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Jean Preston Fine Art |
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CLAY, RESIN, AND OTHER MATERIALS
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Hello Visitors, Patrons, and Friends,
March 2008 - Trip to Zimbabwe, Southern Africa Our travels to Africa took my husband and I to Zimbabwe in Southern Africa where we visited Victoria Falls, one of the wonders of the world, and continued our journey to include Bulawayo and Harare, the capital. The Falls were truly spectacular and as part of our mission was to organize the delivery of wheelchairs from the Rotary Club of Fresno we were taken to visit a school and to meet with some of the disabled people who were to receive the wheelchairs. It was a very moving experience to see people hobbling in on crutches and young children who would never be able to walk because of their disabilities. Zimbabwe is a country where the political leadership has brought the country to its knees. Twenty five percent of the population have moved to other countries where they can find jobs and send money home to their families to help them survive. The inflation rate is one hundred thousand percent per annum and food, fuel and other commodities are scarce. Many are starving and with the added problem of Aids there are thousands of orphans. You may wonder what inspiration for art could come out of this atmosphere. However, this was not the case, the Zimbabweans are incredibly creative people whose faith hope and belief in a better future gives them the ability to still be able to smile and greet visitors warmly. They inspired in me a hope for Africa, with its wonderful culture, the dancers, the music, the beautiful carved stone and wood sculptures and colorful paintings, all spoke of the art spirit being kept alive under the very worst of circumstances. One final note, even in their own struggle for survival nearly everyone , black and white Zimbabweans together were supporting orphans, helping the elderly, sharing food and trying to keep a broken down education system working. They were my inspiration to know that the creative spirit, whatever form it may take, can never be suppressed, and art forms will evolve to tell the story.
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