Ashley Cecil

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As of two days ago, I am scheduled to visit Venezuela this February with Witness for Peace.

Witness for Peace (WFP) is a politically independent, nationwide grassroots organization of people committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. WFP’s mission is to support peace, justice and sustainable economies in the Americas by changing U.S. policies and corporate practices which contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and the Caribbean.

I set a goal this year to begin international travel for my art-meets-social-activistism. I didn’t expect after a couple of weeks of making the commitment I would be getting vaccinations and making copies of my passport in preparation for an imminent first adventure. A friend, at the Louisville office of Sister Cities, brought a flier to a meeting we both attended earlier this week about the delegation to Venezuela. The itinerary by no means includes long walks on the beach and spa treatment. A few highlights of this trip will include:

• Meeting with labor organizers, scholars, professionals, business people, representatives of the media and activists to discuss the economic, social and political issues confronting Venezuelan society.
• Learning about grassroots resistance to unjust and devastating global economic trends.
• Discussing alternatives to current US policies and ways to advocate for more just policies towards Venezuela.

The images I will gather from this trip will certainly yield excellent material for my paintings. I will be creating watercolors while I’m away and posting them (as well as my commentary) whenever an internet cafe is available. I wouldn’t be surprised if paintings of Venezuela linger after I return home.

So, here I am just one month from my departure, and $2,000 needs to be raised. I’ve added the badge above to the sidebar so my readers can contribute with donations. I plan to save that space permanently for the donation badge as this trip is the first of many. I am already in the beginning phases of coordinating a trip to rural mountain villages of Guatemala soon thereafter.

If you’re not one to give without receiving, I am pre-selling paintings that will come as a result of this trip. 6″ x 9″ watercolors are $70, and 8″ x 10″ oils on canvas are $220. I encourage you to support my efforts in raising awareness about these issues and the organizations that are working to resolve them by clicking on the donation badge to the right, or by emailing me at ashley.cecil@gmail.com to pre-purchase a painting. And remember, a portion of all my art sales go back to benefit corresponding organizations.

As of two days ago, I am scheduled to visit Venezuela this February with Witness for Peace. Witness for Peace (WFP) is a politically independent, nationwide grassroots organization of people committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. WFP’s mission is to support peace, justice and sustainable economies in the Americas by changing ...