The Santa Clarita Artists’ Association (SCAA) board voted to support an art school in Karatu, Tanzania. Most of the students attending Tloma Art Centre are from the Orphanage Centre, some are from the streets, while others are from very poor families in the village. The Centre provides art education free to 17 children, along with lunch for an afternoon of art fun, according to Shirley Checkos, who visited the Tloma Art Center in August 2008. Since then she kept an ongoing e-mail correspondence, provided some financial assistance, and has been selling these African original paintings for the school in California.
“I fell in love with the efforts and the commitment of the three teachers who were trying to promote art education to the children in their villages. The school is facing serious difficulties at this time, they have no desks for the children to sit at and paint. Right now they are sitting on the dirt. The teachers want to buy land so as to have enough ground for the children to learn about African traditional games and to be able to build their own art school.” Shirley is a wildlife artist and teaches oil painting classes in Canyon Country. She developed a fascination and deep connection from an early age, that later became her artistic inspiration. An award winning, self-taught artist, Shirley has expressed her love of animals with oil paints since 1971. Her life-like artwork captures the beautiful details of every animal she paints.
The Tloma Art Centre is run by three art teachers: Malicky, Suleman and Sinka, with very little financial support. School chairman. Malicky Adam says, “Feeding the children lunch is so important because they are so poor and hungry. Without food in their bellies, they cannot concentrate.”
Malicky, age 35, was born in the Mto wa mbu village and had five brothers and six sisters. His deceased mother was a famous artist and Malicky started lessons at eight years old. After primary and secondary education, he joined the College of Wildlife Management and was awarded a certificate in Wildlife Management. He conducts walking and biking tours.
Suleman, a 34-year old art teacher, learned art from his well-known artist father. Although he had only primary education, his natural artistic talents shine. Sinka, a 28-year old art teacher also came from an artistic family but has only primary education and passed for secondary school. His grandfather was an artist.
Established in December 2007, the Centre is situated near the small town of Karatu, the last town along the road, which goes to the famous Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Children come to the center for art lessons at 4:30 pm, after they attend regular school. Art lessons include three styles; Tingatinga, Kisu and Obstract.
Tourism is down in Tanzania and the Tloma is not making any money through selling paintings directly to the tourist industry. They need charity to keep the school open and to feed the children. SCAA is appealing to the Santa Clarita community to join in their efforts to keep the school open. Shirley, who is coordinating the efforts to raise funds for the school, she can be reached at: artist2thestars@yahoo.com. Also, contributions in art supplies may be made directly to Thomas Art Centre, Po Box 104, Karatu, Tanzania. They can use acrylic paints, brushes, canvas, etc.
The Santa Clarita Artists’ Association is in its 20th year and aims to improve the cultural aspects of Santa Clarita by Making Visual Art Visible. Started in 1989, the SCAA is a non-profit organization, and provides opportunities for creative growth to our community. SCAA participates in community events such as the Street Art Festival, Literacy & Arts Festival, with creative activities for children, and are hosting a new program at the Valencia Library, called 60 minutes with an Artist.
Partnering with Providence Holy Cross in its “Art of Healing” exhibit, a U.S. savings bond is given to a local elementary student. Annually, a scholarship is awarded to a high school or college art student. SCAA website is www.santaclaritaartists.org .