We met with the same class as last week and the new additions to it and they all got started quickly. It feels differently as we have the students in uniforms and a lesser amount of time but they are engaged nonetheless, they are preparing pieces for the art show at Kuona Trust this Thursday and are very excited. I am very much looking forward to seeing their art on display, it is a form of honor for them that they get the respect of their work on display. They deserve nothing less. These artist/students are amazing.
Margaret and I worked with the class and about half way through our session realized that we did not start off with a meditation and when we asked the class when to do it, they asked us to reserve it for the end. The students were not centered and a little unfocused and it was clear that the meditation we have each day is useful for them.
We met with the asst principle David Appopo and he was very engaging and excited about the work this week and looks forward to the show. The students continue to progress and we are very proud of all that they do.
It was a day of continued exploration for them. In addition, the show is moving smoothly and we look to have a nice crowd on Thursday. They promise us press but this has not happened in the past so I am not holding my breathe. Margaret has hung many a art show and she will curate this show for the second year. Below is the announcement for the show.
After class we picked up my Kenyan Sister Anne Wagari at the Wilson Airport as she took leave to spend time with us while Margaret and I are here. It was so exciting to see her and she looks great. We went to have a celebration dinner with her to celebrate all of us together at Osteria. Great restaurant and wonderful time. We heard of the harsh stories of Dadaab and the settling of now nearly 400k in the camp. It was very hard to hear of some of the stories and issues and to think she does this work everyday. There is definitely a place in heaven for special people like Anne. Then we were back to the ranch and to bed.
Today we will have class this afternoon and Margaret went off to visit Kitengala glass, a place she has wanted to see and to inquire about glass pieces and bits for next years mozaic that we are planning for the school. I stayed at Pedro Arrupe to do some prep work, read a bit, and write the blog. I also got to have daily tea with the staff that work the grounds and caretake the residence. They are so delightful and our conversations are filled with humor and interesting subjects. Today's discussion focused on our 5 year plans and the possible next president of Kenya being a woman. It was a funny and interesting discussion to say the least.
We are so grateful for the ability to give to this wonderful place that 5 years ago captured our hearts through the faces of these very hopeful people.
With Gratitude,
Charles and Margaret
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Landscapes of the Mind
An exhibit of the Artists of St. Aloysius of Gonzaga Secondary School
Landscapes of the Mind is an exploration at all levels of art ability to create in
many different mediums landscapes that come from ones mind, imagination and
inspiration. This is the 2nd annual exhibit of the students of St. Aloysius of
Gonzaga Secondary school at the Kuona Trust.
On an initial visit, Georgetown University administrators realizing the absence of
a visual art education, created an art immersion program that is in its 4th year.
These artist receive art instruction annually from these administrators who first
visited Kibera in 2007. After the first year of the art immersion program the
artist/students formed the art club with functions all year around with the
intensive art instruction delivered in a two week annual art immersion program
for students with an interest in art. The art club draws from the immersion
experience and also facilitates peer to peer learning and independent
exploration. In its 4th year the art immersion program has yields some amazing
artists that are conveying landscapes in mediums from pencil to oil colors from
their own imagination although many of these students may have never
experienced the place their mind has allowed them to create.
There exploration of landscapes has resulted in a successful body of work that
really represents the fantastic art ability of the smart, beautiful and important
students of St. Aloysius which has now been in its in new site in Lang'ata for
over a year.
Please join us for this exhibition at the Kuona Trust Centre for Visual Arts,
Likoni Close, Likoni Lane off Dennis Pritt Rd, Hurlingham on Thursday, August 18
at 6:30pm for the opening of the "Landscapes of the Mind', works of the artists
of St. Aloysius Secondary School.
www.sagnairobi.org
I
An exhibit of the Artists of St. Aloysius of Gonzaga Secondary School
Landscapes of the Mind is an exploration at all levels of art ability to create in
many different mediums landscapes that come from ones mind, imagination and
inspiration. This is the 2nd annual exhibit of the students of St. Aloysius of
Gonzaga Secondary school at the Kuona Trust.
On an initial visit, Georgetown University administrators realizing the absence of
a visual art education, created an art immersion program that is in its 4th year.
These artist receive art instruction annually from these administrators who first
visited Kibera in 2007. After the first year of the art immersion program the
artist/students formed the art club with functions all year around with the
intensive art instruction delivered in a two week annual art immersion program
for students with an interest in art. The art club draws from the immersion
experience and also facilitates peer to peer learning and independent
exploration. In its 4th year the art immersion program has yields some amazing
artists that are conveying landscapes in mediums from pencil to oil colors from
their own imagination although many of these students may have never
experienced the place their mind has allowed them to create.
There exploration of landscapes has resulted in a successful body of work that
really represents the fantastic art ability of the smart, beautiful and important
students of St. Aloysius which has now been in its in new site in Lang'ata for
over a year.
Please join us for this exhibition at the Kuona Trust Centre for Visual Arts,
Likoni Close, Likoni Lane off Dennis Pritt Rd, Hurlingham on Thursday, August 18
at 6:30pm for the opening of the "Landscapes of the Mind', works of the artists
of St. Aloysius Secondary School.
www.sagnairobi.org
I
I love and am inspired by your daily meditations and how different it was not starting that way. It makes me want to see how I might be able to include something similar with some of my patients.
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