Accidents Do Happen, Sometimes For Good

(Blog by T.J. Prough)

There was a time when art defined an empire. Governments and kingdoms poured money into the best of our world’s creators to ensure intellectual and financial dominance. But as time slowly marched into the present day, so did the humankind’s view of using art to inspire, awe or just plainbelittle it’s fellow man. Art became independent of subsidy and slavery, although there is still a fight as to the future of, say, The National Endowment for the Arts. In reality, artists themselves have found a better audience for it’s creations, and further still, a better recipient for the time and monies that come from the showing or sale of their works: to those who have not had the opportunity to express their story, or to those who need the world’s eye turned toward their situation. Today, artists are using their many talents to make the world a better place; not only from sharing their beautiful creations, but from the focus upon which they choose to tell their stories to the world. There are many more organizations, independents and government-sponsored endeavors that enlist the artist to open humankind’s eyes to what is really happening around the world. And many times, it is by accident that artists become involved in campaigns for humanity. Whether it is for a local need or a global eyeopening, art makers have changed the game as to what is considered a cultural contribution to the world.

This small story isn’t about an artist, but rather a traveler who dreamed of going to Africa. Claudia Prather wanted to see zebras, lions and giraffes. And according to the story, these wonderful creatures walked through her and her friend’s campsite on occasion. More amazing is what caught her fascination while touring the grounds of the Tloma Lodge where she was staying – her accidental discovery of an outdoor art center run by the local park ranger named Malicky. He set up the center for the “poorest of the poor” Tanzanian children from the area. He founded the art center in 2007 to give the children an “opportunity to do something positive with their lives” and to keep them out of gangs. He and his fellow teachers rented a building for $50 a month to store their own artwork and the children’s finished works from the classes. The children’s work is primarily black and white due to the expensive costs of colored pencils and markers.

So Claudia was compelled to help. The current goal is to build an actual school for the children to continue their art education. She returned home to Frederick, MD with 40 pieces of art by Malicky and his partners as well as several pieces created by the children to be shown and sold to fund the new school. All proceeds from the sale of the children’s art will be equally divided among the children.

Prather is only getting started. Through friends and family, she has raised close to $1000 on her own to send to Malicky toward the building of the school. She and her daughter also sell the artwork through cafépress (www.cafepress.com/tlomaart). So take a look, and if you want to do something special for these talented Tanzanian children, buy one of their shirts and spread the word that anyone can help build a school to nurture talent and instill positivity in a place that offers little more than poverty or gang life.

In closing – I believe that sometimes when we stumble upon something by accident, we can not only make our own world a better place, but the microcosms of people who are in need of a bigger megaphone to tell their story. Claudia Prather stumbled upon this wonderful opportunity to contribute to these children’s lives. And I am happy to have stumbled upon this article. Who needs empires.

This story was first reported by The Frederick News Post website. http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/art_life/display_ent.htm?StoryID=89685