Gamma Xi Phi

Tag: Young Artisans Awards

  • Gamma Chapter Honors Young Artisan

    Gamma Chapter Honors Young Artisan

    Newark, NJ, May 31st, 2024— The Young Artisans Award has been an exciting initiative in the fraternity since 2015. With the purpose of honoring emerging artists living within the service areas of a chapter. The selected artists must display artistic accomplishment and a willingness to learn, grow, serve, and be mentored.  The Gamma Chapter, serving the city of Newark, selected 1 student after reviewing numerous highly accomplished applicants. 

    Onnieya Martin is a 12th-grade student attending Arts High School, where she is a vocal major. .  Her artistic interest is in singing. Not to mention playing sports( basketball, volleyball, track & field).  Ms. Martin will attend Georgian Court University majoring in Political Science with a minor in Music on a Basketball Ball Scholarship. 

    Mrs. Devonne DeNose, Arts High School principal expressed “It was an honor and a privilege to witness such a beautiful event recognizing and honoring Arts High School’s artist-scholar, Onnieya Martin. I want to thank the members of the Gamma chapter of Gamma Xi Phi, Fraternity for Artists for their work and dedication to inspiring young artists and supporting the arts.”

    Bro. Keivon Hemmings, an Arts High School alum, class of 2014 had this to say: “It’s been a pleasure to be a part of giving this deserving scholarship to an even more deserving student! Onnieya and students like her are the reason why we give this award. We wish her luck on entering college and we are eager to be there as a support system. Arts High strong!” Ms. Martin will receive access to the knowledge and expertise of the chapter members. A bag of gifts compiled by the chapter and a $250 scholarship. This was the first time the Gamma Chapter has given out the award and can’t wait to continue for years to come. 

    Gamma Xi Phi is a predominantly African American organization of men and women in the arts, including literature, visual art, music, theater, and dance. GXP was established at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey, on October 7, 2010, on the principles of Philanthropy, Sodality, and Elevation.

    Gamma Xi Phi honors artists’ achievements through fellowship, philanthropy, social justice, and service.

  • “I Have Help From a Village” – Beta Chapter Selects 2016 Young Artisans

    “I Have Help From a Village” – Beta Chapter Selects 2016 Young Artisans

    program logo - young artisans awards

    District of Columbia artists Sean Defreitas and Jeneesah Tate (also known as Ja’ness) have been selected as the 2016 Young Artisans for Gamma Xi Phi’s Beta Chapter in Washington, DC. The award is the highest honor that the fraternity bestows upon youth.

    “We are so happy and so proud to support these students, who represent the best of Washington’s emerging talent,” said Beta Chapter Program Director Shawn Spencer.

    The Young Artisans Awards initiative was created by Gamma Xi Phi in 2015 to honor emerging artists living within the service areas of the chapters. The selected artists must display both artistic merit and artistic citizenship, including a willingness to learn, grow, serve, and be mentored.  The Beta Chapter, serving the District of Columbia, selected two students after months of research and observation of young artists living within the chapter’s domain.

    Sean Defreitas is a student attending the Latin American Youth Center Career Academy, located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC.  His artistic interests are varied and include graphic design, photography, music, and fashion.  His mother and other family members are also engaged in the arts, namely music, visual art, and crafts.  Mr. Defreitas came highly recommended by the faculty and staff of LAYC Career Academy.

    Ja’ness (Jeneesah Tate) is a Junior attending the historic Duke Ellington School of the Arts.  She is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter who has already created a name for herself in the Washington area and beyond through many public performances at festivals and music venues.  Coming from a long line of artists, Ja’ness strives to create a career that complements, but is independent from, her already successful family members.

    Over the next few months, the awardees will benefit from the full support of Brothers and Sisters of Beta Chapter and beyond.  Members will provide the students with support and connections to working artists.  In March 2016, the awardees will participate in the Young Artisans Combine, a private day of training, coaching, and mentoring with some of the Washington area’s most notable artists and professionals. In May 2016, the awardees will officially be presented to the community in a ceremony at Beta Chapter’s Odeon, a community talent show.

    (L-R) Mr. Atif Tate, Beta Chapter Young Artisan 2016 Ja’ness, Chapter Program Director Shawn Spencer

    (L-R) Ms. Crystal Defreitas, Beta Chapter Young Artisan 2016 Sean Defreitas, National President Rashid Darden

    National President Rashid Darden, who is a Washington-based novelist and member of Beta Chapter, expressed his pride at the selection of Ja’ness and Sean, saying “We needed humble students who would be their authentic, artistic selves when they didn’t expect that anyone was evaluating them.  That’s the beauty of the first year of this initiative–without the fanfare of previous years, we were able to find the most deserving students who weren’t just seeking accolades for their resumes.”

    Mr. Atif Tate, father of Ja’ness, said that due to this honor, his daughter’s “…positive actions towards her dreams are being noticed by others outside her family–which gives her more confidence to keep pushing through.” He added “I have help from a village. My advice to other parents is to invest your time and energy into their dreams now and help them develop so this experience will help them grow into something great.”

    Gamma Xi Phi was founded on October 7, 2010, by Ramapo College men and women who were interested in creating strong bonds between students pursuing artistic careers. The purpose of the fraternity is to unite collegiate and professional artists in the spirit of fellowship and perpetual artistic growth. Gamma Xi Phi promotes philanthropy and service to the arts, brotherhood among all artists, and leadership development in artistic professions through collegiate and community outreach to people of color across the world.

  • District of Columbia Chapter Hosts Creative Conversation

    District of Columbia Chapter Hosts Creative Conversation

    The Washington, DC chapter of Gamma Xi Phi Professional Arts Fraternity hosted a Creative Conversation as part of the organization’s National Arts and Humanities Month observances.  The theme of the discussion was “Linking Young Artists to Opportunities.”

    Held at the Greater Tried Stone Baptist Church, a favorite venue of the Beta Chapter, members of the community were invited to share their ideas for how the fraternity may best serve young artists in the Washington area.  Invited guests included working artists, leaders of arts nonprofit organizations, and other members of organizations with arts components.  The chapter provided a light lunch and lively discussion ensued.

    Action items that the group provided to the fraternity will help develop the local implementation of the fraternity’s Young Artisans Awards program.