Featured Cover Art and Article for Coffee Talk Magazine - July 2013

I am thrilled to have the featured cover art for the July 2013 issue of Coffee Talk Magazine, in addition to an accompanying article about my coffee cards!

Coffee Cards by Casey Blanchard

Photo by Julia Luckett

Fareed Zakaria said, in order to understand the world, you have to travel and see the world, with your eyes and mind wide open. Experiencing the world of coffee has done just that by introducing me to one of the most humanly engaged, diverse, and vibrant businesses on the planet. Visiting coffee farms and meeting the workers, managers, and owners in dozens of countries, attending SCAA, NCA, CQI conventions and board meetings, and volunteering for Grounds For Health in the remote regions of Mexico has been transformative. The perspective I have gained from my husband, Dan Cox of Coffee Enterprises, has been invaluable. I have been inspired by the commitment of so many to survive and thrive.

While so many in the coffee industry experience challenges, they also have the determination to solve their problems and ultimately put coffee in the cups of consumers. However, there is a part of this industry, possibly the most important, that has the fewest resources to ensure their survival: the very families we count on to grow the coffee. Within those families are women, the very backbone in their communities, who are desperate for opportunities to ensure their basic needs are met. They are the same women that are last on everyone’s lists. I have seen women receiving precious drops of helpful investments and turn it into buckets of thirst quenching solutions. It is powerful and inspiring!

The coffee world has supported my family and friends in so many ways, now I want to give back at the source, to the women and families that bring us coffee. How does this artist give back? I have created coffee note cards for coffee companies to use for retail or as Thank Yous for their clients. The idea is to sell the cards, donate a portion of the sales and help ensure the continuation of valuable programs: Grounds for Health, Food 4 Farmers, and The International Women’s Coffee Alliance.

Please go to my website to learn more about these important nonprofits and to purchase the note cards: http://caseyblanchard.com/giving_gallery.html

Sincerely,

Casey Blanchard

casey@caseyblanchard.com

www.CaseyBlanchard.com

PO Box 777

Shelburne, VT  05445

(802) 985-3037

Coffee Art & Cards, a Gift that Keeps on Giving!

To purchase coffee art and cards click Here

 

My coffee art was inspired by a desire to give back to the coffee community, especially the families at the origin countries that are growing the coffee. After traveling to dozens of countries that produce the coffee beans and volunteering for Grounds for Health, my world view of agriculture and its social and economic community has been drastically altered. My husband, Dan Cox, his company, Coffee Enterprises and our many coffee friends, all along the coffee chain have been catalysts for positive change. Under every sip of coffee are important human stories.

Any sale of coffee art or cards will generate a donation to Grounds for Health, Food4Farmers and International Women's Coffee Alliance to help fund their valuable programs. Make life better for coffee families and feel good about drinking that wonderful cup of Coffee!

To learn about these not for profit organizations please go to their websites below:

Grounds For Health
International Women's Coffee Alliance
Food 4 Farmers

To purchase coffee art please go to:

Casey Blanchard Coffee Art Link

National Coffee Association, 102nd Conference held in San Francisco, California

                                                             National Coffee Association

       

So many wonderful memories, walking in the glorious Redwoods in the Mill Valley and visiting our friends, the Baldwin’s in Glen Ellen wine country (founder of Starbucks).  Yet, the highlight of the NCA convention for me was the International Women’s Coffee Alliance and guest speaker, Grace Hightower De Niro, ( yes, the wife of  Robert De Niro).

Grace told her compelling story about growing up on a farm in Missouri in the 50’s and 60’s and years later being in NYC at a fundraiser that lead her to the coffee lands of Rwanda. The connection and Grace’s desire to improve the quality of their lives, was powerful enough to evolve into her own brand of fair trade coffee that is currently sold at Whole Foods supermarkets. From actress, singer and Mother, to a successful coffee philanthropist!  Grace’s love and dedication to empowering women worldwide led her to launch Grace Hightower & Coffees of Rwanda, with the mission of enhancing the lives of the Rwanda people by providing opportunities to market their unique products to the world.

Art & Healing go hand in hand!

              Gifts of Art

The University of Michigan Health Systems really walks the talk when it comes to the power of art to enlighten the healing process. I am pleased to be a part of the “Gifts of Art” exhibit being held now until June 10^th, at The University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Gifts of Art brings the world of art and music to patients, visitors and staff at the University of Michigan Health System. One of the first of its kind nationwide, this comprehensive program has been developed to enhance the Health System’s commitment to providing an enriching and comforting environment to assist the healing process. If you happen to be in Ann Harbor, Michigan please take a moment to view my artwork, “Behind the Veil”, UH main corridor Floor 2. 

BEHIND THE VEIL: MONOPRINT & MIXED MEDIA

 Casey Blanchard is a monoprint and mixed media artist living in Vermont. During her travels, Blanchard considers no found object too grand or insignificant for expression in the printing medium. She finds the process of monoprinting to be engaging, fluid, unpredictable and fun. It is the mysteries behind the frayed veil, the torn edge and the unspoken word that intrigue her. Blanchard hopes to wake up the viewer’s perception, encouraging in them reflection, exploration and a connection to meaning. She uses organic materials in her artwork to help draw people to their natural, healthy and whole state. Blanchard has been involved in arts in healthcare both nationally and internationally. Online gallery here.

Gifts of Art Gallery – University Hospital Main Corridor, Floor 2

1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

On display April 15-June 10, 2013

Open Daily 8am-8pm

                                                  

 

Healing Communities Through Art!

      The 24th Annual International Conference for The Global Alliance for Arts & Health was held on April 11 and 12th at Washington D.C. in the National Museum of The American Indian. This was my first conference with this organization and it was filled with fascinating presenters from around the planet, as well as inspiring stories about art and healing.

Donna Glassford, Interim Director with Casey

Robert Gupta performs at the Founder Street Symphony!

         








The Conference provides a forum for hundreds of leaders in arts & health, including artist, creative art therapist, art directors, healthcare providers, architects, designers, educators and researchers, to present and discuss innovative developments in the use of arts and health to heal communities.

And who could resist the full bloom cherry blossoms
and the 92 degree weather!

One of our great hero's, Martin Luther King