Local students to travel to Guatemala

Come this summer, Bloomington students will be making their mark on one Guatemalan town, literally.\nTwelve students from Bloomington elementary, middle and high schools are planning on traveling this June to San Juan la Laguna, Guatemala, to paint murals with locals. The group, Art Across the Americas, was founded by Gracia Valliant and Sarah Irvine after they had traveled to a small Mayan community in Guatemala, Valliant said. \nValliant and Irvine were impressed by the Mayan community and their artistic murals. Both thought it would be a great idea to have Bloomington students travel to the small Mayan town and learn from the Mayan locals. A couple of years later, Valliant and Irvine are finally making their vision into a reality. The women selected 12 students from various age groups to make the trip. \nThirteen-year-old Jackson Creek Middle School student Mariza Grudman became involved in the program after Valliant approached her about it.\n“It’s (an) amazing opportunity,” Grudman said. “We can learn a lot from (the people in Guatemala).”\nGrudman said all of the students have been involved throughout the entire process of the trip. The students have been learning the customs of the Mayan culture as well as researching Guatemala, Grudman said.\nJamil Moore, a 12-year-old student at Templeton Elementary School, is also going on the Art Across the Americas trip. He said he heard of some conflicts going on in Guatemala, but is not scared.\n“I’m excited about going to another country and learning about culture,” Moore said.\nValliant said while on the trip, the children will paint murals with local artists and learn about Mayan culture by participating in their traditions, such as fishing.\n“(I want the students to) come away with a very rich culture,” Valliant said, “and understand the difference between a developed and developing country.”\nWhile on the trip, students will keep a digital diary of their experiences, Valliant said. There will also be a welcome reception where students will share their experiences with all of the people who have contributed money to the trip.\nValliant said the group plans on bringing students from San Juan la Laguna to Bloomington in June 2009. Currently, 12 Bloomington students and five chaperones are scheduled to go on the trip, said Dena El Saffar, Moore’s mother. El Saffar was planning on going on the trip as a chaperone, but has recently volunteered not to because of the group’s lack of funds.\nThe group has raised about $12,000 so far by having all the participants contact local businesses and friends to donate money, Valliant said. Still, the group must raise an additional $5,000 to $7,000 in order to go on the trip, Valliant said. She said the money does not include how much it will cost to bring students from Guatemala to Bloomington. Donations for the group can be made through the Bloomington Area Arts Council, which is serving as the group’s fiscal agent.