|
DocuSign Envelope ID:7FB82F39-7614-4970-85EE-75887FBF57E6
<br /> KARENMoe Shae Htoo,
<br /> GONTiNUED FROM PAGE 1A { who has been
<br /> conceived, grew out of a ▪ working with
<br /> meeting between activists • FRANK gallery
<br /> Fran Hamer and Nerys Levy �' photographer
<br /> Hamer has been involved Barbara Tyrol-
<br /> with the local Karen popula er has several
<br /> in
<br /> tion for several years,working ��. �-�°` ��,_ � r �:; photographs
<br /> to get books for the refugee l the exhibit.
<br /> immigrants and to found a
<br /> school where the children
<br /> could learn their native Ian- See more art
<br /> ae
<br /> "Some of the kids were Want to see more artwork by residents from Burma?Visit
<br /> pretty good at drawing," The Art Therapy Institute,2^'floor.of Carr Mill Mall,at 6 p.m.
<br /> Hamer said."That is when I Friday for the opening celebration of the 5th Annual Journeys
<br /> decided they needed to have to a Different Landscape"art show featuring art and stories
<br /> some venue in order to ex- created by refugees in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools,
<br /> press themselves besides
<br /> school."Having just metLe- tropical place where they these kids are all trying to
<br /> vy,who organizes the annual feel comfortable.We are also find their place in our Chapel
<br /> Orange County Community trying to incorporate the Hill/Carrboro culture."
<br /> Dinner,Hamer got the chit- new with the old.The stu Chapel Hill High School
<br /> drew involved in the dinner. dents showed at
<br /> FRANK in art teacher Rollie Taylor has
<br /> When Levy learned of the March in a show "Connect- been working with Kchdoh-
<br /> youth's artistic talents she ing the Old with the New." moo Juelah and Paw Paw
<br /> suggested they visit FRANK This show is an extension of Wei for three years in school
<br /> gallery on Franklin Street. that show." helping,them hone their
<br /> "When the students Levy, like Jameson, has a skills in ceramics.
<br /> they ng to "They understand the
<br /> walked in,the could not be- decades-lo connection
<br /> lieve a place could look like the Karen people having properties and possibilities
<br /> that," Hamer said. "They done her PhD at London of clay.They love it and get
<br /> were astounded.It was beau- University in Modern South its responsiveness," Taylor
<br /> tiful. They had a ball there Asian History. said, "Their hands seem to
<br /> too." "In spite of what these kids know it."Taylor has learned
<br /> An idea was born to forma have gone through,they are the ways of the Karens'
<br /> group for the Karen youth to so positive and warm," she homeland;and how the refu-'
<br /> create art with FRANK,art- said,And,she stresses,very gee camps looked."I've seen
<br /> ists, and lives began to talented artists.Some of the a recurring image of Kwe Ka
<br /> change.Weekly meetings be- striking paintings in the Bating,an important moon
<br /> gan taking place either at the show are,their first or se- taro in the Karen state of
<br /> gallery or at Transplanting cond. "They are so excited Burma. This mountain is a
<br /> Traditions Farm on Jones about challenging them- part of their identity."
<br /> Ferry Road where many,Ka- selves with new possibilities Others involved in this
<br /> rens have gardens, Most of in this country. I am very project include Sandy Mil
<br /> the youth,ages,15-23,in the' moved by their reactions.It roy,Mary Stone Lamb,Kip.
<br /> group lived in Thailand refit- is a privilege to work with Gerard, Barnett Parker,Da
<br /> gee camps after escaping co- them.We have learned a lot vid Taylor, Shelley Crisp,
<br /> mica repression in Myan from them." Townsend Ludington, and
<br /> mar (Burma).Hamer trans- Moe Shae Htoo, who has Ada Farber. Other students
<br /> ports the youth to and from been working with FRANK with.work in the show in
<br /> the weekly meetings and has photographer Barbara Tyrol- clude Slaw Law, Ywa BLit,
<br /> joined in the fun of making .er,has several photographs Lah Htoo.Boh, Paw Boh,
<br /> art with them.A few of her in the exhibit."It is wonder- Hen Moot and Lweh Moo.
<br /> paintings are in the exhibit ful seeing Moe jumping all Jameson does not want
<br /> and have samples of writing over the place,getting up this project,which was sup-
<br /> in the Karen language at- high, going down low, and ported by a grant from the
<br /> tacked to them.' doing creative composition Orange County Arts Corn-
<br /> Making art is an integral and design," said Tyroler. mission, to end, "I hope we
<br /> facet of the weekly meetings "He soaked up everything I will continue to find funding
<br /> but food(rice and curry pre- told him and more.The kids for this so we can not only
<br /> pared.by Levy) and friend- really loved having him do continue,but also expand its
<br /> ship share the stage. the documentation rather scope to include more kids in
<br /> "We are on first name than me," need of finding'a connection
<br /> terms and have a family at- Tyroler,who along with to their creative being."
<br /> mosphere," said Levy, a Levy is in charge of
<br /> FRANK member artist."We _FRANK's community out- Contact Deborah H.Meyer at
<br /> try to make everybody feel reach and education, has writetoeloise@gmail.com
<br /> comfortable through food worked over the years with
<br /> and art.The students are al- many community residents.
<br /> ways painting their home- "I think that what is unique
<br /> land - a real or imagined about this situation is that
<br />
|