VANCOUVER– Miniature sculptures and drawings done by sixth grade school children in the southern African national of Zambia Currently are on display in the WSU Vancouver Library until Thursday, Sept. 18. The artwork will be auctioned off in late September to help raise funds for the children’s village.
Local resident Nancy Macklin visited small villages in Zambia this past summer as part of the Ant Hill Foundation which is working to raise money to help build homes and support the education of the children in Zambia. The Ant Hill Foundation takes its name from the 100-plus year old ant hills found in the area. The ants’ waste is left in huge hills (up to two stories high) and is used to make bricks for homes by adding water and putting the mud in a form to dry in the sun. Macklin brought art supplies with her on her trip and arranged to spend an afternoon with the children creating art. Macklin and her fellow travelers took an instant photo of each student and asked them to do a self portrait. The children who experimented with pipe cleaners also created small sculptures. Macklin said she found the children’s choice of subject matter interesting. There were many beds, chairs and tables. Most children do not have beds in their house nor tables and chairs, although they are familiar with beds from the local Malaria and AIDS clinic. There were cars made, which are also not a common possession in the area. The other pieces are of the things they use and see every day: pots, plates, tea pot, animals such as buffalo, and a mortar and pestle.
To find out more about the Ant Hill Foundation contact Nancy Macklin at maclong@comcast.net.
Entry to campus exhibits is free. WSU Vancouver Library is open Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
