Sausalito Marin City School District Students Send Artwork To Sakaide, Japan

Sausalito, CA, June 18, 2009 - The Sausalito Sister City Program with Sakaide, Japan is celebrating a twenty-one year relationship that was established in 1988 because of the two cities' landmark bridges, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Seto Bridge. The Sausalito-Sakaide Sister City relationship has been compared to a bridge that connects the U.S. with Japan and features a cultural student exchange program.

Sausalito Marin City School District students have prepared a variety of art using several mediums to send with the twelve-member Sausalito delegation that will travel to Sakaide on July 24th to August 5, 2009. The two cities send students alternating years to experience the others culture, the program also includes a student art exchange. This years delegation is comprised of eight Marin County high- school students, two chaperones, Sister City Board members, and the Mayor of Sausalto.

“The student art exchange program is one that we are all proud of as the artwork will be displayed prominently at City Hall, in Sakaide during the stay of the visiting delegation”, says Sausalito Sister City Program President, Susan Roe. “It is one way our students can express themselves, share, and celebrate the creative world of art.”

For additional information about The Sister City Program visit: http://www.sausalitosistercity.com

SMCSD STUDENTS STUDY MULTICULTURAL ART WITH KENYAN ARTIST

The students of the Sausalito Marin City School District recently participated in a cultural enrichment art program with well known published artist and painter, Nicholas Sironka.  The Kenyan born artist is a Maasai by tribe his art interweaves the Maasai culture into large Batik images.  Through hands-on workshops, Sironka teaches students the history and techniques of Batik art, along with an understanding of the Maasai culture.

At the early morning gathering at the Bay Model, students of Bayside Elementary and Willow Creek Academy were treated to a slide show to see what Kenya is like, and given a brief introduction of the Maasai people and life style in the past and present day.  Mr. Sironka talked with the students about their feelings and beliefs in the community.  He shared a short story with the students that conveyed the importance of understanding other peoples and Cultures, and explained how this serves to advance Multi cultural harmony and cohesion.  After a Q&A session, the students participated in traditional Maasai song and dance.  Under the direction of Mr. Sironka, the students created artworks in rotating sessions and gained hands on experience with creating the batik.  Students participating in the Youth in Arts after school Twilight Program received additional instruction and time with the artist. 

Sironka is a skilled illustrator, designer, and mural artist.  His poignant and eye-catching Batiks are exhibited and collected by a wide spectrum of galleries, private firms and organizations in Kenya, South Africa, the United States, and Europe. 

This unique opportunity and extraordinary experience to work with the acclaimed artist comes to the district as a result of the ongoing partnership with Youth in Arts.  It is the intention to create an art pen pal relationship between the Sausalito Marin City School District and schools in Kenya and potentially have Mr. Sironka return to the district to share his talents every year. 

For additional information about the artist you can visit his website at: http://www.sironkamaasai.com

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