In June, I traveled to Haiti with assistant Erin Rogers to work with local youth to design and create a large- scale mosaic mural in partnership with the Art Creation Foundation For Haitian Children in Jacmel, Haiti.
The town of Jacmel, about 50 miles south of Port au Prince, was hit badly by the earthquake and thousands of people are living in tents and lacking basic resources.
In 8 days we worked with over 50 youth and adults to create a beautiful mosaic mural depicting an ancestral tree that will serve as a memorial for the lives lost as a result of the devastating earthquake last January and serve as an affirmation for future rebuilding in Haiti.
The mural was created from mostly gathered and locally sourced materials including broken tile donated from company in Port au Prince, shells, stones, mirror, sea glass and salvaged materials. The wall fro the mural was donated by the Mayor of Jacmel, who is in support of the continuing project to help affirm Jacmel as the artistic center and tourist destination it has been historically.
The project focused on skill- building and mosaic training for youth and young adults so that they may use these skills for future entrepreneurial development. It will serve as the beginning of a sustainable mosaic art program at ACFFC- as well as potential job training for teachers and trades people.
The project continues!
Phase Two of the project will include the design and creation of a 200- foot long mosaic mural depicting a carnival scene and historic Jacmel.
Phase Three will include the development of a seating area and gathering space for residents and visitors.
Art is widely known to aid in the healing process and we hope that this mural can be a small part of building something beautiful and constructive out of this tragedy.
Art Creation Foundation for Children was stablished in 2003 with a mission to help children achieve self-sufficiency via the arts and education as well as internalize a sense of social responsibility, community and connectedness, ACFFC has over 80 children in their program through which they offer art education, a food program, family support and entrepreneurial training in the arts.
If you would to make a donation to Phase 2 of the Jacmel Mosaic Mural Wall Project or any of Laurel True's community projects, please click here:
Photos
http://gallery.me.com/laureltrue#100059&bgcolor=black&view=grid
or
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?aid=185811&id=276758323289&ref=mf
More Information:
http://thedecoratingdiva.com/art-with-a-mission-piecing-together-hearts-souls-in-haiti-via-mosaics/
