An unsigned drawing by a Syrian child living in the Nea Kavala refugee camp in northern Greece. COURTESY PHOTO BY JEANNE C. WILLIAMS
Artwork created by children living in the Nea Kavala refugee camp in northern Greece as part of the project “Art Without Borders” will be sold during “World Thinking Day,” a free public event organized by the Westford Girls Scouts, on Friday, March 3 at First Parish Church United in Westford. All donations and artwork purchases will be used to procure art supplies for the children or personally donated directly to the children and their families.
Works on canvas are $30, drawings on paper are $20, and postcards are $2. All proceeds benefit the children and their families living at the camp in Greece.
The project was featured on NBC’s “Nightly News with Lester Holt” this month, in a piece which can be viewed here.
“Nea Kavala – Art Without Borders” was created by Kayra Martinez, an American working in Europe. She has been involved with helping families fleeing Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, among other countries, since 2015. In addition to assisting with finding necessities for refugee families, Martinez has conducted art therapy classes with children at the Nea Kavala camp, and collects art materials so that they can spend their time drawing and painting.
“The children are their happiest when they can draw and paint,” said Martinez. “Creating artwork serves as therapy for displaced children. They draw about the sadness and also the happiness of life.”
EVENT: “Art Without Borders,” A Refugee Children’s Art Sale, at “World Thinking Day,” hosted by Westford Girls Scouts
DATE and TIME: Friday March 3, 6 to 8 p.m.
LOCATION: First Parish Church United, 48 Main Street, Westford
COST: Refugee children’s artwork from “Art Without Borders” will be sold in the lobby and donations gratefully accepted.
Admission to “World Thinking Day” is FREE and open to the public.
