Commonwealth Times

Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: Spectrum

Media Credit: Stephanie Power Kenny Yates and Bizhan Khodabandeh enjoy some literature at Gallery5's library, Lucent Phoenix.

Two local artists are striving to inspire and motivate others by providing tools for social change in the Richmond area.

Bizhan Khodabandeh and Kenny Yates are the creative minds behind the social movements, "There Once Was a Rebellion" and "I Dream of a Richmond …"

Through T.O.W.A.R., a movement encouraging social activism, Khodabandeh and Yates seek to empower people vocally by providing them with information about guerrilla marketing techniques.

The term "guerrilla marketing" was coined by author Jay Conrad Levinson in his book of the same title. Levinson defines guerrilla marketing on his Web site as "achieving conventional goals, such as profits and joy, with unconventional methods, such as investing energy instead of money."

Yates and Khodabandeh said guerrilla marketing techniques can be anything from putting leaflets into books that one might not agree with, or even adding counter points to the margins.

"A lot of research has been done about guerrilla marketing methods that are encouraged for small businesses," Khodabandeh said.

However, T.O.W.A.R. seeks to give individuals the tools to market their own ideas and beliefs so they don't feel like they are without a voice.

"I Dream of Richmond …" a campaign created by Khodabandeh, gives the opportunity for fellow Richmonders to communicate their hopes and ideas for the community.

"In a sense, economics really censors people," Khodabandeh said. "The 'I Dream of Richmond ...' campaign creates a forum in which everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard."

Khodabandeh said the campaign has lost some momentum since its conception, leaving a strong need for photographers, participants and other volunteers.

Gallery5, a community-oriented art space in Jackson Ward, is where Khodabandeh and Yates hope community members will join forces.

"Through interactive arts, unconventional exhibitions or educational outreach programs, we encourage patrons of all demographics to engage in this creative energy and use it to strengthen the community that surrounds us," stated Amanda Robinson Khodabandeh, founding executive director of Gallery5, on the Web site.

Continued...

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Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: Spectrum

Media Credit: Stephanie Power Kenny Yates and Bizhan Khodabandeh enjoy some literature at Gallery5's library, Lucent Phoenix.

Two local artists are striving to inspire and motivate others by providing tools for social change in the Richmond area.

Bizhan Khodabandeh and Kenny Yates are the creative minds behind the social movements, "There Once Was a Rebellion" and "I Dream of a Richmond …"

Through T.O.W.A.R., a movement encouraging social activism, Khodabandeh and Yates seek to empower people vocally by providing them with information about guerrilla marketing techniques.

The term "guerrilla marketing" was coined by author Jay Conrad Levinson in his book of the same title. Levinson defines guerrilla marketing on his Web site as "achieving conventional goals, such as profits and joy, with unconventional methods, such as investing energy instead of money."

Yates and Khodabandeh said guerrilla marketing techniques can be anything from putting leaflets into books that one might not agree with, or even adding counter points to the margins.

"A lot of research has been done about guerrilla marketing methods that are encouraged for small businesses," Khodabandeh said.

However, T.O.W.A.R. seeks to give individuals the tools to market their own ideas and beliefs so they don't feel like they are without a voice.

"I Dream of Richmond …" a campaign created by Khodabandeh, gives the opportunity for fellow Richmonders to communicate their hopes and ideas for the community.

"In a sense, economics really censors people," Khodabandeh said. "The 'I Dream of Richmond ...' campaign creates a forum in which everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard."

Khodabandeh said the campaign has lost some momentum since its conception, leaving a strong need for photographers, participants and other volunteers.

Gallery5, a community-oriented art space in Jackson Ward, is where Khodabandeh and Yates hope community members will join forces.

"Through interactive arts, unconventional exhibitions or educational outreach programs, we encourage patrons of all demographics to engage in this creative energy and use it to strengthen the community that surrounds us," stated Amanda Robinson Khodabandeh, founding executive director of Gallery5, on the Web site.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

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