Art Workshop

Thanks to the swine flu, kids here in Costa Rica got an extra week off for their winter vacation. (Yes, it's technically winter here right now). Given that this was our first experience running a tutoring center during vacation we didn't really know what to expect. Would we have no kids because everyone is enjoying their vacation? Or would we have a ton of kids because the moms wanted something for their kids to do? It proved to be more of the first. Our faithfuls, Alica and Catalyna were there everyday, along with a sprinkling of others. When presented with a third week of vacation, we decided to take advantage of it and plan something special. Bríana and Jaclyn, who were part of a group here from Fresno, helped me plan and prep for an Art Workshop. Jaclyn made lovely hand-decorated flyers and we invited all the kids who normally come to the tutoring center, plus a few more.

I was a little nervous because I've never taught art before, but I quickly realized you don't have to be a professional artist to teach kids. We had a great turnout, and the kids loved it!!! Plus, I think everyone from the group enjoyed painting as much as the kids did. It was also a great opportunity to help expand the kids world. We put art prints from old calendars up around the room to serve as inspiration. Many of the kids made their own rendition of Monet or Picasso, and now those paintings are going to brighten up their own rooms. I can't wait to do something like this again with the kids! Thanks to all the groups' help; I couldn't have pulled it off on my own.



The Giannina and Ricardo, pastors at the church where we do the tutoring center, with Jaclyn and Bríana


Paola, Allison and Kenneth had a blast painting with Shirley and Janie


Britany, intently focused on her pointillism


Alicia and Catalyna. Alicia loved Picasso!