aBOUT REUBEN
WILD WOLF FINE ARTS STUDIO
"The Wild Wolf Discovered- If you always do what you have always done"
Reuben Kenyatta
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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.
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Notable Supporters & Collaborators
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U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Veteran Health Administration |
Veteran Affairs Agency Michigan |
University Of Michigan (LSA) Prison Creative Arts Project |
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Volunteers Of America (VOA) Michigan |
1Heart-Arts (Facilitators) Chicago, Illinois |
ARRO (Advocacy) Reentry, Resources & Outreach |
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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"
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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.
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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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Sharing a brief moment with Mr. Roy Saper of Saper Galleries and Custom Framing |
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
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1st Place -Michigan
Category Medium Acrylic 
MARCH 16, 2016 |
art exhibit / |
art exhibit |
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
September 2017
LEGISLATIVE DAY 2017
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Citizen for prison reform -cpr
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VETERANs DAY SPEAKER
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WKAR POP-UP STORIES
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Social Service
Veterans Color Bearers
"FUNDRAISERS EVENT" |
"Doors For Humanity"
AUCTION event 2015
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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".
"Community Crusaders".
Social Engagements
"RASING THE COLORS"
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PAUL AND REUBEN
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HONORING
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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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The Awakening
"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 michigan
the mind altering letter
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Military Service
1970 SITE
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1970 SITE
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1970 USMC Helicopter Air Station
Santa Ana, California First Duty assignment fresh out of Boot Camp |
credited: Bob Eckert PhotographyMarine Corps Recruit Depot
San Diego, California - circa 1970 |
HELL IN HELMET
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Camp Schwab - Okinawa
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FRONT-GATE |
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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
acrylics using the creative process of art making as a means of support for stress management.
Copyright (c) 2020 Reuben Kenyatta All rights reserved