THE FODICE FOUNDATION

THE FODICE FOUNDATION

NEWSOUR MISSIONDONATEHISTORYFODICE FAMILIESSUPPORTERSEVENTSPHOTOSCONTACT USVOLUNTEERNEWS

" PROTECTING THE FODICE SCHOOL...that is the most important thing at this moment. The building has suffered many losses over the years, the lockers were taken many years ago, the gym floor was extracted for use in another school and slowly the building has been stripped of just about everything, including it's doors. Putting up a fence and clearing the property is the first step in bringing it back to life. "

OUR MISSIONThe Fodice Foundation was established in 2008 by Houston based artists Patrick Medrano and Katy Anderson to foster artistic development and support arts education and advancement in the state of Texas. Focus areas will include:•The protection and preservation of an important piece of African-American and Texas educational history through the restoration of The Fodice School and development of new insights and understandings of the African-American experience in the early 1900s.•The creation of a new artistic community that fosters individual artist development through an exclusive residency program which provides a sanctuary-type experience where artists may create new works and enhance their skills.•The promotion of the arts in the local community through the hands-on educational outreach of artists in collaboration with regional schools and local education programs that encourage children to participate in and experience the arts.•The economic development of the local community, through the partnerships with arts agencies, individual artists, art patrons, and community organizations that will provide contemporary art experiences for residents and visitors to the area alike, drawing regional acclaim and prestige to the area.•The development of internal and public discourse through partnerships with community agencies, schoolchildren, arts patrons and professional artists that focus on the relationship between the arts, science, culture, and topics related to multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural activities. A FUTURE FOR FODICE

The Fodice Foundation's plan is to launch the Art Farm Residency Program once the restoration of The Fodice School is complete. Each year, we will offer four artists concurrent residencies for up to two months, for an estimated total of 16 artists per year. These visiting artists will have private living and working space and will be provided the opportunity to focus on creating new work. In addition to the four artist studios/living spaces, the school will include a fully equipped workshop, kitchen facilities, offices, a gallery space and performance space, as well as permanent installations. Artist will engage the community by way of lectures, public exhibitions, and artist talks and will be required to visit two local schools where they will present their work and speak about the important role that artist can play in modern society. The Art Farm Residency Program will propmote the arts in the local community through the hands-on educational outreach of artists in collaboration with regional schools and local education programs that encourage children to participate in and experience the arts. The school will also serve as a community museum and will host annual events and homecomings.DONATE

FODICE MEMBERS

Get discounted tickets to events.

MEMBERS ONLY TOURS TO FODICE.

$35

GIVE $1 Dollarmake a diffrence. PROTECT THE HISTORY. SUPPORT THE ARTS.

We are a a small arts organization set out to accomplish huge things and every dollar makes a difference.

Please show us your support.

We are asking you to make a contribution of at least ONE DOLLAR, your support will make a immediate difference in our efforts to protect this beautiful and very important piece of history. Please give today! PROTECT THE HISTORY, PROMOTE THE ARTS.... ONE DOLLAR at a time!

Join now.

FOUNDING CIRCLE MEMBER[$2500+]• Invitations to private dinners and receptions.• Recognition on bronze Donor Plaques.• Recognition on the foundation's website.• Weekend trip to see Fodice with the founders.• A DVD copy of the our short 15min. documentary, NO PAVED ROADS FODICE GUARDIAN[$500 - $2500]• Invitations to private dinners and receptions with artists, curators and collectors.• Recognition in printed materials. • Recognition on the foundation's website.• Private weekend tours to Fodice.• A DVD copy of the our short 15min. documentary, NO PAVED ROADS

FODICE FRIEND[$100 - $499] • Invitations to Private shows and preview events. • Recognition on the foundation's website. • A DVD copy of the our short 15min. documentary, NO PAVED ROADS.

Donate now.

HISTORYHISTORY OF FODICE, TEXAS1859 - 1960'sThe community of Fodice { pronounced Fo - Dice} was a freedmen’s town that developed in rural East Texas following the Civil War. Some sources maintain that the town's name came from "four dice," a favorite game of the early inhabitants. Other sources suggest that the first settlers came from the Arkansas community of Fordyce, from which "Fodice" was derived. In 1875 a Methodist church was founded there, and around 1886 a public school began operating. The community got a post office in 1902 and by 1914, Fodice had two general stores, a cotton gin, a gristmill, and a Masonic hall. They were blessed with the addition of a new much larger school in 1938, thanks to the hard work of local families and the financial backing of the WPA ( Works Projects Administration ).The stone stucture included an auditorium, a stage, and 12 huge classrooms.Never incorporated or platted, and still located along and unimproved dirt road, the magnificent Fodice School, the Fodice Cemetary and a few scattered homes is just about all that remains of this once thriving community. THE GREAT DECLINE1960-2007 When desegregation forced its students to consolidate into other area schools, the Fodice communities’ population dwindled. With its residents slowly migrating to other towns for work and school, there were few left to take care of the oversized school. The post office was closed in 1966 and the Fodice School became a Community Center. The Fodice Alumni Association was organized and annual homecomings were held at the one time school. Through their meetings residents were encouraged to seek a historical marker for their community. Sabra Berry, Alzena Berry and Pauline Davis, all long-time educators in Fodice are responsible for making that happen in 1980. This dedicated trio of Fodice teachers all passed before 1990 and did not get to see the historical marker placed at their beloved school. The Fodice School has remained unused and un-maintained since their passing. The Fodice Foundation was created to protect the Fodice School our goal is to draw some much deserved attention the history of the Fodice community, allow the Fodice School to once again serve those who love it and to continue its legacy of education in the most inspiring way possible..thru ART.FODICE FAMILIES

MESSAGES FROM THE COMMUNITY

I am a descendant of the Berry family that were prominent settlers of the Fodice community. My ancestors migrated from Arkansas and were instrumental in the settlement and development of the community. I have visited the school several times and it has always given me a sense of pride and appreciation for the history that lies within. My father and his siblings attended the school and I have often heard him tell stories of his classmates, teachers and the Fodice community. I hope the school will be preserved as it is such an integral part of this wonderful community. - Brenda Kaye Berry LambThe Fodice Foundtion want to hear from you! Please take a moment to send us a message, share your thoughts and memories of the school, ask us questions or just simply give us your email so we can send you updates on our progress.I am the great-great-granddaughter of Rhoda Berry who migrated from Fodyce Arkansas. My father attended the Fodice School.Interested in sharing the progress of the Fodice Foundation at the Berry Family reunion in 2010. - Yvonne Herbert I grew up next the old school. My mother and aunt attend the school when they were growing up. My grandfather C D Jolly and grandmother Creola Jolly lived in the house just up the road. I have spend many hours playing in the old school. I remember when they taught some adults education classes in the school. They taught reading, writing, math and some arts. I also recalled that on Sundays I had a cousin that held church in the school also. I am glad that it is being reborn. It is a great place. - Linda Jolly-EvansI grew up there in Fodice and attended school there.I remember so many good times growing up in that community. - Barbara williams I found your website on google by searching Fodice, Texas and stumbled your pictures of Fodice School. I am a decendent of the Berry Family and have many memories of playing in the school when I was a child, 20 years ago. I look forward to revisting your website for updates. - Tiffany Whitaker Since my grand parents and my mother were all born in Fodice my brothers, sister and I are very concerned about helping the Fodice cause in the redevelopment project. We are all decendants of the Wiley Family. Although we reside in Seattle Washington we are still looking forward to helping and assisting in anyway to help the Fodice Foundation. We are availiable for support. - Ted Howard-WileySUPPORTERS

FOUNDING CIRCLE

members

$2500 +

Anonymous

Buddy Steves + Rowena Young

David + Dena Linda

Joyce Harlow

Kimberly + Frank DeLape

Tom + Mary Rollins

Christian + Marie Bruns

Momentum Audi

Spaceman Home + Office

The Fodice Foundation wishes to acknowledge and give thanks to the following individuals. Without your support, goals cannot be met nor can this dream become reality. Thank you all so much for believing in art, the future and history. Thank you so much for your support.FODICE FOUNDATION MEMBERSMarie WeichmanPatrick TerryAnthony ChatmanUrban ArtistsBuzz BellmontJack HeimKaren HeimMichael PearsonRobert MarkoffShawna MarkoffPaul WhiteJessica WhiteMarc DavenportBrittany O'BannonKatie ColeLauren Lovell1Kate LumleyDavid RougerieJustin ShillingsCyndi ShillingsGlen FillmoreLaurin LindseyKarine Parker-Lemoyne Richard OrtonNorma ComstiveMelody PatelisLacey CrawfordBeatrice JohnsonF.E. AbernethyPiero Fenci Rufus LovettJim Prell

FODICE GUARDIANS

$500 - $2000

Dr. Carolyn Farb

Dan Medrano

Gallery M2

Hunter + Janice Splawn

Houston Press

Lana Anderson

Richard Orton

Jim Prell

FODICE FRIENDS

$100 - $499

Ted Wiley Howard Family

Bryan Frazier

Gus Kopriva

Kevin Davis

Joann Crassas

Lina Corinth

Rufus Lovett

F.E. Abernethy

Beatrice Johnson

EVENTS

upcoming events

CULTURED COCKTAILS Thursday FEBRUARY 4, 2010Celebrate Houston's local art scene with Spacetaker and Boheme ! Join us at Boheme from 5-10PM, when a portion of the proceeds benefits THE FODICE FOUNDATION. 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm where : Boheme Cafe & Wine Bar 307 Fairview _ Taft (map)Houston, TX 77006 www.barboeheme.com www.spacetaker.orgwww.fodicefoundation.orgPresented by Spacetaker ARSDFPHOTOSFOUNDING BOARD MEMBERSPatrick MedranoCo-founder Artistic Director Katy AndersonCo-founder Executive DirectorJoyce HarlowJanice Adamson-SplawnMax Boyd HarrisonMargaret O'DonnellMelody PatelisRoger RippyTroy Schulze

THE FODICE FOUNDATION

is a non-profit 501(c)(3)

organization.

ADVISORY BOARDMEMBERSDr. Carolyn FarbBarbara WootenNicola ParenteSharon JohnsonBob + Judy PringleMike BellLina CorinthCONTACT USContact Us Patrick MedranoCo-founderpatrick_fodicefoundation.org Katy AndersonCo-founder katy_fodicefoundation.org1623 BLOUNTHouston, Texas7 7 0 0 8phone : 281-787-3031Follow us :

VOLUNTEERVolunteer and get involved.Please fill out the form below and get on the list to help out the next time we need volunteers. ©CompanyName 2008-2009 All human and animal rights carefully reserved and preserved.