Thank you to everyone who funded the project and helped make it happen!!! Take a look at photos from the trip
here
https://picasaweb.google.com/104286268405224406...
OUR STORY
My name is Jamie
Janett Graden, and I'm a facepainter and artist in Los Angeles.
Over the last 4 years
my goal has been to paint the world, one face at a time with my company Paint
On Your Face. Now it's time to include a community in the country of
Kyrgyzstan over 7,000 miles away
In Kyryzstan Ill be contributing to the
community in two ways...facepainting and mural painting.
Talas is a
small rural village with some very artistic kids who want an outlet. Every
year, their school, (which is over 80 years old) is repainted different colors.
They take great pride in the beauty of their village, and something to depict
that in a fresh and artistic way would intensify their sense of culture. The mural
and facepainting will be a celebratory gesture to further their sense of
village pride.
ABOUT
KYRGYZSTAN
Kyrgyzstan is the second poorest country in the
former Soviet Union, and the second poorest country in Central Asia. It's
unlike America in that access to art activites, face painting, performing arts
programs, and art clubs are not widely available for kids to enjoy like here in
America. The country itself is "landlocked" between mountain ranges,
and is located in Central Asia bordering Kazakhstan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Its also farthest away from the
ocean than any other country in the world.
Why not go to
New York, London, or Paris, instead? The places artists usually go? Because young adults in Kyrgyzstan
want more exposure art exposure and activities. Also, they have never been
facepainted with really awesome artwork. There are plenty of artists in
the largest cities in the world, but not many who are traveling to places that
really need and want it.
THE PROJECT
When:
My adventure will take place between
August 8th-18th of this year. Its a little over a month away, but Im confident that I
can gain financial support for this amazing project within that short amount of
time.
How:
With help from people like you!
Your donations help pay for my $1600 plane ticket to Kyrgyzstan. If we exceed the $1600
mark, the rest of the funds will go towards materials such as facepaint,
acrylic paints, brushes, sponges, towels, etc. With many donations, we may be
able to pay for more materials for continuing art classes for the kids year round.
I'll be staying with my friend David
Malana, who is a member of the Peace Corps. He has been in Talas, KZ for one
year and has lesarned to speak Kyrg and Russian. David teaches English,
photography and dance in the village and has organized for me to come and paint
the mural with his students, as well as have me perform facepainting with them.
The
Impact
One thing about
Kyrgyzstan is that it's on the edge of something new. After the revolution last
year, a democracy has developed there and is trying to grow. The internet has a
presence that is only getting bigger, and technology has found ways to embed
itself into the natural life of villages. Cultural movements have the platform
to start here. Its not a far fetched fact that someone could see the growth in
art through this project, sparking a fire for artistic freedom and exploration
in Kyrgyzstan.
Donations
I'm keeping my goal to
a minimum of $1600 to cover the cost of my flight to Kyrgyzstan. If we happen
to exceed that amount, the rest of the money will be going towards materials
such as facepaints, acrylic paint, brushes, towels, water tubes, and masking
tape which will otherwise be paid by me.
In the event that we
raise much
more than $1600, the remaining amount will go towards materials for the kids
art classes year round. This would be an amazing breakthrough for the young
people in Talas.
Gifts for
Sponsors!!
Donations of $50 or more-
Receive an original 4x6 piece of art created and signed by me in
September after I return from Kyrgyzstan.
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Donations of $75 or more-
Youll get the artwork AND a $25 gift card for my facepainting
services to use or transfer to another friend or family member in the Los Angeles area.
ALL sponsors will be kept in the loop with photos, video footage, and receive
personal shout-outs on my Facebook page!
I'll hopefully be collecting artwork
made by Kyrg kids and teens to send out to supporters as well.
Other
Ways You Can Help
Please share this page
on Facebook, and Twitter. Add the Facebook event page. Follow the Blog. Email
your contacts and community of friends, encouraging them to donate and share.
Place a link on your website that goes back to this page. Even if you cannot
personally donate, spreading the word can be just as impactful!
