I am very excited to announce that Southdale will be partnering with the UNI student organization "Art for El Salvador" and holding a fundraiser at Southdale Tuesday May 7th. Art for El Salvador started with Maria Howard and her sisters who visited El Salvador several years ago and were impacted greatly by the poverty stricken lives they saw. They wanted to help, they started to make artwork, among many other handmade things to sell at their local farmers marker in Dallas Center, Iowa.
They are currently working on raising enough money to build a school in El Salvador, a project that came from the love they had for this country, and their sister Sarah, who passed away in a car accident 2 years ago. They decided when they raise enough money, and the school is built they will call the school "Sarah's School". They moved their art sales and fundraisers to UNI when both sisters Maria and Niah started there this fall. So far they, along with other people who are drawn to this story, and are now members of the organization, have raised $8,000 to go toward the school.
When I heard about their efforts from Denise Tallakson (one of their teachers, and Mr. Tallakson's lovely wife) I was too taken with the story, and knew that our Southdale students would be too. It is amazing how this group has created art work to raise money, making art is something everyone can do, whether you think you are an artist or not. Many members of this organization arent artists, but they know making things, and selling them can help Maria and Niah soon reach their goal.
3rd through 6th grade students at Southdale will have the oppurtunity to create artwork that will be for sale at Southdale's fundraiser Tuesday May 7th, 5:00-7:00 pm. If you have questions or comments please email me. I will keep events posted on the blog to update everyone on our efforts here at Southdale. We are so happy to help, and be a part of "Art for El Salvador".
Maria, Emily and Jamie were able to come present to 6th graders this morning, here are a few photos.