Scout Tufankjian
Official photographer for Arts For EveryBody
Scout Tufankjian is an Armenian-American photographer based in New York City, best known for her work documenting both of Barack Obama's presidential campaigns - including her 2008 NYT and LA Times bestselling book Yes We Can: Barack Obama’s History-Making Presidential Campaign. Her second book, There is Only the Earth, was the culmination of six years documenting Armenian communities in over twenty different countries.
More recently, she has served as a temporary acting director of the Committee to Protect Journalists's Emergency Response Team and the Senior Afghanistan Consultant for Too Young to Wed.
More of her work can be seen at www.scouttufankjian.com.
Gainesville, FL
On July 27th, the City of Gainesville hosted an all-day, large-scale community event at Depot Park, one of the City of Gainesville’s premier parks. The event, “Summer You(th) Celebration,” was produced by artist and producer Marion J. Caffey and featured music, dance, and live theater performances throughout the day.
Washington, D.C.
On July 27th, DMV Made brought Washington, D.C., together to celebrate life and stage a communal response to social justice concerns such as health equity, economic disadvantage, and political division. The home of political power, national monuments, and also the home of Go-Go Music, poetry traditions, and performing arts theaters, D.C.’s DMV Made sought to manifest “There is no place like home” in our nation’s capital.
Edinburg, TX
On July 27th, the City of Edinburg presented the premiere of an original stage musical about Edinburg, highlighting its past, present, and future; large-scale public art commissions, arts and health booths, and panels -- all alongside the city's most popular festival, FridaFest, celebrating women empowerment and renowned artist, Frida Kahlo.
Hawai'i Island
On July 27th, Vibrant Hawai’i art fellows exhibited the culmination of their year-long work through showcases held across the entire island. This hyper-local, decentralized approach ensured inclusion and access and highlighted the artistry, relationships, and impact each fellow crafted within their own communities.
Honolulu, HI
On July 27th, Oʻahu welcomed all to join in a return to Thomas Square as part of a month-long celebration surrounding Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, or Sovereignty Restoration Day. Together, they celebrated community-created works while sharing a space of movement, art and moʻolelo (stories), highlighting materials and practices rooted in place.
Chicago, IL
On July 27th, the Chicago project, led by the Chicago Department of Arts, Culture, and Special Events (DCASE) and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), produced an arts symposium highlighting a paid job training program piloted by the cross-sector team. The day explored career pathways for artists centered in creative therapy and health advocacy, particularly uplifting one-year artist apprenticeships established at Chicago’s city-run mental health clinics.
Utica, MS
On July 27th, Homegrown Utica Fest brought together Utica and its neighbors to celebrate and showcase the continuing legacy of education, agriculture, and the arts in the rural self-determination of small-town Mississippi. Opportunities to engage local food culture, the arts, and practical health and wellness shaped this joyful, family-friendly day.
Tucson, AZ
On July 27th, a concert reading of Borderlands Theater's new musical in development, "Anita," was presented free of charge at the Berger Center for Performing Arts. The winners of a poster contest under the theme "Art is Vital" were announced at a post-play community celebration with live music.
Rhinelander, WI
On July 27th, ArtStart, the City of Rhinelander, local artists and youth skaters partnered to create “Push Against Loneliness,” a day celebrating community and belonging in Rhinelander. The event kicked off with a Skate Jam, followed by a “March Against Social Isolation” to the site of the new, interactive public sculpture, designed by artists Witt Siasoco and Norma Dycus Pennycuff. The day featured various art activities, a tree planting, and concluded with a community meal and entertainment by local performing artists.
Seattle, WA
On July 27th, the Seattle team led by the Wing Luke Museum presented JamFest, a free and all-ages event that highlighted Seattle’s Chinatown International District’s rich historic, cultural, and artistic vibrancy through music, dance, mixed media installations, murals, games, and more. The event proudly celebrated the community’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander migrant roots and culture.
Phillips County, AR
On July 27th, Phillips County artists and organizers brought the community together to celebrate home while amplifying the push by locals for clean water. During the day, residents visited Court Square Park for the “There’s No Place Like Home” Festival to celebrate the new community splash pad, enjoy local food, and live performances. In the evening, a live catfish fry and live gospel choir concert, Living Waters, were held across the levee at the Riverwalk at Helena River Park. Throughout the weekend, the artist collective Hollerin Space presented HOLD ON: Blue Hole Homecoming, leading a traveling, tailgating caravan along rivers and waterways of Phillips County.
Harlan County, KY
On July 27th, MAMAW Fest (Mountains of Appalachia Music Arts and Wellness Festival) took place all day on the streets of downtown Harlan, Kentucky. A celebration of community care, the day featured headlining duo, The Local Honeys, as well as local artists, vendors, musicians, and healthcare providers from around the county, culminating in an evening performance of Angels Unaware, the 10th theater production of arts collective Higher Ground– written, performed, and created by local community members.
Winston-Salem, NC
On July 27th, arts and health leaders in Winston-Salem, NC, presented “Creative Wellness Community Day,” an arts and health fair hosted by United Health Centers. The day opened with traditional West African dance and djembe drumming and featured interactive creative spaces for youth and families, an ice cream truck, and live performances highlighting local artists in disciplines such as spoken word, singing, storytelling and more. Free health screenings were provided in addition to various health resource vendors, all in celebration of Winston-Salem's commitment to healing through the arts.
Providence, RI
On July 27th, local artists-in-residence and community members of two Providence Housing Authority sites showcased their artistic work created over the course of an 18-month artist residency. Led by artist Carolina Briones at Carroll Towers, residents unveiled a community mural installed in the building’s community center, alongside a domino competition, live music and a gallery exhibit of community members’ work. In the evening, led by artist Vatic Kuumba at Chad Brown, residents premiered “Casa Futura,” a short stop-motion film with multimedia performances created with residents commemorating their past, present, and future journeys. The evening was kicked off by community-led processions and also included resident performances, gallery showings and a community dinner.
Kansas City, MO
On July 27th, Art as Mentorship, founded by the band Making Movies, hosted Celebrate AMERI’KANA, a music and arts festival that brought together national, local, and youth performers in a celebration of the diverse origins and colors of American music and the historic Northeast district of Kansas City. The festival featured Rubén Albarrán of the Mexican rock band Café Tacvba, Justus West, youth performers from Art as Mentorship’s Rebel Song Academy, and an international open-air market showcasing local artists, creators, growers, small businesses, and local food trucks.
The Bronx, NY
On July 27th, Urban Health Plan (UHP) brought back “Fiesta San Juan,” a time-honored, daylong community celebration to highlight the deep connection between the arts and health in the Bronx borough of New York City. “Fiesta San Juan Presents Arts for EveryBody” kicked off with a parade, led by a local marching band, delighting community members and inviting them to join the fun. Event goers spent the day at UHP’s main site, El Nuevo San Juan Health Center, where music and dance performances by hip hop and rap artists as well as merengue, salsa, swing and Bengali dancers entertained all day long.
