In August artist Caleb Duarte and I visited El Pital, Honduras. We left the Bay Area with overstuffed packs barely containing all of the arts supplies, musical instruments and beautiful children's books generously donated by our friends from the Mural, Music and Art Project, Clif Judy, Les Dewitt and the Armenta and McIntire families.
This two week project was designed with the intention of supporting the current efforts of the community's school and library development projects. Caleb and I had the opportunity to work with the school administration and teachers as well as spend time with many families and of course, all of the children. With the assistance of high school students Caleb painted the new logo designed by the school Principal, Oscar Gomez. Between organizing for the future and numerous river explorations, we led percussion music workshops, and made time for group storytelling, drawing and face painting.
It is my hope to support this three year school redevelopment plan through the introduction of artists, architects and activists to contribute and collaborate in a sharing skills and interests with those of the community members. In the next visit in February, Marisa Jahn and members of the Paper Picker Press will work with the youth in creative writing, bookmaking and design projects. Caleb Duarte hopes to return during his summer break from SAIC to create a land sculpture commemorating the community founders and together we plan to build a more permanent presence of artists in the Cuenca for the future.
