Expert: Lorena Mlns - 3/27/2008

Question
I am an art educator in a Chicago Public Elementary school and I grew up in Panama as a Gringo. My experiences growing up Panama were the most influential on my perspective of the world, art, and society. I have been in contact with a public school in Panama and have their blessings to do an art exchange and Internet conferencing between our students in 3-6th grade. If I could find funding I would go to the school and conduct art workshops with the kids and we would complete a public mural for the community. My question is who might be interested in sponsoring this project, if at least for my round trip flight. I am able to spend up to a month (June-July 2008) and I was there last year after selling an 18ft mural to the new US Embassy in Clayton. The school mural would be kid designed and I would direct them and during my school year here in Chicago have my students communicate with their Latino counterparts.

Answer
Hi Mark,
I would suggest you contact the First Lady.
Their office seems to always sponsoring work that is similar to what you mention.
I do not have a contact name there but their site should work: http://www.presidencia.gob.pa/primeradama/
I would also try the mere of Panama who I think might also be interested: alcalde@municipio.gob.pa
I hope you can make this happen !
Good luck.
Lorena