tremendous amount of research and meetings with non-profit staff and volunteers, John Palmer Art is incredibly excited to support this 501(c)(3) organization for the entire calendar year through the raising of funds, increasing awareness and hosting special events.  It is the mission of H.E.A.R.T. to promote structured independence for persons living with developmental disabilities by providing innovative education, training, housing and employment programs. H.E.A.R.T. trainees operate more than 90 vending machines across the city, and, they serve as the exclusive vendor for Papa John’s Pizza at numerous professional sports venues in Houston.  Just as Palmer empowers artists through his Escapist Mentorship Program, H.E.A.R.T. empowers individuals living with disabilities to achieve the pride and accomplishment possible through education and employment.  You can learn about H.E.A.R.T. by visiting HeartProgram.org.

Artist John Ross Palmer says, “I believe everyone deserves a chance to succeed independently.  Although I serve a very different population with my artist mentorship program, I’m very familiar with people being told ‘they cannot do something’ and then the training and confidence coaching it requires to undo those barriers.  My two visits to H.E.A.R.T. headquarters have been unbelievably inspiring and I’m exhilarated to support their mission throughout 2017.” Jane Cummins, Executive Director of the H.E.A.R.T. Program, shares Palmer’s excitement, “Everyone at The H.E.A.R.T. Program is thrilled to partner with John Ross Palmer through his Charity of the Year program and to join the impressive list of charities selected in the past.  We are very excited about his commitment to our work benefiting people with intellectual challenges in our community.  We are honored that he sees the beauty in us, and we thank John Ross Palmer from the bottom of our hearts.”

If you have any questions about John Ross Palmer, his naming of the H.E.A.R.T. Program as his 2017 Charity of the Year or his upcoming unveiling in support of H.E.A.R.T., please contact us at 713-392-6882 or [email protected].  Past Charity of the Year selections for John Palmer Art includes Outreach United (2011), Heifer International (2012), Writers in the Schools (2013), the League of Women Voters Education Fund (2014), the Lone Star Veterans Association (2015) and Houston Habitat (2016).

As John Palmer Art’s 2017 Charity of the Year, H.E.A.R.T. will be specifically honored at an art unveiling at Palmer’s Gallery with a dedicated percent of sales going to H.E.A.R.T. on Saturday, March 4^th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 1218 Heights Blvd. Houston, TX 77008.