The Great Wall of Jacmel, Haiti: Post #1 Jacmel, Haiti 2012

There is a special wall in Jacmel, Haiti.  It was built by the children from the Art Creation Foundation for Children.

Shortly after the 2010 earthquake, Laurel True contacted Judy Hoffman with the wish to create a mosaic art project with the children of the Art Creation Foundation for Children that would be a lasting memorial to those lost and also a celebration of what the future could be.  Laurel, a well-known mosaic artist, suggested a wall installation.  Permission was obtained from the then-Mayor and now Senator Edo Zenny to cover a section of a cement wall facing the ocean.  Laurel raised funds through Kickstarter, and with Erin Rogers working as her assistant, brought bags of mosaic tile to Jacmel and taught the kids what to do.  The designs were created as a collaborative effort by the children.

The initial design was a Tree of Life.

The kids sketched designs on the actual cement with chalk.

All were amazed at how quickly they absorbed the techniques and put them into action.

Within days the tiles were cemented in place and grouted.

Shells were interspersed with the tiles so that people could insert messages and candle

 

Here is Judy’s photo of the inaugural memorial ceremony.

The Tree of Life was followed by La Sirene on a section of the wall directly facing the sea.

After Laurel departed, many more tiles were donated and the children continued creating wonderful images.

A garden,

Sea creatures,

Animals,

Carnival figures,

And musical instruments.

 

 

A cement bench was covered with tiles and instantly became a gathering place.

This summer work has begun on the unfinished section facing the ocean

The entire town celebrates this work and the wall has become a place of great pride.  I love its fanciful nature – childlike, beautifully executed.