Varanasi Creativity Workshop

We conducted a pilot of our first "Creativity Workshop" in Varanasi November 21-23. Below are pictures of some of the participants and their outcomes.





















One of the projects was an "individual collaboration" as each participant, given a lump of clay, formed an image of what God was putting on their heart for India. After all were completed they were put together in the above arrangement...

The culmination of the Workshop was at Kingdom International Fellowship (KIF) on Sunday where Chuck spoke on biblical creativity and Janis & kids started a large painting of India's imagination being unleashed. The concept for the painting was unleashed by this "thumbnail" sketch of an idea that came to Janis while she was in a beauty salon...



Here are a couple of young artists from among the many KIF kids who gladly helped...


Chuck helped the next day with touch up and background...












Janis beside the finished painting...


This final product will remain with KIF in Varanasi...

Construction

For over a month, now, construction has been taking place in front of our building. We think there may be some "politics" involved in why it is taking so long. In the meantime, as you can see, it is a bit inconvenient getting in and out. The parking below the building is entirely cut off and inaccessible to the road.

Mid- Project - lasting about 3 weeks












"Almost" Done - as it is currently, and has been for over a week. The concrete slabs are supposed to cover the ditch.

Creative Conscience Workshop

Every year a Delhi NGO sponsors a "Creative Conscience Workshop for artists from around India to gather for a week to share lives and focus their art on a common topic of social concern. The artists come from a variety of backgrounds (clasically trained, self-taught, free-lance, amateur...) and beliefs (Hindu, Muslim, Christian). Last year the theme was on "female foeticide." In follow up, this year's theme was: Violence against Women – Exploring gender identities and the roots of violence against women in India.

Below are some of the people and pieces of art that were being produced...
Janis'
Chuck's


Aunty Shakti, an 80+, self-taught artist, who is very bold in the subjects she chooses, intends to do a joint exhibit in March with Janis and two other female artists.












A "Gallery" of other works - some finished, some still in progress;






















The daughter of the caretakers looked forward to her "impromptu" art lessons with Janis Aunty.

Neighbors

The first week of November we were away at the annual Creative Conscience Workshop. The 2nd week we were both quite ill, so some of these next posts will be catch up :(...

Our Neighbors...
...from previous residence in Saket, had a baby boy recently!









New friends from 1 floor below...









Across the hall, at Diwalli, this young neighbor said, "Aunty, Aunty, come watch the bombs with me!" while inviting Janis to accompany him to the rooftop to see the prolific fireworks.

From Diwalli on, it seems there is an endless series of festivals of various sorts - Hindu, Muslim, Sikh... All of which seem to be decorated by marigold garlands, lights, and many bright decorations...