African Children Served by Art Gallery at Mall
The Community Recorder
"African Children Served by Art Gallery at
Mall"
Debbie Kennedy - Staff Reporter
Published: November 6, 2003; Vol. 8, No. 2
Click here for a photocopy of the article retyped below.
Staff of the Art Machine Inc. say the current display of Samburu artwork
at the ship in Crestview Hills Mall shows they are more interested in
paintings than profits.
From now until Friday, Nov. 14, visitors to the mall can view and purchase paintings, beadwork and handmade toys of the children and women of the Northern Kenya tribe with the knowledge 100 percent of the money will go back to the artists whose lives have been devastated by years of drought and poverty.
Arlene Gibeau, president of Art Machine Inc.'s board of directors, says the aim of this non-profit agency is to help people understand the important role art plays in reflecting and creating a society's values.
"Children and adults learn more about themselves and the world around them through the art of children," she said.
In addition to displaying the work of children, Art Machine Inc. devotes a large portion of their store to art instruction and creation. Parents can bring their children in for a hands-on watercolor experience every Saturday during the Samburu exhibit, and those paintings will be displayed alongside the Samburu art.
Kids have something to say through their art and the people of Art Machine want to bring that out, according to Gibeau.
"Children have such an honest way of expressing themselves through art, and this is just teaching them to use the materials," she said.
The paintings on display have been brought to Northern Kentucky by the Ol Malo Trust, a charity formed by the Francombe family of Northern Kenya to provide medical, educational and community support to the Samburu tribe. When drought ravaged the Samburu land in 1998, Julia Francombe decided to put her art background to work for the many women and children of the tribe who were suffering from lack of food, clean water and adequate shelter. She gave the children art supplies and a few painting tips and now the money brought in from their efforts has helped them survive and thrive.
Ruth Hunt Wood, an artist and member of the Ol Malo Trust, says the palate used in the Samburu children's paintings shows their hope and optimism despite living through years of hardship.
"Theirs is a brown country, brown houses, brown land, brown trees and animals," she said. "And you look at their paintings and there is not a brown one among them. Everything is done in these bright, vibrant colors," she said.
Director Jennifer Baldwin said the display gives the staff an opportunity to talk to children from this area about other cultures. They will soon feature works made by children in the Cancer Family Care Center.
No matter where the art comes from, say Gibeau, it will bring people of different backgrounds and life experiences together.
If you go...
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Art of the Samburu: A portrayal of life in the bush through the paintings of the Samburu children of Northern Kenya.
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Open Through Friday, Nov. 14
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Crestview Hills Mall
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Gallery Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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For information call Jennifer Baldwin at 750-9226 or 341-0639.
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All purchases made are tax deductible.