Since we arrived, we've been spending a lot of our free time at Ivuka, an art studio/art co-operative in Kigali. It was founded by an amazing man named Collin (that's him on the left).There aren't a lot of people making art in Rwanda, and RA2 has been known to describe Ivuka as "water in the desert". It's a gorgeous, open space where people create art, share art, and spend time together around art. In keeping with that spirit, Collin also founded a children's dance troupe dedicated to traditional Rwandan dance, essentially to give the neighborhood kids something to do. They're in the studio every Saturday and Sunday, and whenever they have free time, dancing and banging (LOUDLY) on drums. The troupe has been to Holland to perform and Collin is constantly promoting them, trying to figure out where else they can perform. They're really incredible.
Our friend Richard recently represented Rwanda in the equivalent of the Art Olympics. Every country sends a painter and a sculptor. This was the first year Rwanda participated, and this gorgeous piece of art was Richard's contribution.
Auggie is another one of our favorite people (on the entire planet, possibly), mostly because his smile is so amazing it can light up a universe, but he also makes beautiful things that we love to look at.
The guys (and lady - hi Chance!) at Ivuka have been amazingly good to us, letting us just hang out and paint. Art therapy is a really nice way to unwind after a week of cranky children. Richard has begun to refer to our paintings as "abstract", which is both generous and kind. Chance has been trying to teach us to dance, bless her hopeful heart.
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