Mosaics Everywhere: Post #4, Jacmel, Haiti 2013

The Art Creation Foundation for Children began to work in mosaics after the 2010 earthquake when Laurel True arrived from Global Mosaic Projects to work with the group.  Together they created the Tree of Life as a memorial to lives lost and to hopes for the future.  Here is a link to last year’s post.

The wall was a great success and immediately became a source of great pride and a gathering place in the city of Jacmel.  And the children loved making the mosaics.  Over the past year, panel by panel, they completed the wall along Congo Plage (beach).

A grant from ARCADES propelled their abilities to a new level.  Under this grant, wonderful walls and benches have been created all over the city.

Bruno, as head of the design team (here is last year’s blog about Bruno) created a mosaic version of the image of Catherine Flon, La Belle Kreyol,

 

and another of the flag of Haiti

at a main crossroad:

 

 

 

 

There is a beautiful wall depicting the history of coffee at a building that was once a coffee warehouse:

 

Because of the impact that these beautiful projects had on the various neighborhoods, ACFFC was given commissions by the Tourism Office in Jacmel, and by individuals and businesses as well.

 

 

Here is bench next to the barber shop:

The Khawly family commissioned two walls – one based on transportation at the Texaco station:

And another featuring Jacmel’s famous race car drivers:

Here is a beautiful wall and bench in a neighborhood where some of the ACFFC children live:

On this trip, I ended working with the kids on a large mosaic commission at Raymond Les Bains, a beautiful beach just outside the city.  This work was requested by the Department of Tourism in Jacmel and the Ministry of Tourism of the government of Haiti.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I love most are the whimsical details that the kids have created – their own interpretations of how, in this case, the sea creatures should appear:

 

Some of the funds received through these grants and commissions pay for materials and contribute to keeping ACFFC operating.  But a portion of the funds are deposited in individual bank accounts for the youth 16 and older.  These teens receive a stipend for participation and are learning to manage their money.  Financial literacy is a goal of the foundation.  Each child can give some of his/her money to his/her family, can use some for immediate personal needs, and must save some for the future.  As well, a portion is allocated to families who the youth feel have significant need, whether or not a part of ACFFC.  The younger children, who are beginning to learn skills in mosaics, as in papier mache, are helpers.  Some funds are set aside for their future.

In this way, an ongoing public art project that is so creative, also contributes to personal growth, financial competency, plans and goals for the future for these ACFFC youth, just as it contributes to aesthetics and pride in Jacmel among resident.  Amazing achievement.