Artist Profile

Kisii
16" X 20" NFS

March on Washington
16" X 20" $175

La Estancia
16" X 20" $128

Dona Tomasa
8" X 8" NFS

My artwork and inspiration, and a lot of my ideas come from my time living and working in the developing world. I served as a Rural Youth at Risk Volunteer in Santiago Sacatequez, Guatemala from 2003-05. My host organization was Asocian Fémina en el Desarrollo en Sacatepéquez (AFEDES), a micro-credit organization, which gives loans to women to start their own businesses.

I assisted the organization by running youth groups for the daughters of women who received loans to promote higher education for girls. I managed a scholarship program funded my IDEX that helped 98 girls remain in school. I traveled throughout the state of Sacapequez to visit schools and see how the girls who received funding were doing in school. I met with school directors and teachers to develop a way to help the girls remain in school, be successful and seek higher education. Many families in Guatemala do not tend to send their daughters to school since they think that daughter will only marry and not use their education. I worked directly with families to explain the importance of education to help their daughters succeed in life. At the end of my two years of service, all the girls who received assistance from AFEDES remained in school.

I studied Art History and Studio Arts at Clark University and completed a Master's of Arts in International Development. I have always painted, buy since my Peace Corps experience my work represents my volunteer experience.

My family also now imports crafts from Guatemala to sell locally. My painting attempt to share my experiences working and living overseas with a larger audience .

Tour Location: ArtSpace Hartford Gallery - Group Show Only

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ceciliaimports

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