This is an exciting time; art work is arriving in classrooms all over the world. There is so much enthusiasm, joy and sharing going on; we are thrilled with the success of the program this year!
One of our partner teachers shared her thoughts on the ArtLink experience beautifully, “I have NEVER had a class be as excited as this group, at looking at their partners’ artwork. Their eyes were so big, and some of the comments were really insightful! I really feel like bursting over the importance of this program. I am so very THANKFUL for the opportunity to be a part of something so meaningful for children.”
This is just one example of the exciting art work being exchanged this year. This piece is entitled, “Peacock Dancing” bySurani from Sri Lanka
The young artist describes her work, “The Pavo dancers are wearing peacock dresses. They are doing a traditional ceremony that we hold in July. This is our important traditional act. Peacocks are the most valuable bird.”
The peacock is native to Sri Lanka and is important to their culture. The peacock dance, known asMayura Natuma, has been performed for over two thousand years in Sri Lanka and involves intricate hand gestures to express the movements of the peacock and to tell a story. According to mythologySkanda, the Hindu God of Katharagama rides the peacock like a horse as he goes about blessing the people.