Youthful, artful summer

For the third year in a row, the Looban Projects--the unregistered, independent and no political affiliation WHATSOEVER (just had to emphasize on that) youth org that I belong to--held its annual Summer Art Workshop at the Barangay Bambang Hall. A four-session affair, the Summer Art Workshop (SAW) happened on April 20-21 and 27-28. 

Our 2013 classes included Creative Writing, Drawing, Guitar and Silk Screen Printing (more of practical than artsy). New additional class is Painting. 

SAW pretty much explains itself just from the name. A summer art workshop which we organize for kids (grade schoolers) and teenagers (high schoolers). Our mission is bring the youth even just a little closer to art so that they get to understand it at a young age and appreciate it as they grow older. And, if I may higher my expectations a bit, I really also hope that we can even influence them to pursue a creative career in the future. :D

Pretty painters. Sophia (topleft) with her mermaid, and Patricia (bottom right) with her fairy and behind her is their mentor Kuya Dodi

Scenes from the drawing and painting lessons by Kuya Dodi. Student Al Pacey (right) poses with his Naruto drawing

And practically of course, the workshop also serves as venue where the youth can spend a few days of their summer meaningfully--with us! 

Us! Well, our roster of mentors and teachers are a mix of professionals and self-taught people who are terribly passionate with what they do. Promise! Haha! We have on our sleeves a professional graphic and comic artist; guitar teachers who have played guitar since they were young; and a silk screen mentor who will also become an artist himself in the future. 

Serious talk with my little girl, Hazel, plus the mini library

Guitar heroes. Mentors with their students. 

I personally teach Creative Writing with News Writing on the side line since I am a journalist myself already. As to being a literary writer, not professionally but I do dabble on short stories and essays when I can. So I believe I can actually teach writing to my students. Take note, I always have the least number of students but I don't mind. I'm just happy to teach young people to read and write, and write and read. And that's too much on me. 

Scenes and participants of the T-Shirt printing lessons

Well, as one of the groups mentors, I must admit that of all the three SAWs, this one had the least preparation from all of us. So I was very surprised to actually see that the turnout of students this year was even better than the past two SAWs. More so, we even had students all the way from Upper Bicutan!

Mga pasimuno. Looban Projects members  :D

Let's just say that Facebook this day actually works when it comes to promotion and information dissemination. 

And though we cap our SAW 3 successfully, I still believe that we can do way better next year. I hope our group level up efforts and think of new ideas, like a recital in the end of the session perhaps? ;) 

'Til for another artful, youthful summer next year!

With my student/apprentice turned assistant teacher , Enki ♥

The mentors (in black) plus asungot (in blue). From left: Ayban, Paul, me and Kuya Dodi