Monday, February 6, 2012

Mural Painting in the Center of the Peas and the Mudd Community

On Sunday February 5th, we held class in the center of the Peas and the Mudd. We received permission to paint a mural on a building in Pigeon Pea, one of the two large Haitian communities in Marsh harbor where most of our students live. Students from all ages were able to join in at any point, and paint. About 25 local children participated including those who regularly attend our Sunday classes. 
We began the mural by outlining a wave, a tree and some flowers on the plywood wall while the kids eagerly waited to start painting. Armed with new brushes and egg cartons filled with paint the kids jumped right in. The oldest girl who painted the sun and large flower was particularly dedicated to the process, wanting to assist in making decisions on placement of objects within the mural.
Soon there were too many children trying to paint the wall, as the mural began attracting more and more children. Luckily we anticipated this problem and brought a huge role of blue paper. Jaclyn and Jessica spread out a couple sheets of paper on the ground and quickly sketched an underwater scene. The children who did not have a spot on the mural immediately flocked to the paper, painting within the ocean scene.
As the day progressed the students quickly discovered the joys of finger panting and then body painting, discovering the joys of using paint, which many had not used before.
People walking by stopped to watch the process of the mural, which created a small audience. The mural was well received by the community. The children were very excited to paint and told us repeatedly it was their favorite project so far. Before we left some of the community members asked us if we would paint another building next week, which we look forward too.
Organizing the Mural
Jaclyn and students worked on a large continuous painting, while taking turns working on the Mural.

Figuring out colors.
Students working together.

The finished mural.
Jessica with Students in the Peas and the Mudd


Sunday, February 5, 2012

February 3rd at Hope Town School

On Friday, we started our fish mobile project, with the whole school from pre-school up to 6th grade. The project is to learn about our local ecosystem and native fish to the Island. Many students taught us, about some of the fish. One student mentioned which parts of a Grouper, are the most tasty, and how to tell the difference between a male and female.  The hanging mobile will have different levels of sea creatures relating to their place in the ocean. Another goal of this project is to learn about creating 3 dimensional work, for people will be viewing the creatures from all sides. 

Pre-school working on creatures

6th grade beginning their sculptures of their creatures 

Student example