West Bloomfield, MI, United States: Biba Sheikh - Mediterranean Fire LLC: This loan is special because it will allow for increased marketing for this female entrepreneur's cultural and humanitarian mission with vibrant artists and also refugees.

(MENAFNEditorial) iCrowdNewswire - Apr 16, 2017 Biba SheikhMediterranean Fire LLC West Bloomfield, MI, United States / Services A loan of $3,000 helps with structuring humanitarian outreach programs. Biba Sheikh's story

I was born in Ann Arbor Michigan, the first child to immigrants. Receiving my grandmother's name, I recall my first memory of coming back from Lebanon, at 18 months. Standing at the window, seeing black trees and branches towering into white sky. It seemed there was nothing there; I wanted to return "home" to grandmother. My parents told me we weren't going ever again. I let out a voice that was an unconscious cry…my father's forceful voice awoke me. At 18 months, my inner voice spoke: "I am going back…yes I am".

Growing up in cross cultural situations between home and school, we'd play outside, in Michigan's hills and swampland, with neighborhood friends. In open air, amid tall trees which seemed aware of me, the sound of singing birds or crickets' resonated until dawn. I felt superimpositions of refugee camps of Lebanon and Pop Art America. Neighbors who were close friends.. moved away. Others came and thrust us into turmoil. The events in the media had a lot to do with it. Suddenly, kids didn't want to play with us. I taught my siblings to rise above it through expressions beyond words: music communication, theater, and visual arts.

I later dedicated myself to this. I attended Marcel Marceau Mime Academy, Polish Laboratory Theater, in Paris, and studied with the Farruco Dance Family, and Colombian voice Anthropologist, Jorge Lopez, in Sevilla. I performed and taught at universities in Europe, USA, Middle East, and initiated international events, including with the Living Theater, Cristobal Jodorowsky, New World Performance Laboratory; and Visual Arts exhibitions in Museums/galleries.

My rule when I was younger: no matter what, I have to deliver. I bypassed most every obstacle constructing projects from own ideas.

Kiva staff

Mediterranean Fire LLC (MF): The essence of life is fire (Sun) from a Mediterranean perspective. The beautiful and gifted Mediterranean Artists contribute greatly to the MF Company by producing original art objects from various regions of Mediterranean and Arab Cultures. MF sells these contemporary art pieces in art galleries. Major museums also rent MF exhibitions, comprised of art objects from 11 countries.

I organize by myself for now. MF products include paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, multi media works. We also add performances as parallel events. Between 50-100 art pieces are displayed in the MF exhibitions, with price ranges between $1,000-$20,000. The exhibitions are scheduled to tour in USA, Greece, Spain, Germany, and other locations. The online gallery and store is being built to sell art objects in various price ranges. Clients of MF are art collectors, people who want to buy prints and gifts, institutions who want to rent exhibitions, and art workshop participants. I am lucky that MF is supported by well known artists whose ingenuity brings sales, Media, and public. Another line of income is through the selected young artists, who pay MF a fee for services.

15 MF artists give workshops to abandoned/refugee youths. Special programs called R.I.S.E. are in orphanages and refugee camps. To work artistic expression, with these youths, who lost the ability of speech due to traumas is a priceless gift.

I have worked very hard, sometimes under conditions of survival. I used struggle as a fuel to lift this company from nothing. I have artistic objects made by young artists whom are well known in the field of art…and whose art is going up in value. MF has had the acceptance and support from various institutions. I have secured most funding/sponsorships. As well, MF Partners share costs, therefore, greatly reducing the price of a touring exhibition. I'm working diligently, and have prepared during years.

The amount of $3000 would be used for marketing tools for the online gallery and store. The social media channels, and the technical costs for great outreach, communication, and online sales will increase revenues significantly. This will enable MF to expand the product line.

This will increase revenues by a significant margin, enabling MF to become integrated into the international market, with artworks that are considered dynamic. With celebrities attending the auction, and making videos and appearances to promote the artistic and refugee program, we can have much more leverage and reliability to communicate to wider audiences, by capting the media and public… thus great outreach, at no cost. This Loan will enable my business to expand in a way where I and the artists of the challenged countries can exhibit their work worldwide. It is organized. This affects the lives of each by giving promising artists a business structure and entrepreneurial identity. This affects the family members of artists from challenged and struggling countries, since they can have artworks sold in other regions of the world, especially USA. Thus artists may evolve into cultural leaders who will assist others requiring information, empowerment, such as the refugee youths of our storytelling program.

Industry: Services
Years in operation: 6 months - 1 year
Website: mediterraneanfire.com

Biba Sheikh

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