Trazos de Luz: Art Project in El Salvador

Trazos de Luz: Youth Art Project

	In August 2002, the FSSCA and Coordinadora began an art project for at-risk youth in El Salvador's Bajo Lempa region. Nearly 100 student's participated in the fall classes; many more had to be put on a waiting list. During the fall semester, Salvadoran artist Jose Alberto Garcia (also known as JOALGAR) taught students a variety of different painting and drawing techniques.
An award-winning piece by Seneira Velasquez.	The art class in Tierra Blanca, a semi-urban community with a history of gang violence.
Classes are held weekly, one in Tierra Blanca and one in Ciudad Romero. This project has helped these and neighboring communities respond to the need to provide healthy, constructive activities for their youths.	The art class in Ciudad Romero displays some of the works they produced during the fall semester.
El Salvador's pacific coast, at a short distance from where classes are held, inspires many of these aspiring artists. To the right, an award-winning abstract work by "Coneja," a young woman from Tierra Blanca.
Singer Ali Primera immortalized El Salvador's blue sky in "Sombrero Azul." He said that Salvadorans have so much dignity that, even in the face of hardship and tragedy, the sky is their hat.	In December, to wrap up the first semester of classes, a celebration was held. Some of the country's premier artists gathered in Ciudad Romero to evaluate the semester's work and praise the students for their accomplishments. They recognized that although these young artists have just begun, many of them are full of talent.
Students with their award-winning pieces.	A still-life by Damaris Velasquez, celebrating music.
	A delegation from the United States observes a class.
This spring, art classes are expanding beyond painting and drawing to include silk-screening and ceramics. When their training is complete, the Foundation and Coordinadora expect that many of these youths will be able to earn a living through creativity. In fact, a few have already sold a few pieces to people who have come to visit the communities!Your donation of $330 can sponsor a student’s art supplies for one year. Certainly, for these students, it would make a big difference. To donate, click here.