Constellation

South America	Venezuela			To discover each group, click San José de la Urbina Estrellitas Pequeñas Artistas Guarataro Teachers and volunteers News
San José de la Urbina
Maritza Montero, Professor of Social Psychology at the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas, created the first group in 1997 in a library of the very under-priviledged neighbourhood of San Jose de la Urbina. Thanks to the lessons of a painter, Ciro Hidalgo, and 2 teachers, David Palacios and Merwin Pere, the kids have really improved their painting skills. They’re now making beautiful oil paintings. Besides, the Fondation Polar, a non-public foundation, has decided to provide them with a subsidy to help them produce a book illustrating the history of their district. Maribel Goncalves, a psychologist, led that project. In 2002, David Palacios replaced Merwin. The French Embassy is also printing Christmas cards from the kids’ paintings. In 2003, the Venezuelan association of Constellation was recognized by the Venezuelan authorities. Maritza is giving various conferences throughout the world, and she largely describes the experience of Constellation. The children from San José de la urbina can't work with Constellation at the library any more! We'll miss their enthusiasm, their generosity, their wonderful paintings. We have enjoyed working with them in our worshops. "Contelacion" couldn't have existed without them. We'll never forget their energy, their generosity, their straightforwardness. From now on the children from a different neighbourhood of Caracas will take over!				San José de la Urbina Museum
Estrellitas
The smallest kids of San Jose de la Urbina are known under the name of « Estrellitas », which means « Small Stars ».				Estrellitas Museum
Pequeñas Artistas
Ingrid Gomez, Social psychologist, and Maritza’s colleague, has created other groups in Caracas within the Cutltural Center of Ateneo. These groups were first created for the kids who found refugee in the district after the 1999 drowns. Then the groups developed to welcome more kids from other under-priviledged districts.				Pequeñas Artistas Museum
Guarataro
The neighbourhood of Guarataro was created at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, in the hills at the South West of the city of Caracas. Even though most housings today built from solid materials, they are really poor (mostly in the upper part of the mountain). Inhabitants have low income. There is a Community Education program the premises of which are located in the middle of the neighborhood. It owns a computer center, a small library, a small reading room, and meeting rooms. The program director, Ricardo Bolivar, and Anuncia, another important person in charge, have been very generously hosting Constellation within this structure and have provided their support since January 2005. There are from 10 to 26 children per session, with a strong determination to attend regularly.				Guarataro Museum
Teachers and volunters
Maritza	Ingrid	Rafael	Wladimir