President Barack Obama's Crafty Mom and Her Amazing Fabric Collection

We all know that President Barack Obama’s Mother, Ann Dunham, was a huge influence on the President, and that she exposed him to many cultures around the world. But did you know she was also an art collector? During the family’s time in Indonesia in the 1960’s, Ann Dunham collected amazing hand dyed batik textiles.



Batik is a traditional technique in which hot wax is used to create designs on fabric during the dye the process. Craftster has tons of examples and discussions of batik and other dyeing techniques. Even more information can be found on the Fiber Arts Boards.If you are lucky enough to be in Washington DC this weekend, you can see Obama’s Mother’s collection at the Textile Museum until Aug 23.

I wish I could go to DC ans see the exhibit at the Textile Museum. I LOVE fabric so I'm definitely going to go there one day. As a crafty person, I love the fact that President Obama's Mom had an appreciation for the arts. Yet another reason to love President Obama and his family.

♥ Efe ♥

Shepard Fairey to exhibit at Andy Warhol Museum

Shepard Fairey— Los Angeles graphic artist— is the creator of the iconic "HOPE" poster that became the unofficial emblem of President Obama's campaign has been exhibited at The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and, beginning Oct. 18, The Andy Warhol Museum. Here's a video of Fairey talking about his artwork:


I love that Shepard Fairey's work isn't just art but it makes you think. His work centers around "questioning authority, promoting peace and encouraging people to think about how images affect them in public space." Alot of his work has a political agenda which lets him express himself, his views and inspire thought and introspection among his audience.

I'm so excited that he's gonna exhibit at the Warhol in Pittsburgh. It's one of my favorite museums and I'll definitely be there on October 18— It's 3 days after my 19th birthday!

♥ Efe ♥

Student Reporter Damon Weaver Interviews President Barack Obama

I love the questions Damon is asking President Obama. He's right on the money and is a very good interviewer. President Obama is on the right track— America's future is dependent on lasting and effective education reform.


As a kid who went to a 'not-so-great' high school I know that we have a major problem. It's an inconvenient truth that there are great disparities between quality of education in America and that should not be so. We need to encourage charter schools so that ALL parents have a reasonable choice in their children's education. Parents need to take responsibility for their children's education— They can no longer sit back and assume that everything is taken care of. Too many children fall through the cracks. We need to fund our Gifted and Talented programs more while still paying attention to the special education programs. Preschool and kindergarten must be taken overhauled so that kids are prepared to read ad write when the grow older.We have enough money and resources to make lasting and effective education reform possible— the question is: "Will we?"

♥ Efe ♥