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| Artistic Site of Kiersten Chace |
DNA PROJECT
1995 | 1996 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000a | 2000b | 2004 | 2008
CHRISTIAN EXPLAINERS
J.L. ZWANE
OPEN ARMS
ARM IN ARM IN AFRICA
ATLANTIS
CAPE FLATS
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The journey...
1994 When Kiersten began her spiritual walk, she vowed to use her skills and talents for the purpose of equipping others with the tools they need to fulfill their business or personal goals. Chace has been involved in various community projects throughout South Africa including HIV/Aid's training, domestic abuse seminars, business mentorship programs and a homeless children's education project. In addition, Chace has been a key liaison between South African organizations 'in need' and international organizations who can provide funding and skills training for their community upliftment projects. This includes Open Arms of Minnesota, St. Joan of Arc - Arm in Arm in Africa, 4Given International and others. 1995 Chace produced the first USA concert tour for the South African gospel group Christian Explainers', a 25 day tour that included 40 performances throughout Minnesota. This concert tour helped fund the building of a small music school in the township of Nooitgedacht (outside of Cape Town). Since her initial visit to Cape Town, Kiersten has been devoted to the township communities of South Africa and has spent years researching the history of the Cape Coloured community of South Africa. 1996 - Kare11 - with Christian Explainers
Chace was also invited to South Africa by the organization 'BEST' to work on a concert tour for a music group in Kimberley. She traveled nearly 3000 kilometers by car, throughout the Northern Cape Province visiting small towns and participating in educational seminars with BEST and met with various organizations. Kiersten was instrumental in bringing white city officials and a 'coloured' NGO to the table for discussions on how to collaborate on a homeless children's project. This was unprecedented at the time.
During her travels through the Northern Cape (1998), Kiersten was honored by being asked to speak on behalf of 'BEST', a 'coloured' NGO, at the exclusive Kimberley Club in Kimberley, South Africa. This club was founded by Cecil Rhoades back in the late 1800's upon the discovery of diamonds in Kimberley. It was not until 2002 that women were even allowed to hold membership and very few were allowed to speak or make presentation. It was also one of the rare times, if not the first time, that a 'coloured' organization was invited to come to the club.  1998 - Kimberley Club in Kimberley South Africa 2000 Chace travels to South Africa to explore the idea of designing and marketing a Culinary and Cultural tour to Cape Town. She visited 30 hotel properties, dined with top chefs in the Western Cape Province and met Rev. Spiwo Xapile, who had a dream and vision to build a large community center in the township of Gugulethu. This chance meeting would later result in a future collaboration with several Minnesota organizations.
2001 Kiersten hosts her Culinary and Cultural tour with a group of 10 from Open Arms of Minnesota, who are today still actively funding and involved with the Gugulethu community center. In October 2001, Chace hosted another tour to South Africa for St. Joan of Arc Church to include Father Cassidy, and several congregation members. As a result of this trip, they formed a non-profit organization called Arm in Arm in Africa and are still actively involved in ministry projects.
2004 Kiersten designed a missions trip for 4given Ministries International. This group of eight (including four children) were involved in feeding programs, community outreach projects, and the four Miller children performed throughout the Western Cape.
 Soon thereafter Kiersten developed a Twin Cities Gospel Music Ministry Agency called CGI, Chace Group Inc. In addition, she produced the CGI Artist Showcase event at the nation's largest Christian Nightclub, Club 3 Degrees. This was a multi-cultural event that combined music, theatre and art ministry together. 2006 'Nomonde's Sojourn' published August 15, 2006. This was Kiersten's first book and is a personal reflection of her life's journey. Includes her paintings, poetry and short stories. 2007 Chace incorporates Monde World Films and begins her pre production work for the film 'I'm Not Black, I'm Coloured' and becomes the administrator of a ground breaking genetic DNA project in South Africa. The Cape Coloured DNA project is sponsored by Family Tree DNA and was the first testing project open to the public in South Africa. 2008 Filming begins in Cape Town. Chace teams up with Wheels Productions in South Africa and films 26 hours of interviews and b-roll. Post Production/editing began in June 2008. 2009 January 16, 2009 - Second book published 'Voices from the Cape' February 5, 2009 - the film 'I'm Not Black, I'm Coloured' premieres at the Riverview Theatre in Minneapolis, MN. Other screenings include Macalester College, St. Cloud State University, St. Stephens Lutheran Church and Northwestern University in Chicago. |
Chace Design Group
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