Final Project Artist Statement

Ever since I can remember, I’ve never been able to do anything artistic; I can’t draw, paint, or play an instrument. So, when I signed up to be involved in the arts & crafts program at Escuela Vieau, I don’t know what I was thinking, or expecting. Since February, I’ve worked with paint, felt, glitter, glue, glitter glue, paper-mâché, crayons, markers, and every other craft supply you can imagine. Art and being creative surpass language barriers and appeal to everyone’s sense of self expression and individuality. Actions speak louder than words, and I think that art does too. Working with the children at Escuela Vieau has opened my mind and my imagination. Through working together on various projects, they have absorbed me into their culture, traditions, and some of their language. I chose to have arts & crafts as my theme for my final project because I feel that it’s the primary way that I connected with the school community of faculty and students. Although we sometimes don’t speak the same language, the Escuela Vieau community has influenced my life more than I could have imagined.

By composing the images in my final project chronologically, I wanted to show my physical and mental journey through the halls of Escuela Vieau. I start by showing the school’s logo, a symbol of pride and multiculturalism. Then, I address the positive attitude practiced by the school community. I never felt like an outsider or intruder within the walls of Escuela Vieau. I feel like the message of attitude making “a world of difference” is especially relevant today because of the current immigration debates happening in our country and around the world. I move on through the space we typically do arts & crafts in to display the wall paintings of Daffy Duck & Spongebob Squarepants. I move down the hallways to show more crafts that are displayed on the walls. Dr. Seuss is not only an icon, but he’s an influential writer for children of all cultures, generations, and languages. From there, I show the different art projects I’ve done with the children throughout the months. The time with them seems to have flown by, especially when I consider the friendships I’ve made and experiences we’ve shared. I wanted to end my presentation with images of me leaving the school and taking my newfound knowledge, acceptance, and experiences into the surrounding community and beyond. Ironically, one side of the school lies on W. National Avenue. Not only is it important that we be accepting of other cultures, languages, and peoples nowadays, but we need to come together as a nation in these times of confusion, ignorance, and blind prejudice. This service learning experience has made me truly feel like I am a multicultural individual.