I can't recall the last time I admired birds in flight, such freedom and splendor. I wonder the last time she did the same. It was brought to my attention just how trivial my woes are when I met a little girl diagnosed with a terminal disease at Project Medishare. Her name was Miselene and she had no parents to speak of. I can only speculate they were lost to the tranblemannt
Flying Hands Mural: Art is the Universal Language
When you work with kids, to give them a voice in an environment that is particularly harsh, crushing and potentially foreshadowing of hardship to come. It is important, in my opinion, to foster flying when possible. To rise above the hurdles and let them not hinder dreams and goals.
Our resident art teacher, Jenni Ward, brought down a large oiled drop cloth and paints. Teachers and Students alike decorated it with hand prints. Then the HOPE Art team doodled all kinds of things onto the mural, to inspire flying.
Our HOPE Art team doodled all kinds of things onto the mural, to inspire flying.
Wings
Pegasus
Birds
Angels
Flying pigs
Dragons
you name it, we doodled it.
We'll be hosting an art show this Summer to show off our mural. The finished product is beautiful, but the process to achieve it is even more so.
Mimi
Art in the time of cholera
As an art teacher of 13 years, I knew that art could bring joy, yet I couldn't help but wonder, "could art bring joy in the time of cholera?" At a time when the priorities of food, water, shelter and medicine are dire and when the future seems dismal does a week of whimsical art making, face painting and dance parties seem reasonable? The short answer: YES!
The week was spent moving between the Wings over Haiti school, working with kids in neighboring tent cities, the Angels of Light orphanage and with pediatric patients at Medishare and they were thrilled when we arrived with our speaker system bumping and our bags bulging with art supplies. From origami cranes that hung over the patients beds to sketch books filled with mini-masterpieces, every child enjoyed the much needed week of whimsy. Parents, teachers and caregivers couldn't help but join in on the dancing and doodling too. In the end, we were completely convinced that it is not enough to just survive with the basic needs met, but it is vital to survive with culture, happiness and spirit intact.
We are happy to report that our program was so well received that we were unable to meet all the requests from various programs. So, we are already planning another trip in late summer 2011. We hope to continue to share a creative outlet with as many children as possible. Thank you to all of you who made this first trip a reality. ART LIVES in Haiti!!!
Jenni
Freedom
Words escape me, on describing this Haiti Trip.
Cruel Poverty.
Beautiful Strength.
Raw Survival.
Laughter.
Love.
I know I need to go back, again and again to fully understand what is happening. Not on a political landscape. But a human landscape. This is truly what life is about
Our story featured in the Santa Cruz Sentinel
We met with Shanna McCord of The Santa Cruz Sentinel yesterday as we packed up our 10 allotted suitcases with all of the art and medical supplies. It was a tricky balancing act trying to get the suitcases to just the right weight, and still be taking what we need. We started the day with a champagne toast and ended it with two packed suitcases each totalling exactly 70 pounds between the two. After Shanna left, we toyed around with when we thought the article would print. To our surprise it ran today (the next day.) So, THANK YOU Shanna.
It’s crazy, We’ve already gotten a response from a local Santa Cruz vendor wanting to donate candles to our cause. Carry-on Perhaps?
To check out the article, check out the following link;
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_16996870