Exposición

I was very proud to celebrate the hardworking jóvenes that participated in the drawing and painting class on Monday. We started out with over 50 hopefuls, and ended up with a nicely sized group of about 20 dedicated students. Some of the kids came over to the casa comunal at 8am to clean and mop the floors (probably for the first time in years).

I'm embarrassed to admit how ridiculously difficult it was to make those letters. 

Just getting started! 

Here is some of the students' work:

I replicated a photo of my grandma. It's not very good, but I set the sell price at $1,000 for kicks. 

While we had the open house, the carrera de cinta was taking place outside. This made things troublesome when our referigerio arrived and grabby people threw their hands in my face for panes and wanted two more for their friends outside. It kind of defeated the purpose of the exposición de la clase de dibujo y pintura. We're here to celebrate the KIDS! They didn't even look at the paintings. I got fed up with some bolos and told them they had to tell me what their favorite painting was, who painted it, and how much it costs before they could collect. That at least forced them to acknowledge there were paintings in the room.

The open house was worth it though. I'm so, so, so proud of the kid's work! Leo has been a great partner and teacher as well, and I hope he continues with the class.

Art class

I'm so proud of the twenty kids who show up to Leo's art class on Thursdays. Right now the class is working on artesania while me, Leo and the ADESCO write a grant for painting supplies. I like being creative, but the delicate art of craft making is often lost on me. These kids definitely make better bracelets than I do! Leo's also a great teacher. He has all the patience in the world. I'll keep you all updated on the progress of the group in the following months!

Here's some photos of the class:

Before class everyone helps set up the tables and sweep the casa comunal.

Leo showing the girls how to do the thingy with the string.

Wendy lives down the road from me. She does a great job!

Arts and crafts

Wednesday September 18, 4pm

I've never been very crafty. I lack the spacial reasoning necessary for scrapbooking, dexterity for crocheting, and patience for everything else. I started a magazine mosaic of a sunset once. I think it's still half finished in my bedroom at home. I also did time in a creative art class in grade school, but that's about the extent of my artsy ways. 

This week was craft week. It's like shark week, except it's a lot less exciting and you can't make a drinking game out of it (Peace Corps' rules, not mine). 

I think I've done more crafts here than I ever did in the US. It was fun! 

Rachel teaching me how to make friendship bracelets. I've never made one in my life! With all the new friends I'm making I figured nows a good time to learn. 

Anil workshop. Anil (not sure I'm spelling that right) is natural indigo. They used in the Mayans times. 

Kai's host mom (left blue shirt) is a pro and she sells tshirts, jewelry, skirts and dress of tie dye in the town. 

Kai, Mario and Angelica squishing the dye. 

Me and Maria, squishing away. And I shall call him squishy! 

Angelica's awesome shirt 

I call it "When the planets align..."

We're so darn unique.

We also had a candle making workshop, but I decided not to go last minute for multiple reasons. Mainly because my stomach was recovering from being so explosive, and I didn't want to take the bus alone in the dark. The candles were beautiful though, I really regret not going! 

Instead I bought a bunch of candles from the local artisan group, NuCu. I'm going to write something cheesy about bringing light to the world and give them to my future community guides. 

Flowers IN the candles! I bet Pier 1 is hawking the same thing for $15 a pop.