Rays of Light Youth Art Project
Year 3

In 2005, youths came from miles around (no small feat in impoverished rural communities) to participate in the two weekly art classes (one in Ciudad Romero and one in Tierra Blanca). Activities include the teaching and practice of a wide variety of techniques, including: ink, acrylic (on linen, paper, and boards), oil (on linen, paper, and boards), painting the mural that decorates the front of the art gallery, sculpture using recycled paper, silkscreening (on wood and cloth), greeting cards made with vegetable paper, and making foamy figures (a plastic-like substance used for making decorations, especially for children).

International delegate, Jordan, poses with young artist, Balbino, at the Tunalmil Art Gallery

Silkscreen tag, created by art students, to mark trees donated as part of the Romero Memorial Tree Project

The project goal of fifty participants has been surpassed. A total of 124 youths and children participate in the project.

In terms of building social consciousness, the goals have also been surpassed. We did not anticipate the skills of the art teacher, Jose Alberto Garcia, in involving mass media in the project. The project has appeared on national television (including channels 10, 12, and 33) and twice in El Diario de Hoy, the country’s largest newspaper. This publicity has attracted interest in the project from around the country and many requests to visit and observe the project. This national recognition has a local impact as well, building the student’s self esteem and validating their achievements in their own eyes, their parent’s, and the communities’.

In terms of peacebuilding and gang violence, external factors have come into play this year. The decline in gang activity in Tierra Blanca reversed itself. As the United States has deported greater numbers of dangerous gang members, some of those gang members have made their way to the rural areas where they drink, take drugs, participate in organized crime, and recruit new gang members.

In September, several active gang members even appeared at the class while in session, seeking 3 youths who had recently left the gang (and one of whom they had recently beaten). The art teacher, Jose Alberto, intervened in that situation and is in the process of working with gang members to straighten things out. It seems that some of the gang members have been under the mistaken impression that only members of the rival gang were welcome at the classes, creating jealousy. In the meantime, he has asked to local police to stay close by when class is in session.

Left: some of the youths’ art on display at the galleryAbove: youths taking a break from painting the façade of Tunalmil Art Gallery.

The growing gang activities give new urgency to this project and other projects (like Mangrove Radio and the Cybercafe) that provide healthy, creative outlets for young people in the communities. The Rays of Light Youth Art Project is providing a key alternative, especially in Tierra Blanca, to the gangs.