Art Bridge
(formerly Sudanese Art Project)

This name change is overdue as the ESL students attending our art classes are no longer all from Sudan. Many now come from Somalia, Burma and Thailand. We see ourselves as artists "bridging" the obstacles of language and culture which these newly arrived refugees face. Our new name reflects this outreach.
            -Carol Coppi, co-ordinator, "ART BRIDGE"



Student Scratchboard

Omaha Artist volunteers began teaching classes to the English as a Second Language classes in March of 2002.  We introduce art basics; we give what we call an "art experience" -- time to be creative.  We teach two 45 minute classes to approximately 30 students, both men and women.  Classes are held on the second Wednesday of each month, September through May.

The "art experience" has truly evolved through trial and error.  Many of these students have come from terrible situations, especially the Sudanese, who often come from refugee camps and have been relocated many times.  We began to see how absorbed they become during their work.  The students are very bright and design oriented.  Our goal has been to give them a positive art experience, reinforce their English, teach basic skills of drawing and painting, and send them home each time with a shomewhat finished work.  We also try to introduce seasonal and cultural scenes that they will encounter in Nebraska.  We do snowmen and Valentines, flowers, leaves, and pumpkins relating them, if we an, to something they know from their country --and alwyas we say, "English, please."  I wish you could see the variety we get as they take our simples lessons and "run with them."  The ESL teachers are also thrilled with the art lessons. 

The ESL class has changed as there are fewer Sudanese.  We now have many Somalis, Hispanics, and Asians, all eager to learn English and enter American life.  We give them something iin addition --a creative opportunity that many have never had.  The program has benefited both teachers and students.  All of us who work with it have grown in appreciation of these newcomers to our country.                                                                 

... Carol Coppi

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