Local retired teacher, Sharon Allen, is traveling to Rusinga Island at the end of May with Project Humanity as part of their educational outreach, which also is focusing on creating school libraries. She is looking for help from the Los Alamos community to collect lightly used and new art supplies for these artists. Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

COMMUNITY News:

Project Humanity launched a new initiative Nov. 14, 2016 on Rusinga Island, Kenya – Rusinga Island Artists’ Guild. Rusinga Island is in Lake Victoria, Kenya, an area hard hit by AIDS. 

Christopher Gomzy, Project Humanity’s artist in residence and founder of the guild, hopes to empower local youth and adults gifted in the arts to express themselves through their traditions of art, music, and drama, thereby embracing and preserving their unique culture. He hopes to create a dynamic artistic outreach in the community for local artisans who otherwise have no outlet or space to share their dreams and hone their talents.

At present there are eight young members of the guild who hope to begin telling the story of Rusinga Island through artistic expression in art, music and drama. Basic art supplies, which cannot be obtained in the country are needed to support and encourage these young artists.

Local retired teacher, Sharon Allen, is traveling to Rusinga Island at the end of May with Project Humanity as part of their educational outreach, which also is focusing on creating school libraries. She is looking for help from the Los Alamos community to collect lightly used and new art supplies for these artists, which she will hand carry to Kenya and present them personally to the young artists when they share their talents with the volunteer group.

How can you help? Allen’s suitcase is down at Village Arts on DP Road and the goal is to have it filled with art supplies by Monday, May 22. Space is tight and needs are specific, so Village Arts has a list of items needed, including sketch pads, watercolor pads, colored pencil sets, rulers, pallets, and white and black tubes of acrylics. Consider dropping by and purchasing art supplies from Village Arts at a discounted rate.  Monetary donations also will be accepted as the suitcase fills up.