Creative Expression

The Creative Expression Program runs within Safe Passage´s educational reinforcement center. The classes are designed to create a safe space where students are able to express themselves and discover new talents that will motivate and inspire them to succeed in all areas of their lives. The creative expression classes are broken down into three different categories from Art and Values classes with younger students, Creative Expression workshops with older students, and one-on-one ECI (Expresion Creativa Individual) classes with select students. You can also visit the program's blog here or read the Winter 2012 Newsletter here.

Classes reinforce teamwork, collaboration, and respect in order to create a culture of peace.

Art, Music and Values: All Safe Passage afternoon students, grades 1st through 5th, participate in a weekly Art, Music and Values class. These activities follow the UNESCO Peace Program and teach universal values through art, song and play.    Students are exposed to different forms of expression and learn to use their creativity to express their opinions and ideas while encouraged to create their own original art and music in order to recognize the importance of every unique individual.
    Creative Expression Workshops: Safe Passage morning students, 6th grade through high-school, are all given the opportunity to participate in small group creative expression workshops including but not limited to visual art, music lessons and creative writing. Classes meet for an hour a week and use the various art forms as a vehicle for students to share their ideas, opinions and creativity.
    Individual Creative Expression (ECI):Individual Creative Expression classes are one-on-one art or music lessons with students, morning and afternoon, who are in need of extra individual attention to meet their specific needs. Creative Expression teachers work directly with the Safe Passage counseling department to identify students who would benefit most from ECI classes and then provide guidance about how to best meet the needs of each individual student.
    Saturday Clubs: Saturday Clubs are offered by the Creative Expression Program to students of all ages. Saturdays are a perfect time for more intensive lessons because students have more free time! This allows those who are dedicated and excited the space to learn something new and further their artistic education. Saturday workshops have included photography, graffiti and general art and values classes.

The Safe Passage Art Program inspires self-expression that fosters self-esteem, leadership, confidence and responsibility, using the creative process to motivate Safe Passage students to stay in school, stand strong against social risks such as drugs, violence and gang involvement while creating a culture of peace that empowers the individual, family, and community.

·         Artistic & Creative: Develop artistic and creative talents and skills that foster self-expression, passion, in all Safe Passage students through visual art, music and theater.

·         Emotional & Social: Strengthen universal values and a culture of peace by using artistic expression and the creative therapeutic process to increase self-esteem, leadership, confidence, responsibility and greater social and emotional intelligence.

·         Professional: Inspire students to take an active role informing their own future by envisioning professional goals and how to overcome obstacles and achieve their

Intellectual: Strengthen intellectual and critical thinking skills by increasing awareness of culture and history through the arts and focusing on the expression of ideas, opinions and goals.

dreams with imagination and creativity.

· Community & Global: Create a community united in solidarity within Zone 3, Guatemala and abroad that strengthens cooperation, teamwork and compassion, using art as a form of communication that brings awareness, connects and empowers by transcending social, economic and geographic barriers.

Past Newsletters:

Fall 2011 Newsletter

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