As of February 2007, the Granada Art Project has grown to seven classes, three painting classes, three tile making classes and a photography class. Attached, see pictures from the tile making classes. This class is made possible thanks to the generous cooperation of a local tile making company, Ladrilleria Falvilli.
The Granada Art Project was launched in June '06 with the intent to develop an Art Magnet School in Granada, Nicaragua and to establish an exchange program between Casa Tres Mundos, Granadas pre-eminent Cultural Center and the Chicago art community.
Granada's Colonial history, rich architecture and vibrant community provide the backdrop for a multi-dimensional art project targeted initially at high school and university students. Kicking off the project with a Nicaragua theme exhibit at Highland Park, Illinois's Mimosa restaurant, Peta ran a silent auction on a mural from her series "Working Bulls of Nicaragua". The proceeds from this sale funded the first two projects that will run from September to November '06 with students of Universidad Santo Tomas in Granada.
Project One will focus on tile making. With the cooperation of a local tile making company, Ladrilleria Favilli, students will gain first experience designing tiles. The instructor, Kerry Umana, is a senior at the school and has been selected for her strong design sense. She plans a career as an architect in Granada. This project will result in the production of a tile mural, to be placed in the community.
Project Two will focus on painting and drawing. Students will gain a first experience in expressing themselves through the media of paint, graphite and pen. The instructor, Denis Guevara, is also a senior student at Universidad Santo Tomas and has demonstrated community leadership by organizing art projects with younger children in his neighborhood. This project will culminate in the exhibition in Chicago and Granada of artwork by students of Universidad Santo Tomas and other participating Granada area schools.
A local fund raiser "Granada Art Project" has been set up to collect contributions for the development of this program. Proceeds from this fund raiser and sale of Petas murals at three forthcoming shows, will finance the development of subsequent phases. These shows are:
- "Images of Nicaragua", October 6 November 16, 2006, in Highwood, Illinoiss Gallery 57.
- "Fusion 06", an annual multi-media Central American Art Exhibit organized by Granadas Casa Tres Mundos, November 15 December 15, 06.
- "A Walk in", a collection of canvas murals portraying the visual poetry of different cities around the world. These will include Granada, Paris, Cuzco, Amsterdam, and Chicago.
Donations, in cash or in art material, can be made to the Granada Art
Project, 2765 Roslyn Lane, Highland Park, IL 60035 (or call for
assistance at (847) 433-1190).
