WACO CULTURAL ARTS FEST

Waco City Council dedicated a 2-acre site in Bledsoe-Miller Park for a public art piece honoring WWII hero Doris Miller. A jury selected the design from 27 entries, creating a local and national memorial for this African American serviceman, commemorating his bravery during Pearl Harbor and ultimate sacrifice at sea.
The project began in 2009 and dedicated in 2018. The Memorial was designed by Stan Carroll, Oklahoma City, and features a 145ft contemporary steel sculpture that represents "Many Sailors Make a Ship" and a reflection pool in remembrance of the loss of lives at sea. The Memorial includes a nine foot bronze statue of Doris Miller, and three bronze reliefs depicting the his young life, Eddie Dixon, Sculptor. The fundraising and project management was lead by Waco Cultural Arts Fest dba Cultural Arts of Waco and supported with individual donations from all over the USA, local Foundations and Businesses. $2.7 million was raised to construct the Memorial in East Waco.

Art at The Arc 
Art at the Arc is a summer camp tailored for neuro-diverse students K-12, and it plays a crucial role in the educational outreach programs offered by Waco Cultural Arts Fest, dba Cultural Arts of Waco. Each year, we are delighted to welcome back returning campers. Witnessing their continued participation allows us to observe their growth as individuals and assess how well they retain the knowledge of the art process from one year to the next.
Our approach involves providing personalized attention to campers, working with them in small groups during sessions that last from 15 to 45 minutes. The focus of these lessons is on encouraging personal exploration and experimentation with various art materials. We guide young adults and children in understanding the use of color, shape, line, pattern, and texture while engaging in artistic activities involving paint, clay, collage, and construction projects. Zen gallery showcase https://culturalartswaco.org/zen-gallery/

The Yellow Cottage Kitchen evolved from our work in collaboration with the Arc of McLennan County with young adults on the autism spectrum at the Opportunity Center and their need to be valued assets within our community of Waco, TX. Pioneering the Future of Inclusive Employment and Empathy for Neuro-Diverse Individuals we are is taking on the challenge of transforming employment opportunities for individuals with neuro-disabilities. Our journey began with a pilot program involving 20 young adults on the spectrum from 2017 to 2019, collaborating with the Opportunity Center at the Arc of McLennan County. Funding is needed to transform a cottage in East Waco into a culinary arts baking center that includes a gluten free products kitchen , a main kitchen, classroom/community space with an attached culinary garden.
As a component of the ArtPlace Campus the Yellow Cottage Kitchen will anchor our future programs for our neuro-diverse community.

ArtPlace
-Transforming a derelict but historically significant building (built-in 1941), and eight empty lots into ArtPlace as a multicultural community arts hub focusing on youth arts education, community arts, and music and film workshops linked to public art space. From the ArtPlace Campus, radiates the hope for tomorrow. East Waco becomes a community where everyone can realize their artistic potential. A community that celebrates one another's artistic work. A community striving to tell its story.
A campus, tailored to fill a vacancy in supporting community needs. ArtPlace building will house visual and multimedia arts, the Yellow Cottage Kitchen will develop an untapped, marginalized, disabled community into productive employees utilizing joint efforts between our community and employers through the culinary/garden arts. These joint ventures between our staff and employers will provide real-world training that our community can take with them into the workforce.