Art
Connecting Worlds Through Creativity
“My mission is to connect worlds. I do this in many ways, through face-to-face volunteer and group work, through my photography, and through my writing.” Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish. Click here. Editor’s Note: Marvin is a multi-talented young manhttp://connecting-worlds-through-creativity-spanish who has high aspirations. His idyllic childhood grounded him and constantly reminds him of what life can be. He yearns for.....
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Connecting Worlds Through Creativity - in Spanish
Conectando mundos a través de la creatividad Translation by Santiago Sanchez “Mi misión es conectar mundos. Hago esto de muchas maneras, a través del voluntariado cara a cara y el trabajo grupal, a través de mi fotografía y a través de mi escritura”. Nota del editor: Marvin es un joven con múltiples talentos que tiene grandes aspiraciones. Su idílica infancia le hizo poner los pies en la tierra y le.....
Connecting Worlds Through Creativity - the January 1st upcoming story
This creative person captures nature through the aperture of his camera's lens.
Respite in a Garden
We are NOT in El Salvador as tourists; therefore, sightseeing is never part of our itinerary. But my curiosity was piqued when a Salvadoran friend sent a photo of his family and him with a stand of huge bamboo trees as a backdrop; I was intrigued. “Could you take us there to see this place on our next trip?” I asked him. “No problem; I’d be happy to take you,”.....
Integrating those with Challenges
It is not uncommon to see individuals in wheelchairs out on busy highways in major traffic in San Salvador. Why? Curb cuts are few and far between, and it’s simply easier (but oh so dangerous) for those in wheelchairs to navigate the level streets. In the busier metropolitan areas of multi-lane traffic, the “bridge-like” structures over the highways for pedestrians to cross safely simply do not accommodate physically challenged persons......
Fatima de Solis
“ If there is a problem and I think of a solution, it is not uncommon for me to get up in the middle of the night to handle it. “ Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: To fully understand Fatima’s story it will be helpful to first read the story of Eileen Batres Giron as background. https://www.embracingelsalvador.org/eileen-batres-giron Eileen,.....
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Fatima de Solis - Spanish
Spanish translation provided by Profesor Espanol Tony Bianchi "Si hay un problema y pienso en una solución, no es raro que me levante en medio de la noche para solucionarlo".Nota del editor: Para comprender completamente la historia de Fátima, será útil leer primero la historia de Eileen Batres Girón como fondo.https://www.embracingelsalvador.org/eileen-batres-giron Eileen, una talentosa artista por derecho propio, confinada a una silla de ruedas como resultado de la polio infantil,.....
Cottage Industries of El Salvador
“But damn it! They’re taking my work away from me! And no matter what they say, they’re invaders. They’re not from here! They’re itty bitty things made of plaster, baked and finished with enamel. They bring them by boat, so they probably turn pale from being seasick.” These are the words of an artisan, whose hand-crafted wooden sculptures were being replaced by cheaper, inferior, foreign replicas. (from Oscar Romero -.....
Claudia Vega
“I see myself as a Pipil indigenous person and try to carry on those traditions through weaving.” Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here Editor’s Note: To rewind the tape over 80 years, let’s recall a gruesome part of El Salvador’s history referred to as matanza (killing.) In a nutshell, the Spanish landowners who were busy expanding their estates and cash crops.....
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Claudia Vega - Spanish
Translation by Profesora Espanol Jeanette Fogarty <<Me veo como una indígena pipil y trato de continuar esas tradiciones a través del tejido.>> Una nota del editor: Para rebobinar la cinta más de 80 años, recordemos una parte espantosa de la historia de El Salvador llamada matanza. En pocas palabras, los terratenientes españoles que estaban ocupados expandiendo sus fincas y cultivos comerciales de índigo a café y cacao habían explotado y.....
Unanticipated Delight
Driving past the simple facade of this art studio along the main street of Panchimalco, one would never guess what treasures lie behind its doors. The owner and genius behind this amazing oasis for creativity leads us on a personal tour. [caption id="attachment_5138" align="alignleft" width="480"] Even Miguel’s desk is a piece of art[/caption] In short, his focus is to provide an inspirational space for community youth interested in expressing.....
Miguel Angel Ramirez
“I want the kids here to express their ideas creatively and not think of themselves as being part of a third world country.” Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: This is our second visit to Miguel’s enchanting art gallery/studio. Last year we stumbled across it by accident and did a self-tour. We left unsatiated, needing to hear.....
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Miguel Angel Ramirez - Spanish
MIGUEL ÁNGEL RAMÍREZ Translated by Juan F. Escobar “Quisiera que aquí los niños expresaran sus ideas de forma creativa y que no se vieran a sí mismos como parte de un país del tercer mundo.” Nota del editor: Esta es nuestra segunda visita a la encantadora galería/estudio de arte de Miguel. El año pasado nos encontramos con ella por accidente e hicimos un autorrecorrido. Nos fuimos insatisfechos, pues necesitábamos escuchar.....
Julio Hernandez Aleman
“Almost all my work [art] is focused on Mayan culture and preserving our history and ancestry.” Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: On the wall of my study is a photo of a painting. Its theme is a flower vendor and her family working. The woman in the center is playing with the fingers of the naked baby.....
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Julio Hernandez Aleman Spanish version
JULIO HERNANDEZ ALEMAN Translated by Claudia Aguirre "Casi todo mi trabajo [el arte] se centra en la cultura maya y en preservar nuestra historia y ascendencia". Nota del Editor: En la pared de mi estudio hay una foto de una pintura cuyo tema es un vendedor de flores y su familia trabajando. La mujer en el centro está jugando con los dedos del bebé desnudo que sostiene, mientras que.....
Guillermo Cuellar
Story of Guillermo Joaquin Cuellar Barandiaran “When reviewing all the country’s history as a social science over the last 500 years, it has been full of lies. That is a big disappointment to me.” Editor’s Note: Even though we’ve heard him in concert many times and he immediately agreed to participate in our project several years ago, it is not easy trying to track down Guillermo for an.....
Eileen Batres Giron
Eileen Batres Giron en español “I get upset when religious people see the disability is like a pain. I see it as a condition. I never saw it as a burden. It is a lack of accessibility; lack of consciousness.” Editor’s Note: For anyone living in an impoverished country, finding gainful employment to support oneself is a challenge. If that person happens to have a disability, the challenges.....
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Eileen Batres Giron - Spanish
[caption id="attachment_2072" align="aligncenter" width="336"] Eileen Batres Giron[/caption] “Me enfado cuando la gente religiosa ve la incapacidad como un dolor. Yo la veo como una condición. Nunca la vi como una carga. Es una falta de accesibilidad; una falta de conocimiento.” Nota del editor: Para alguien quien vive en un país empobrecido,encontrar empleo ganancioso es un desafío. Si por casualidad esa persona tiene una inhabilidad, los.....
Fernando Llort
"My Art is from God” Fernando Llort en español Editor’s Note: These were the first words this celebrated Salvadoran artist, Fernando Llort, spoke to us catching us quite by surprise. We were blessed with the opportunity to spend the morning welcomed into the home of this renowned artist and mentor whose prestigious work is recognized and exhibited worldwide. His original style is instantly recognizable with its unique, eye-catching quality of.....
Fernando Llort - Spanish
Un Cuento de Fernando Llort Mi arte viene de Dios Una anotación del editor: Estas eran las primeras palabras que este artista salvadoreño y célebre, Fernando Llort, nos habló y nos sorprendió. Estábamos benditos con la oportunidad de pasar una mañana en casa del artista y mentor renombrado cuyas obras prestigiosas están reconocidas y exhibidas por todo el mundo. Se reconoce su estilo original instantáneamente por su calidad única.....
Focus on Art
Ruben Martinez's Procer Jose Simeon Canas Carlos Canas’ painting entitled Sumpul was on my “must see” list before arriving in San Salvador this trip. The title caught my attention because it is based on the May 14, 1980, Sumpul River Massacre during the nation’s civil war which I am very familiar with having read much about it in books such as Yvonne Dilling’s In Search of Refuge. Also we planned.....
Collage of Murals
From the MUNA Museum in San Salvador Attached you will discover twenty mural photos that captured our attention while visiting El Salvador. The themes vary: some depict wildlife typical of the area – tropical birds and fish; many illustrate valued community themes such as worship, education, work, and relaxation; at least one reminds the viewers of a serious time in history. Murals can be interior or exterior. .....
Artist's Wall
An amazing young man who agreed to chauffeur and translate for us all week while we conducted interviews is as talented as any person I’ve ever met. When his church had no musician to play for services, this accomplished gentlemen named Christian volunteered. Never mind that he had no experience whatsoever playing piano; he taught himself to play. Currently he has been commissioned in a project to choose and transpose.....
Hand "Wrought" Iron - Treasure it
HAND “WROUGHT” IRON – TREASURE AND APPRECIATE IT It was when riding through the cobblestoned streets of the enchanting colonial city of Suchitoto in Cuscatlan that I first became interested in Salvadoran wrought iron. Our delegation leader pointed out some of the original handmade wrought iron still encasing the windows. In fact this city was reknown for its intricately designed specimens. She made the statement, “There used to be.....