The 2009 Art Festival in Antigua, Guatemala has several goals. Our primary goal is to promote art in the associations and communities around Antigua. We began the Art Festival in 2009 and invited five community organizations to participate. Two of the associations already had art programs, but three art programs were created just so the associations could participate in the Art Festival. By holding this event, local associations are inspired to create art programs in the curriculums. In 2010, we plan to invite more local associations to participate so that they will also be inspired to create art programs for their children.
A second goal is to use art to teach the importance of self-expression. Art is a very powerful form of expression and can give a voice to children and teenagers, boys and girls, indigenous and Ladinos. Children and youth living in poverty often have difficulties expressing themselves and releasing their emotions. They may turn to violence or drugs to escape their feelings. We want to teach children and youth how to express themselves in art and at the same time, create something beautiful. We hold workshops several months before the Festival to teach the associations different ways to teach art. We explain to them that we do care about technical skills, but we care more about the ability of the children to express themselves. We appreciate figurative art, but we also value abstract art that represents strong emotions or perspectives.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.