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WILD WOLF FINE ARTS STUDIO
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  aBOUT REUBEN 

​​​​WILD WOLF FINE ARTS STUDIO
"The Wild Wolf Discovered- If you always do what you have always done" 

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Reuben Kenyatta   


​artist-in-residence


"I often remind myself as an artist
that I learn more with my ears than my mouth, and twice as much with my eyes"
         Reuben Kenyatta is a U.S. Marine Corp veteran of the Vietnam era and the Artist-in-residence at Wild Wolf Fine Arts Studio who holds a Bachelor Of Arts Degree (BA) from Spring Arbor University- Michigan. 
         On a personal level he thrives as an artist focusing on turning proposed ideas into visual images for commercial and  practical use for himself and the community. 
The Early Years
         Exposure to the arts came early for Reuben.​ It was
by good fortune his first 4 years of life was honored with play time inside an art studio at the home of his mother's employer while she worked during the day. 

         After graduating from high school and volunteering for the US Marine Corp at age 17, his creative interest had reached full bloom as a teen, but was short-lived after experiencing unexpected traumas during Boot Camp and on tour of duty in Asia. The impact of that trauma no only damaged his creative interest, but also his attitude towards life as a whole./
The Hamster Wheel
         Being Stuck in a cloudy turbulent world and unable to adjust peacefully into society upon his return from the military, Reuben was left blindsided for years fighting a silent enemy within long after his service to his country had ended.
         Back and forth in trying to find peace, it was during one of his many conflicts that he eventually met a conscientious group in an art workshop from Michigan State University called Prison Creative Art Project that provided Reuben a different prospective in how to view art.
         Informally, it came in two parts. First, they encouraged him to paint from the perspective of how he felt about things (emotionally) as oppose to how he thought about them mentally. Second, they pushed an idea he came to realize later, that the more you unload your feelings into your art, the more the creative process of art making become stabilizing and comforting to your inner sense of well-being. 
The Artist  
​​​         Now, as artist-in-residence at Wild Wolf Fine Arts Studio and support from many contributors, he has integrated art into his life once again, but this time using it as a direct means of support for stress management, and to encourage others veterans similarly situated to find creative means of expression to help restore their sense of balance and self worth.

Notable Supporters & Collaborators
U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
​Veteran Health Administration 
Veteran Affairs Agency
 
​
Michigan
University Of Michigan (LSA)
Prison Creative Arts Project 


​Volunteers Of America
(VOA) Michigan 
1Heart-Arts  (Facilitators)
Chicago, Illinois
ARRO (Advocacy)
Reentry, Resources & Outreach

MSU Residential College in
​the Arts and Humanities
   
Change of Heart Ministry 
I.H. Mary Parish- Michigan
Citizens for Prison Reform(CPR)
 Educate & Empower Families

Art Exhibits   
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"​I have a name"
​LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE
STAGE PERFORMANCE/W ART EXHIBIT
DART AUDITORIUM - NOV 16 AND 17 2019

The show portrays and dispel myths about homelessness .  It incorporated music, spoken poetry and interpretive dance, all done by LCC professors, alumni and students  -  Directed by Paige Tufford faculty at LCC.
This original play was developed by Judy Allen,
English faculty at LCC (above center) after learning one of her students was once homeless. It also included artwork by Reuben and his story of homelessness.



"​Homeless No More"
FUNDRAISERS EVENT / ART exhibit 

Kellogg Center,  East Lansing, MI.

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"homeless no more" painting auctioned at the event

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February 13, 2018  Reuben had the opportunity to be apart of an amazing fundraiser held by Volunteers Of America- Michigan.
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​Sharing
 a brief moment
with Mr. Roy Saper of

Saper Galleries and Custom Framing


MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
​GROUP ART EXHIBIT-  FEBRUARY 19, 2018 -
​​​RCAH LOOKOUT ART GALLERY

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​1st Place -Michigan
Category Medium Acrylic 
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MARCH 16, 2016
National Veterans Creative Arts Competition & Festival

 va battle creek michigan


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art exhibit /
plein air painting 
jazz fest 2017
Fri, Aug 4 & Sat, Aug 5th 

 Old Town Lansing  

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art exhibit
Duderstadt gallery Center
​university of michigan

prison creative art project "pcap"


Speaker
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"DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS"​

​One-day conference highlights programs and research that use the arts to improve patient outcomes.
​September 2017


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LEGISLATIVE DAY 2017
michigan state
​capital library

Presentation being made to Attorney Sandra Bailiff Girard for her many valuable years of service for social reform and citizen rights.
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Citizen for prison reform -cpr
​Legislative education day

CPR is a grass-roots, family-led initiative that engages, educates and empowers families and those affected by crime and punishment to advance their constitutional, civil and human rights.


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VETERANs DAY SPEAKER
​VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA- MI
november 11, 2017

Veterans Day is November 11th . It evolved from Armistice Day, which was proclaimed in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson. It's a day of appreciation for all of the brave men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces. 
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WKAR POP-UP STORIES​
REACH Studio Art Center OCTOBER 2015

Reuben as a storytellers  -  The Theme:
​"Create and Destroy"
Sponsored By  Michigan State University

Social Service
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Veterans Color Bearers

"FUNDRAISERS EVENT"
​​​ MARCH 20, 2015
​KELLOGG CENTER, EAST LANSING, Mi
​​HOST VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA


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"Doors For Humanity" 

AUCTION event 2015
habitat for humanity- capital region  

Michigan State Capital depicted on a full size house door and donated to Habitat For Humanity for auction the 2015
BluesFest Kick Off Event .

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"COMMUNITY CRUSADERS”  MURAL -  2016
EVERYBODY READS BOOK STORE​

This community mural project was cultivated to inspire children to grow strong in character and determination - Titled: "Community Crusaders". It highlights at the top of mural local activists in and around the capital area of Michigan who have made contributions to their community worthy of the title
"Community Crusaders".


Social Engagements
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"RASING THE COLORS"
by Paul Collins

Mr. Collins is a world famous American realist painter known for his skillful use of textures, and light, that reflects the beauty and strength of cultures around the world*
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PAUL AND REUBEN
grand rapids, mi.

Had the good fortune to meet and chat with Mr. Collins on a few occasions.  Over the years he has been the lit candle lighting my pathway to the possibilities of becoming an artist. Encouraged by his personal achievements, left me inspired to continue in my effort to reach my  fullest potential in this craft.

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HONORING
"​
Major General Gregory J. Vadnais"
VETERAN TRIBUTE -  Oct. 5, 2017 

​Volunteers Of America-  Michigan
​Demmer Center - Michigan State University 
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Birmingham, ALABAMA 1963

  Mamie King-Chalmers grew up in Jim Crow South. In 1963, when Mamie was 22, she and her family met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and joined the “Children’s Crusade” by becoming foot soldiers for the Civil Rights Movement. Mamie was not only attacked by water hoses, but chased by dogs, beaten, and jailed under even worst conditions.  
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Mamie King-Chambers
Civil Rights activisT

The photo above of her being hosed with two unidentified young men is the famous iconic photo taken by Charles Moore and gained national attention when featured in Time Magazine*
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martin luther kings day
Michigan state universtiy

Honored to meet and be graced by the presence of Ms. Mamie King-Chalmers.  When this iconic photo was taken, I was 11 years old living in Alabama  just a hour and a half drive from where this iconic photo was taken.


The Awakening
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​"U.S. Flag Presentation"
August 1990 honored with recognition and flag flown over the United States Capitol at request of the Honorable Guy Vander Jagt, member of the US House of Representative for public service work. 

         Unknowingly suffering  symptom of post traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) many vital years of my life was spent stuck on the "Hamster Wheel". My first experience with the criminal justice system came shortly after my 20th birthday and release from military service,
         
​         After repeated failures, witnessing the wheels of justice roll methodically over his future year after year, it finally became clear to Reuben even under the turbulent cloud of PTSD, that "I must break free of the hamster wheel in order to have a productive life.  Any improvements for me, would have to come from within me".
​

​MAY 31, 1985
​SENATOR PHIL ARTHURHULTZ
​majority floor leader - ​state of mi​chigan


the mind altering letter

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​mural painting
muskegon old coast guard station

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Letter of recognition from the Michigan Senate Majority floor Leader regarding a news article highlighting a mural painting. It also became the letter that helped me realize two things: I have worth, but had allowed my on going inner conflict to become an outer conflict.
​

"where ever the mind go 
​your enery will surely flow"


Military Service
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1970 SITE
Camp Pendelton Marine Corp Base site covers 125,00 acres
​in San Diego County caifornia 

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1970 SITE
CAMP PENDELTON MARINE CORP BASE
​USMC infiltration course
camp pendelton california

“The USMC Infiltration Course​ is a training exercise
that require recruits to crawl the length of a rough long trench laced with barbed-wire entanglements.  Machine guns lined vertically along the length of the course,  fire live rounds over head while gas cannon pits explode randomly on both sides.

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1970 USMC Helicopter Air Station
​Santa Ana, California 
First Duty assignment fresh out of Boot Camp
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credited: Bob Eckert Photography

Marine Corps Recruit Depot
​San Diego, California - circa 1970

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HELL IN HELMET
​2nd battltion 9th marines

Unit assigned to sea duty in and around the waters of Vietnam while receiving combat training at Camp Fuji Japan and Subic Bay in the Philippines. 
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Camp Schwab -  Okinawa
2nd Battalion, 9th REGIMENET (2/9), 3RD Marines DIVISION 


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FRONT-GATE
CAMP SCHWAB OKINAWA 1970 
​2ND BATTLTION 9TH MARINEs

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​

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INSIDE BARRACK 1971
CAMP SCHWAB OKINAWA 2BN 9TH REG 3RD MAR DIV

to do BETTER WE MUST KNOW BETTER

Wild Wolf Fine Arts Studio is a veteran owned studio by a self taught artist in the medium of
acrylics using the creative process of art making as a means of support for stress management. 
Copyright (c) 2020  Reuben Kenyatta  All rights reserved
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  • COVER PAGE
  • ART GALLERY
    • ABOUT THE ART
  • ABOUT REUBEN
  • CONTACT
  • HEADLINE NEWS 1
    • METRO NEWS 2
    • HEALTH WELFARE 3
    • FEATURED VET 4