Abriendo Mentes – Opening Minds – Costa Rica
My daughter and I stumbled upon this lovely community center last year after swimming at Playa Penca in Costa Rica. Abriendo Mentes (Opening Minds) operates in the rural village of Playa Potrero, where the only educational resource for youth is a small, four room public school that offers classes only three hours per day, 85 days per year. The lack of funding for public education leads to apathy in the students, fosters a negative view of learning, and discourages children from pursuing a higher education. AM is the only organization in the area offering continuing education classes and extra-curricular opportunites to community members. For many students, these classes are their only creative and educational outlet, and their primary opportunity for personal growth. AM helps give people the chance to change their perspective, and the opportunity to seek a better life for themselves and their children. Not only does AM teach job skills, they also teach self-esteem, hope, and inspiration.
I returned to the area this year to create a creative community space for the children through mosaic. It is a satisfying and empowering opportunity for children to see how they can transform and improve their environment. It was such my pleasure to be a part of this community project.
To view more pictures of this project:
http://abriendomentespotrero.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/mosaic-watch-the-transformation/
drawings for costa rica mosaics
I am going back to costa rica soon to create mosaics with the children of playa portrero at Abriendo Mentes. It is a very exciting collaboration. We will be working on eight columns on the back of the building in their newly created garden.
liberty hall mural…..almost there!
liberty hall mural continues….
My third, fourth, and fifth grade art students continue their fabulous work on our mural….
Beginning of Liberty Hall Mural…..
This is the beginning of our 15′ x 5.5′ mural in Liberty Hall. I designed the mural, and am teaching my 3rd, 4th and 5th grade art students the beautiful art of mosaic and the importance of murals and beautifying your environment. Creating a mosaic mural is enticing for children and a satisfying opportunity for them to see how they can transform and improve their environment.
gemini
hopscotch
these 2′ x 2′ hopscotch tiles were inspired by my children, our pets and our travels. they will be installed in the backyard soon.
slinger middle school – owl
This 8′x8′ mosaic mural was completed with middle school children and Gail Hefti, their amazing art teacher. Many tiles were hand-glazed to create all of the needed colors.
henri matisse’s nuit de noel – dixon elementary
slinger middle school – two owl murals in the making….
