Carnival Costume Designer & Other Artsy Crafty Things!
SANDRA ARCHER MORRIS BELL is a third generation Carnival Costume Designer.
Her roots grew deep within a talented and artistic Morris family from
Belmont, Trinidad and Tobago. Sandra was trained by the late metal master,
costume designer and innovator Ken Morris who is considered one of
Trinidad's national treasures. Ms. Bell resides in Brooklyn, New York.
Ms. Bell is the CEO of Journeyagents, Inc., an artists booking and special
event production
company. Along with her business partner K. Mensah Wali, Journeyagents
Inc. represents
performing artists whose expressions and creativity are acclaimed throughout
the African Diaspora.
The list includes William Cepeda, Los Pleneros, Andy Palacio, and Aurelio
Martinez.
She an accomplished teaching artist and facilitator of integrated education
workshops for children and adults of all ages.
As a Special Events Producer, Productions Manager and Program Coordinator,
Ms. Bell has worked with the prestigious JVC Jazz Festival, the International African Arts Festival, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Harlem
Stage/The Gatehouse, Aaron Davis Hall, New Jersey Performing Arts Center,
the famous Apollo Theater and many other world class performers. She has
been on call for major
events such as the Grammys, The Emmys, the Essence Awards and the Source
Magazine Awards.
Sandra's visual work has been on exhibition in museums, galleries and
schools throughout New York City including Wave Hill, The Museum for African
Art, The Smithsonian Insititute, and the Columbia Museum of Art. She has
been awared grants from the New York State Council for the Arts, the Brooklyn Council of the Arts, the Bronx Council of the Arts and CHANGE, Inc.
and is a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow, among others.
"I will always remember the cock's crow in the cul-de-sac that is our
family home in Trinidad. It was the signal to start of many happy days.
That sound remains in my mind and heart and motivates
me to get going and use my creativity to make a difference in the lives of
others."
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PROGRAM SAMPLES
Arts and Education Hands On Instructional Workshops
Costume Design and Designing for Carnival Bands. Workshops frame the
history, folkways and significance of carnival customs and practices.
New Orleans Masquerade
The rich tradition of the jazzy second line marching
bands and gumbo are the reference points for artmaking that has evolved into
a time honored celebration.
Brazilian Masquerade
The world famous Samba capital inspires the crafts
that bring this
panorama of phenomenal cultural expression to life.
Puerto Rican Masquerade
The sounds of Salsa rhythms accompany the creativity
of bandera
making (flags) and other implements that wave to announce a proud culture
and experience.
The traditions of Bomba and Plena are incorporated through music and the
oral tradition securing
this vital aspect of legacy.
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CREATIVE CONCEPT
Murals, masks, individual and group costume design, group carnival band
activity, masquerade
accessories, banners, flags, amulets, miniature sculpture gardens, hand
puppets, large scale tribute art and spiritual designs.
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WORKSHOPS and RESIDENCIES
Residency programs run from four (4) to twenty (20) weeks can be arranged
for students in Elementary through High School. After school programs,
community centers, and other neighborhood facilities are also ideally
suitable for workshops. Individual workshops consist of 90 to 120 minutes.
Other arts forms such as theater, storytelling, dance and music are
incorporated into the programs. Staff Development and Teacher Training
workshops are also available.
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MATERIALS
Materials used include mixed media, found objects, fabric, paper mache,
natural fibres, re-cycled
goods as well as earth and eco-friendly items.
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PROGRAM COSTS
Programs are customized to meet specific client needs and requests. The
costs of workshops
are reflective of artists planning time, preparation, set-up, breakdown,
materials and transportation.
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TEACHING and WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE
Manhattan Schools District 5, Public Schools 129, 30, 31, 36, 200, 305,
189; Queens Public Schools 156Q, 132Q, District 23; Brooklyn Public
Schools 108, 316, 38, 297, 171, St. John's Recreation Center; Bronx
Public Schools CES 90, MS 145, and Westchester County School District.
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PERFORMANCE and ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
Yaffa Cultural Arts Inc.
The Children's Art Carnival
The Caribbean Cultural Center
Community Works
Riverbank State Park
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn
American Museum of Natural History
South Street Seaport
Museum for African Art
Pickney Productions
Aaron Davis Hall
Forces of Nature |
Stockholm Residence
Pathways for Youth
Bronx Community School
Apollo Theater Foundation
Brookyn Children's Museum
Brooklyn Museum
St. John's Recreation Center
New York City Parks Department
Queens Theater in the Park
Barnes and Noble Bookstores
Brooklyn and Queens Public Libraries
Central Park Conservancy Dana Discovery Center |
