Paint murals with 300 Syrian Refugee children

During June and July 2018 Artolution led 4 projects in Lebanon that involved large-scale murals, theatrical performance, dance performance, costume design and the creation of percussive sculptures made from trash and found objects. The projects took place at a community center in Akkar near the border of Syria, two schools in Tripoli and in a educational center in the Ouzai slum community of Beirut. Over 200 children and teenagers participated. In Lebanon, Artolution developed the opportunity to improve the livelihoods of local artists through the development of sustainable programs.

In August and September, Artolution implemented an intensive 2-week project at a boys school in Zarqa, Jordan that engaged 60 students. The project featured a theatrical performance, a large-scale mural, and a mobile percussive sculpture. The objective was to foster social inclusion, reduce stigma, and provide psychosocial support to refugee and local youth. Zarqa is another community where local and refugee youth are separated by the times which they attend school.

Artolution engaged with local Jordanian and Syrian refugee artists to build positive relationships between refugees and local communities. Through the creation of murals, performance, and the recycled sculpture known as the “Foundstrument Soundstrument”, local youth, local, and international artists explored a variety of educational and social topics through storytelling. Storytelling enabled the youth to shape their own narratives and identities, and explore their life experiences and the social change they hope for in their communities. One critical topic that came out of the discussions was the bullying that plagued the relationships between the two groups of youth. The artists brought the boys together to promote social cohesion and explore this issue through the visual and performative art-making.

Thank You For Helping Us Transform Lives Through Public Art!

Links:

• Giving Tuesday: November 27, 2018