Arts Umbrella is thrilled to welcome three students from Bogotá, Colombia, who are taking part in two weeks of our teen summer programs. The students arrived for class on July 13, 2015 and some familiar faces were there to greet them: artist-instructors Jessica Jang and Jason Wright.

Jessica and Jason travelled to Bogotá in March, 2015 and worked with 26 students for CulturART Exchange – a new cultural, social, and educational initiative headed up by the Vancouver Biennale and fellow educators at Liceo Boston.

Now three students from the Bogotá group, ranging in age from 14 to 16, have the opportunity to create art on Granville Island and experience Canadian culture in Vancouver.

During their Arts Umbrella experience, which is sponsored by the Buschlen Mowatt Nichol Foundation, the Colombian students are sketching, making prints, creating still life collections, and gathering observations alongside Canadian students.

Their time in Vancouver culminates CulturART Exchange, a six-month program designed to empower community leadership and expand creative potential in underprivileged youth. The curriculum ties in with Vancouver Biennale’s 2014-2016 theme: “Open Borders/Crossroads”.

The students will take their many Canadian experiences home to Colombia, sharing tales of art studios creations, Vancouver tourist attractions, kayak trips, and colourful public sculptures.

We wish Lisette, Laura, and Mateo a fun and creative Vancouver visit!