Community projects

Along with painting as a part time profession I also facilitate a community art program with a group of children from Harford village, St. Andrews, the community in which I reside. We use art as a means of empowering self and community. The children are engaged in a variety of creative cultural activities which include writing poetry, painting, collaging, story telling, making masks, dancing, acting and singing. We use various themes such as world peace, community building, how to create a healthy environment, how to utilize natural resources to make art, and resolving personal and group conflicts. We are presently funded by UNESCO and work with Grenadian non government organization called Grensave, Grenada’s Save the Children Organization.

The near future brings hope of organizing a childart collective that will provide Grenadian youths the opportunity to discover, explore and exercise their creative talents. This will be achieved through a variety of workshops facilitated by multi talented local artists. We also hope to open an arts and crafts gallery where local artists and children can both display and sell their work.

Community Happenings

My family and I live in a small village on North-east side of the island. Harford village sits in the lush tropical hills of St. Andrews, the biggest parish in Grenada. I have lived here for over ten years. My husband and daughter were both born in the village. We share special relationship with community as we are part of the village extended family.   Presently we are involved with various community projects such as facilitating a youth empowerment program; mobilizing community-based development organization (Harford village development organization); coaching a village soccer team; and facilitating a children’s art program.

In 2006 we secured a large piece of tarpuline to cover the community centre that was partially destroyed during hurricane Ivan. We were able to begin coordinating various programs and hold community meetings once again in the Centre.  The tarpuline has blown down recently due to strong tropical storm that passed through the island September 2007. We continue to wait for Grenada government to rebuild the Centre as promised after Hurricane Ivan 2004. In the meantime community members are planning to secure tarpuline over the centre and community programs will begin again soon.      

Under One Roof

Under One Roof will be located in Grenville, St. Andrews. We are now in the beginning stages of coordinating our first projects. These include:

1. A women’s textile collective that involves women learning and sharing ideas and skills about textile designs and knitwear. Items such as hats, bags and clothing will be produced and sold in local and regional markets
2. Achildren’s art program where children can explore, discover, and exercise their creative talents.
3. A non-profit arts and crafts gallery. The gallery will provide a market for St. Andrew’s
   artisans and offer tourists and community an opportunity to share in Grenadian talents.
4. Under One Roof will also offer a variety of skills training workshops assisting local artisans in producing, promoting, and marketing their work.

We are presently seeking funding for these projects. We are networking with local ngo, Grenada Save the Children (GRENSAVE). Currently our biggest financial need is start-up capital. Our plan is to support Under One Roof through revenue generated by sales in the gallery within the first year of opening. We are committed to using education through art as a means for community and economic growth. Donations are most welcome!

For more information please contact: Maureen St. Clair 442-8296 or email mayamado@hotmail.com

Hartford Community