Special Project

We have a very special project in process with Miguel Angel Ramirez. The children of El Salvador and of Vancouver Island, on the West Coast of Canada are participating in the creation of a Canadian West Coast Children's Art Exhibition...

International artist, Miguel Angel Ramirez and Carolyn Robinson, co-owner of The Laughing Pelican, have co-created an exciting venture in El Salvador that provides opportunities to West Coast and El Salvadorian children.

The children of El Salvador will have an opportunity to see beyond their own towns and villages and into the lives of children living on Vancouver Island, through the marvellous vehicle of art.

With Miguel's assistance, we have asked the children on Vancouver Island to paint a picture of their home and explain what the picture means to them.
Thirty of these paintings will be taken to El Salvador for an International Children's Art Exhibition in San Salvador. This endeavour is supported by the El Salvadorian Government, the American Embassy and the Canadian Embassy. It is also possible that children from Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Belize may participate.

Miguel wants his young students to know there is a much bigger world outside Panchimalco and El Salvador. The Canadian Children's Art Exposition, is a vehicle that can accomplish this.
  Read more about Miguel, the artist, here...

On Vancouver Island, the idea has caught on fire.;Local schools will submit over 100 paintings while local art galleries are committed to showing the art at 2 or 3 locations. From this exhibition, 30 paintings will be chosen for the El Salvador Children's Exhibition.

Funding Sources

We are researching funding sources to take some of our young Canadian artists to El Salvador for one week; to attend the Art Exposition, paint with the local children; and to participate in a workshop with Miguel. At least one of these children will come from a local program called Rough Diamonds, which is an art therapy program for challenged children on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

The return opportunities are still to be developed. Miguel has expressed an interest in coming to Western Canada as he would like to offer a workshop to artists of all ages. He genuinely enjoys meeting children who have a passion for painting.

We have also discussed the benefits and opportunities of bringing some of Miguel's students to Vancouver Island, to experience the Western side of Canada and to interact with local children and artists here on our Island.

Donations

Donations are welcome and can be made in many ways. Donating clean, even gently-used t-shirts, paint supplies, brushes or mostly-picture art books for the students, would be a wonderful contribution.

Monetary donations for either the Children's Art Exposition, or Miguel's privately funded art school can be accepted onsite by Miguel, or forwarded to Miguel by staff at the Laughing Pelican.

 Please tell me how to make a donation to the Special Project...

The Laughing Pelican's Commitment

For every tour visiting Panchimalco and Miguel's studio, a donation of $10.00 will be made to Migueli's Art School. This money will be used to fund the purchase of canvas and paint and also to develop the children's exchange programs between countries of the world.

By encouraging children to travel to, and from, El Salvador to paint together and interact with local families, we can all broaden our network of friends, expand our vision, and inspire young children to reach beyond their personal borders to a much bigger and welcoming world.