Afternoon at the Indian Museum

After wrapping up at the American School, Joel and Gersion headed to the Indian Museum, where Partners outgoing president Tania works. He was shown around by Tania and the director of the museum. They then walked around Brasilia's center and snapped photos at some of the most popular sites. Early the next morning, Joel was off to the airport, sad to leave all his new friends in Brasilia but happy with his rich experience.

Joel learns about the rain stick

No, it's not a space ship-- Joel and Gersion in front of the National Art Museum, where Gersion works.

Joel with the famous statue

The congress and senate buildings

Joel with a mock of the city

The national cathedral

Last day: the American School in Brasilia

On Tuesday, Joel's last day in Brasilia, he and Gersion went with many of the kids from the Centrão School in São Sabastião to the American School in Brasilia, where the student body includes the children of diplomats and others from around the world, including many Brazilians. Both Gersion and Joel gave presentations of their work to the students in an auditorium. Then, they joined their friends in the Kollors Kings graffiti crew and art teacher Zé in leading art projects with the kids, where they taught design, acrylic painting and spray painting. The students created 4 paintings of their own design! It was interesting to see the cooperation between the kids from the low income school and high income school, who usually get the opportunity to interact.

Gersion presents his work to the students

Joel gives his presentation

A big crowd!!

Turko gives a spray paint demonstration to kick off the art workshop

finished product!

The kids work together to come up with the designs for the art panels

The students get to work on one of the panels with Joel's guidance.

working hard!

Zé and Joel with the kids from São Sabastião

finished painting!

and another...

Joel and Gersion with Stephen, the director of the school

Joel, Gersion, Hosana, Turko, Marcio and Tito.

Marcio led this one with the students

Cultural connection: the US and Brazil

The shoe of "peace, unity, love, and having fun"

Community center in Gama

On Monday, Joel and Gersion headed to Gama to go to a local community center directed by Partners member Gilmar Batista dos Santos. Joel was given a tour of the facility and then got to work painting with some local artists and youth. Gilmar happened to be friends with a local fireman, who lifted Joel up high with his firetruck to allow Joel to paint the top of the building. Lots of local kids showed up to watch the painting. Once again, the piece was left incomplete due to a huge thunderstorm that arrived in the afternoon, forcing everyone to take cover inside for the rest of the day.The local artists promised to finish the piece and send the pics to Joel.

Joel gets to work on his "tree woman" to go along with the environmental theme

The firefighters lift Joel up!

up high!

With Gilmar and local graffiti artists in Gama

Rained out!!!

Joel with some of the kids that came by to watch

lots of rain!

Joel and Gersion with the firefighters

Celândia: painting with local graffiti artists

On Sunday morning, Joel headed to Celândia, a large "satellite city" of Brasilia known for its poverty and crime, but also as a strong cultural center of DF, with the best graffiti artists in the region. Joel met up with members of the Kollors Kings, Turko, Mudof and Stupido. They painted an underwater scene with mermaids, though the piece was not fully completed due to the rain (again!)-- the local artists planned to return to finish it and send the pics to Joel. They then showed Joel around Celândia, including dozens of amazing graffiti pieces by them, other local artists, and even national and international artists. At night, Joel headed to a forró show with Gersion and Lidiane.

Joel, Mudof, and Turko get to work on the big wall

Stupido does some lettering work

Joel and Turko chat as they take a break

Some locals stop by to show Joel some graffiti photos

Mudof and Turko

Joel with his mermaid

The whole gang!

One of the Kollors Kings graffiti pieces they showed Joel

At night at the forró show

Rained out in Sobradinho!

Joel met with local graffiti artists in Sobradinho to paint in a local park. The morning started out hot and sunny, but then began to thunderstorm, and rained the rest of the day!

A local artist showed Joel one of his pieces in the park

The painting begins as the rain clouds approach...

Everyone piled into a van to escape the downpour!!

A traveling theatre van.

Elton Skartazini, artist and cultural director in Samambaia, shows his work

Gersion, Zé, and Elton