Recently, I began an art workshop with several teens that I work with at The Learning Center, a tutoring program to inspire and guide Sudanese children and teens here in San Diego. The purpose of the workshop was to produce some pieces for our upcoming art show, SHARING SUDAN. I had no idea what these kids were going to produce, but within half an hour I could see that I was in the prescence of some gifted artists, most who had never picked up a paint brush. As the images emerged, I saw the sense of pleasure and purpose in their faces. It was then I began to see that perhaps this was a calling for me, giving these young men a place to go on a Saturday morning, where they could simply create and leave their troubles outside the door.

This page is dedicated to those young men who have made my Saturdays richer.

In preperation for the SHARING SUDAN show, I also invited our guest speaker, author Benson Deng to the group after hearing that he was also a talented artist. He honored us with a visit during out second Saturday, and proceeded to create two beautiful pieces, which were displayed and sold at the show. He promises a few more pieces in the future, but his schedule has kept him tied up, so we simply wait and hope for more!

NOTE:I do NOT teach them to paint, or tell them what to paint, and I only give advice if asked. I believe in the beauty and value of self taught art, and the primitive nature of the genre. I rejoice in the unique character of each man's work.