Embracing Conflict Amplifies Authenticity
Embracing conflict amplifies authenticity. We spent six months developing the I Am Art curriculum and empowering our artists to leverage it in their art forms. Our goal was to empower these children to see themselves as beautiful art of the I AM, filled with purpose in God’s greater story. We know that many of these children […]
What Do You Want To Do?
I remember that meeting at Panera Bread. Scott and I had been trying to connect for about a year at that point but our mutual friend Major insisted that we had to do it this time. Scott sat across from me at that outside table, sunny day, with few patrons walking in and out of […]
Excited, Nervous, But Mostly Excited to Empower Through Creative Arts
Excited, somewhat nervous, but mostly excited to empower through creative arts. That’s how I would describe my pre-trip status. I am constantly reminding myself that I am not in control, constantly thinking “It’s not about me.” I see evidence all of the time that there is a bigger plan in place and I trust in […]
Cross-Cultural Creative Arts
We’re planning a cross-cultural creative arts project for Guatemala and Tennessee. Julia and I are part of the Fall 2014 Athentikos I Am Art Team. We spent several hours the other day with Scott and Amelia collaborating and brainstorming art projects for our I Am Art workshop. I have been a little overwhelmed with the idea of […]
Creativity Takes Courage
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″] I’m heading to Guatemala again next month! It’s hard to blog something new about my experience and our work with at-risk kids in Guatemala because I feel like I “talk” about it all the time! Yes, Guatemala has become part of our lives. What started as a life-changing journey to adopt […]
Reflections on I Am Art
It’s been several months since returning home from my first trip to Guatemala with the Athentikos team, and I can honestly say that it crosses my mind at least once a day. I felt very strongly from the moment I learned about this trip that I couldn’t say no to an opportunity like this; an opportunity […]
Am I a Product of My Decisions or Circumstances?
I recently read a quote that said, “I’m not a product of my circumstances, I am a product of my decisions.” That phrase has been like a splinter buried in my skin, constantly irritating and demanding attention. I’ve wrestled with it over and over and tried to figure out why it bothers me. Then, it dawned […]
I Love Guatemala – Kali Pliego
By Kali Pliego About 10 years ago, during my third trip to Guatemala, and halfway though a semester abroad, I naively professed my love for all things Guatemala to a man who told me, “If you’re telling me that you love Guatemalans, then I’m telling you—you must not know many Guatemalans.” He was a North […]
Tamagochy
Tamagochy is a Guatemalan icon, made famous for his performances in the streets of historic Antigua, Guatemala. We saw him performing during our scouting trip in 2011 and were totally blown away by his creative talent. We first noticed the crowd surrounding him and wondered why everyone was gathered. We approached the crowd to explore and […]
Prodigal Clown – A Symbolic Story of Their Lives
Street youth joined professional entertainers on June 16, 2012 to present a symbolic story of their lives and honor a fallen hero. Professional Clown Italo Castro, devoted himself to mentoring street youth and became a father figure to many – even opening his home to them. Sadly, he tragically drowned in 2011. In the wake […]