After Supper Visions
ASV is pleased to be featured on the website of the Social Enterprise Alliance (SEA), a rapidly growing organization whose mission is to be the “champion for social enterprise in the United States.”
The SEA strives to provide social enterprise agencies with the tools and resources needed to help them maximize their effectiveness and be, as the SEA website states, “a force for positive social change, in service to the common good.” Since its inception in 1997, the SEA has been widely respected for its efforts to unite social enterprise organizations across the country, publicizing their efforts and helping them network, learn from and support one another. The SEA’s signature event had been the Social Enterprise Summit, a three-day national event that had a typical attendance of 500-700 participants, and featured respected speakers with a wide range of social enterprise experience. In 2012, the SEA has expanded to three regional summits, in response to its growing membership.
The SEA now has a national network of over 900 members, organized in thirteen chapters across eleven states. Its members include leading authorities on social enterprise, including business strategists, investors and public policy leaders. Catholic Charities is proud to be a member of the SEA since 2009.
Click here to read the SEA article on ASV: https://www.se-alliance.org/member-news. This article also will appear in the SEA November, 2012 Newsletter.
Artist Statements
Photography is an art and I pray that my pictures are a good example of my talent as an artist.
Gerald G.I have had done the photo project before and I have had fun doing it. My pictures tell you what I love and what I am. I love nature and art and animals, wildlife as well.
Aisa O.The photo project has improved my creative and artistic expressions. My images are an expression of my creative side. Thanks to Catholic Charities for giving me a chance to become an artist.
Chester P.Art is my happy place especially photography. This is my escape; I can be whoever I want to be. My husband and I are named as the “Art Couple Who’s Still Standing.
Sarah E.It is amazing to join the 2017 photo show. Welcome to Chicago. A) L Train going south on Orleans St. B) A local “lodge” bar on Division and State. C) Eye catching of trees with different direction. D) Here we Chicagoans still have rules.
Sandra J.The photo class program gives you a chance to use your imagination to create an artistic way to express your feelings about photography. The reflections of my images, I tried to bring out the beauty of the world.
William R.This year’s photo show has helped me gain more insight to my own life persona in the eyes of this young artistic dragon-sized spirit of mine and I am forever grateful.
Shaolin M.I like taking pictures around the holidays because everything is so decorative. I like taking pictures of the Bulls, the Sox, the Blackhawks and the Cubs, all in Chicago because they are all winners.
Ronald G.I am so glad that there is that thing called After Supper Visions. I look forward to the show each year. It give me another reason to be a happy person. To see things and record them is magic. I am grateful that we can share this wonderful moment.
Denis D.I like to take pictures of the places I used to stay at when I was homeless. These photos remind me of my past, and the After Supper Visions Program is helping me move forward to a better place.
James L.I was so vain at one time until I finally opened my eyes in this photo and seen the world as a whole, our people and places and art come together in our religion as one.
Andrea C.It is very hard for me to get out. Taking the pictures I found relaxing and enjoyed doing more than I thought. I hope you find a picture you enjoy as much.
Daniel D.The view from the river walk to the lake emphasizes the beauty of our city.
Valerie B.I like the photography because it makes me feel like I’ve done something important.
Love S.Photography is like still poetry, looking through the lens of a camera, I try to find something that speaks directly to me. I love to escape. Photography is a perfect way to escape. When I am taking pictures, I go to a faraway place where I can become one with the camera, and nothing else matters. I love my photography class. I have learned how to hold a camera correctly, at the same time choose a view that speaks directly to me.
Eva M.Thank you! I took the stain glass picture at Holy Name Cathedral. I took the Chicago underground train station picture at the Harrison stop on the red line. This one is looking out the window of the Harold Washington Library.
John B.I took photography in high school. I have been involved with Catholic Charities for three years. This is my first time doing the Visions’ class. I have also sold artwork with the Chicago Association of Retarded Citizens. What inspired me to take the picture of the moon was the way it was, kind of play hide and seek with clouds on a cold winter’s night; a clock is a work beauty, and river on a cold winter day with the city what a sight to look at.
Tracy B.Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities I have even seen in the world. At night it is magnificent and serene and it is always the talk of the town. My building photos make me think of clear blue skies. Buildings have been here for many years and they are as beautiful as they are landmarks. As I keep photographing I keep finding new and beautiful places the city has to offer.
Valerie B.ONLY IN MY MIND’S EYE Do I enjoy my perfect photographs. perfect subject, perfect lighting, perfect composition. I then raise my camera, release the shutter, and that original moment in time is gone forever, never to be repeated again. That short delay of the shutter, and dust on the lens, the printer’s inks, and even the texture of the photo paper, all conspire to distort my “perfect image”. It is with this in mind, that I sincerely hope that I can transport the v… Read more
Ray B.I am so proud and humbled to be in this show. I have for so long been called a loser, good for nothing, never amount to anything person. Today I know I am none of those negative things. Having been clean and sober for seven years I can truly say I feel a part of something good. I see myself as being a photographer and an artist. I’m grateful for this social opportunity. I thank God for everyone involved in making this event successful.
Andy A.I love this project because it makes me feel proud taking pictures of doors, windows, plants, animals, and buildings. I do enjoy taking pictures; it makes me feel good about animals, plants, building, food, and myself.
Sandra W.A Weekend in the Swamp I’m Happy to be back in the show. It is a wonderful place to show my work and see the other artists’ work. I was lucky enough to go to Georgia with a friend to the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge. I would like to share some photos of the prehistoric place.
Mike B.What I like about the project is that it was fun doing it and I hope some sell. I like water and the river because they are peaceful and quiet. I wanted to capture the moment.
Aaron C.Stormy morning – waiting for the sun to rise. Geese and ducklings swimming and dipping in the water. Getting lost between sunrise and sunset. The beautiful colors, the dark blue water and skylights. Bird watching early morning – what did I miss? Beautiful colors of water and sky.
Ruby T.Be free to express yourself through the love of art of the art you love.
Jerrell C.Always needing to express my feelings toward the world of inventiveness, a perception of my imagination, to be an expression of freedom.
William R.A picture is worth a thousand words but I had nothing to do. Taking photos is a good hobby and I hope someone will like my talent.
James S.Back to the show again. I love coming here. The pictures let me be creative. I like talking to the people that come to the show and I like to see the pictures of the other artists in the show. I take the camera with me everywhere I go. I always have my eyes open for different pictures that might jump out at me…This year I was at one of the races in Chicago and lucky enough that the city closed off the streets. I was able to take some pictures of the streets of Chicago without any traffic.… Read more
Mike B.The photography class was great. It gave me a chance to be creative and to see the beauty of God.
Tracey M.I like taking pictures hoping that someone will be inspired by what Chicago looks like through my vision of what I see.
Bobby L.Like the quote by Tess Flanders “A picture is worth a thousand words”.
Neal H.I love this After Supper Visions event. It is very sobering experience for me. I get a chance to be productive while expressing my artistic ability. After being clean and sober for eight years, I am excited to be an active participant in something positive and creative. Thank you all for coming out and supporting and encouraging us in recreating our lives.
Andy A.The reason why I am writing this note is because I love to take nice pictures of buildings, cars, windows, animals and others too. Now, the reason why I take pictures is because it makes me feel good about myself. I need something positive to do. Photography is a nice thing to do, indoors and outdoors. Just holding a camera makes me feel special.
Sandra W.I love photography. It is great fun. I really enjoyed the classes and learning how to take pictures. Everybody at Catholic Charities has been so nice, and I am very grateful to them.
Daniel G.I wanted to take pictures of the Cubs celebration because this is the first time they won since 1908. Who knows when they will do it again. Hopefully the Cubs will win in 200, too!
Ronald G.Um.. Hello, this is America. You can salute the Flags. You can pray like Mary. You can roar like a lion. You can soar and fly like an eagle. Your call.
Kenny S.The day is to be a man’s job. I like to walk and see the Chicago waters.
John L.Pictures of any kind are the procreating and production of two God-given eyes correlating and collaborating. If only the world can see straight, eye-to-eye, that would make one perfect picture of a perfect family.
Cheryl H.I started photography as a hobby and it turned into a passion. I find it fascinating to shoot a sunrise and a sunset. Noticing how the colors change as the sun rises in the early morning is like God creating his art. Nothing to me can replace photographing God at this best artwork.
Tommy L.Pictures give me a pleasure of good time. I like taking pictures in the mid-day hours because it makes my day go smoother and faster. Catholic Charities inspires me because of their hospitality every day in serving the homeless. I have been a part of Catholic Charities for 17 years – a very good organization.
Sammie B.