A Global Painting Party with visiting Haitian and Chinese Delegations, 11/13 was an incredible event!

That moment when I introduced our visiting Chinese delegation to our visiting Haitian delegation, I knew my efforts in Citizen Diplomacy were worth it! This is what it is all about folks! I am honored our guests traveled across the globe to meet with us here at Oak Hall School and Gainesville. In their honor, we threw a "Global Painting Party"! No need to speak each others language... We used the universal language of art and music to communicate with each other! It was a artistically, diplomatic great time! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFEXaE820jI

That night, the fun continued: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFEXaE820jI

Qalqilya Concert:

While in Qalqilya, Palestine, we held a concert featuring Luminaries, the X-Games Team and PONZ Drawing Live. I honestly can't describe the high energy vibe that ruled that night. I can say that this moment, when the X-Games team kids embraced us on stage, the positive energy was felt by all! My paints were in my lost luggage but a white board and some markers served well. That night in Qalqilya we created real art together. It is a moment and evening that I never will forget. Art truly is the universal language!

Sister Cities Blues Jam at Satchel's Lightning Salvage, Gainesville:

Sister Cities Blues Jam in honor of our guest delegates from Kfar Saba, Israel and Qalqilya, Palestine at Satchel's Lightning Salvage, 4/13.

I am so proud of Gainesville! The "Sister Cities Blues Jam" was an amazing success last night! Oak Hall Blues Rebellion and Jason Stahl jammed triumphantly with Blues legend Willie Green and were joined by the R. Mutt Blues band as well as by Jason Hedges and Bobby McGregor.

ART EXCHANGE PROJECTS:

My students and I have been lucky enough to communicate with people around the world using art as a universal language. Our list of art exchange projects includes Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, China, South Korea, Israel, Palestine, Haiti and Andros Island the Bahamas. We've even been visited by our counterpart teachers from Andros Island and Kyrgyzstan! In each case, it proved most enriching and valuable to our communities. ( Hey, India! I've got my eye on you! Call me... ) it is clear from my perspective that iInternational art outreach can enrich us all!