Transcript Photo Album

Gallery Slideshow
BRYCS would like to express our deep appreciation to the dedicated teachers and service
providers who suggested the wonderful artists and art works featured here.
BRYCS is project of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops/Migration and Refugee
Services (USCCB/MRS)
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New Eyes on Our New Hometown: The Birth of My Nephew
(Photograph) - Alexis – Mexican-American, age 18
Kentucky Youth Advocates
My name is Alexis. I was born in
Chicago, Illinois and my dad took
me to Mexico when I was 8
months old. He brought me back
when I was 12 and I have been in
the USA for 4 years and in
Louisville for 2 years. I’m a senior
in high school. I’m interested in
computers and anything that has
to do with technology. My
photograph is titled: “New Eyes
on Our New Hometown: The Birth
of My Nephew”.
Faith Transcends the Waters (Photograph) – Yasmani - Cuba, age 15
Kentucky Youth Advocates
My name is Yasmani and I am a
9th grader at Iroquois High School.
I came from Cuba and I’m 15
years old. I have been living in
Louisville, Kentucky for 7 years. I
like where I’m living. Every one is
friendly and really nice. It’s a
beautiful city with a lot of
opportunities that you should take
advantage of. Also there are so
many things to enjoy! I liked that
we were able to take pictures and
actually do something with them
like posting them at the Pegasus
Gallery at the Louisville
International Airport for all to see .
My photograph is titled “Faith
Transcends the Waters”
Torn Between Turmoil and Tranquility: Coping with a New Life in Louisville
While Family Remains in Iraq (Photograph) – Duua – Iraq, Age 17
Kentucky Youth Advocates
My name is Duua. I’m from Iraq. I have
been in Louisville, KY for 5 years and I’m a
student at Iroquois High School. In addition,
I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters. I like to
read and I love photographing. What I liked
about this project is that it gave us a
chance to show our city and the things that
mean a lot to each one of us. We expressed
ourselves by shooting pictures of things we
like and are meaningful to us. My
photograph is titled: “Torn between Turmoil
and Tranquility: coping with a new life in
Louisville while family remains in Iraq.” My
mother had just spoken to my brother, who
is in Iraq, and could hear bombs going off in
the background.
Growth in the Midst of Diversity (Photograph) - Ngoc –
Vietnam, Age 18
Kentucky Youth Advocates
My name is Ngoc and I have been in Louisville for two
and a half years now. Since I came to the United
States alone at the age of sixteen, I had a hard time
adjusting to the new environment. Nevertheless, I’m
glad that I had come to Louisville because I feel very
welcomed as a “Newcomer” to the country and
especially to Louisville. People here are amicable and
generous. The environment is always safe and fresh
with green trees everywhere. That’s the reason I am
very grateful to be involved in the “Voices from the
‘Ville” program of Kentucky Youth Advocates. Not only
I have a lot of fun carrying out the project, but also
have a chance to express the sense of secure and free
I feel living in the city through my photographs.
The program was really interesting and I enjoyed my
time working on the project. Not only I had a chance to
take a lot of pictures of Louisville, my New Hometown,
but I also got a chance to get professional feedback to
make them even better. Knowing that my opinion of
our city expressed in my pictures is treasured by
viewers makes the program even more meaningful to
me. I am sincerely grateful to be a part of the project.
My photograph is titled “Growth in the Midst of
Adversity” and for me represents a mirror to life in the
US as a young refugee.
Mandela Design (Markers on Paper) – Samiro Yussef – Somalia, 10th grade
Jefferson County Public School
My name is Samiro. I am from Somalia and I came to
the United States on October 17, 2006. My father was
a doctor in Somalia, when my sister and I were born. I
do not remember Somalia at all because when I was a
year and a half my family moved to a refugee camp in
Kenya. While we were in Kenya, my little brother and
two sisters were born. I lived in Kenya for fifteen years.
I went to school there up to the ninth grade. Then my
family moved to America. When I first came to America
I was not very happy because there were so many
people I did not know. It was the first time I saw such
large buildings, especially the buildings downtown.
Then I went to school at the ESL Newcomer Academy
and made friends from all different countries. Now I
am happier because I have friends and I am better at
English.
I like art class very much, especially making drawings.
I like to draw household items. One time I drew an
“ashun”, which is something they use to in Somalia to
boil water. I like sharing part of my culture with my
class mates.
I play volleyball at my high school. I started playing
because I learned about volleyball in P.E. class and I
liked it. Now I am making friends on the volleyball
team.
In the future I want to be a general doctor like my
father. I want to learn about treating people. I will
have to go to college. When I go to college, I want to
stay in Louisville because I know people here.
Untitled (Poster Paints) – Nestor Niyitunga
– Somalia, 10th grade
Jefferson County Public School
My name is Nestor and I am eighteen
years old. I’m from Burundi and I
came to the United States in August
2007. I have been living in Louisville,
Kentucky since I first arrived in the
United States.
When I arrived in America, I saw that
it was very different from Burundi.
There were people and cars
everywhere. Everything is so
expensive here! For example, people
live in expensive apartments. In
Burundi, I lived in a small house with
my mom, dad, brothers and sisters.
I like to play soccer with adults. I play
at the Americana Community Center
in Louisville a lot. But I do not play in
winter because it was too cold!
I want to go to college and be a doctor.
I want to be the kind of doctor who
helps people to solve their problems.
For instance someone will come and
talk to me about their problems and I
will help them feel better.
Untitled (Paper Collage) - Brayan Serrano, El Salvador – High School
Jefferson County Public School
My name is Brayan and I am eighteen years old. I’m
from El Salvador and I came to the United States in
2007. I lived in Texas for one month and then came to
Louisville, Kentucky where I have lived for the last year.
My family left El Salvador in a hurry because of the
gang violence in El Salvador. Someone in a gang
threatened me, so my family decided to move to
America where it was safe. We were swimming across
the river to America, when the border patrol arrested
us and they put my family in jail in Texas for one
month. Then my family was finally free to come to
Louisville. Now we are in court so we can become
American citizens. I hope I am a legal citizen soon.
This collage is about my future hopes and dreams. My
art work says it all! I made the collage last year in my
art class at the ESL Newcomer Academy. I put pictures
of doctors in there because I want to be a doctor. If I
cannot be a doctor, I want to be an artist. I also want
a special girl like the girl sticking her tongue out in the
picture. I want a nice car, and I want to be able take
vacations on a boat. Lastly, I want to have good
friends in my life, and I want to go camping with them.
When I am not in school, I go to work. I work at
McDonalds. I also take care of my two sisters. When I
am not busy, I like to play soccer at Tom Sawyer Park.
Untitled (Paper Collage) - Cony Serrano, El Salvador
Jefferson County Public School
My name is Cony and I am seventeen years
old. I’m from El Salvador and I came to the
United States in 2006. I have been living in
Louisville, Kentucky since I first arrived in
the United States.
I am Brayan Serrano’s sister, so I came
with him to America. At first America was
strange because it wasn’t my real home,
but now I like it. I have many aunts and
uncles who live here and I see them every
day. We get together and eat pupusas,
which are made of beans, cheese, and pork.
I do not have many hobbies because I have
a job. I work at McDonald’s with my
brother Brayan. We have fun together. We
tell each other our secrets.
I want to go to college in Kentucky and
study English. I don’t know yet what I want
to do after college.
Untitled (Paper Collage) - Abdirashid Idle
Jefferson County Public School English as a Second Language Class
My name is Abdirashid and I am fourteen years old. I
am from Somalia and I came to the United States in
March, 2006. Before we came to America, we lived in
Cairo, in Egypt, for six years. I was eight when we
came from Somalia. There were a lot of Somalis in
Cairo. Me and my brothers played soccer with the kids
there in the street. When I came to America, I was so
afraid. Before we moved to Louisville, Kentucky, we
were in Columbia, South Carolina. We saw a lady from
Somalia, and she said, “Don’t worry. We’ll take you to
a refugee house.” We lived in South Carolina for four
months. There weren’t many Somali people there. We
knew this lady and a man who lived there for more
than 30 years. He married an American woman and we
played soccer with him sometimes. Then my mom’s
friend helped us move to Louisville, Kentucky. I have
two sisters and two brothers, so she helped us move
everything. There are more Somalis here, so we moved
from Columbia. It’s good here, and I like it.
I made this art last spring in school. I make art when I
feel good, and mostly I like to draw. I draw things in
my house sometimes - or just anything. I also like
music. I can sing and dance. I like Somali songs. I play
soccer. I’m a midfielder, and I play with my older
brothers a lot. We play on the Americana Community
Center team, and we always win!
I want to be a doctor and work with old people. I want
to go back to where I come from and help people there.
The Iu-Mien Village Project, 2006-2007 (Timber, grasses)
United Iu-Mien Community, Sacramento, California
Led by a team of senior Iu-Mien community leaders, the Iu-Mien youth came together to learn the craft of building a traditional Iu
Mien village house and, at the same time, honor their own history, culture, and traditions. The younger generation worked side-byside with their elders to create a traditional village house and to mark a unique moment in time for the future generations of the Iu
Mien people. The United Iu-Mien Community, Inc. has made a documentary Past in the Present: Loz-Hnoi Yiem Ij Jaax, The IuMien Village Project Documentary, which can be purchased from UIMC, Inc., 6000 Lemon Hill Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95824.
The Iu-Mien Village Project, 2006-2007 (Timber, grasses)
United Iu-Mien Community, Sacramento, California
Led by a team of senior Iu-Mien community leaders, the Iu-Mien youth came together to learn the craft of building a traditional Iu
Mien village house and, at the same time, honor their own history, culture, and traditions. The younger generation worked side-byside with their elders to create a traditional village house and to mark a unique moment in time for the future generations of the Iu
Mien people. The United Iu-Mien Community, Inc. has made a documentary Past in the Present: Loz-Hnoi Yiem Ij Jaax, The IuMien Village Project Documentary, which can be purchased from UIMC, Inc., 6000 Lemon Hill Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95824.
Tuba (Oil Pastels) – Fred Tassy - Haiti, age 11
Milagro Center
My name is Fred Tassy and I’m eleven years
old. I live with my dad and brother and
sister. My sister is sixteen and my brother
is fourteen. I was born in Haiti on February
4th 1996. I go to Banyon Creek Elementary
School and I’m in the fifth grade. I love
playing football and reading, especially
books about food. My favorite thing about
the Milagro Center is going to the camp and
I love drawing cars.
Harvest Squash (Oil Pastels) – Fred Tassy - Haiti, age 11
Milagro Center
My name is Fred Tassy and I’m
eleven years old. I live with my
dad and brother and sister. My
sister is sixteen and my brother
is fourteen. I was born in Haiti
on February 4th 1996. I go to
Banyon Creek Elementary School
and I’m in the fifth grade. I love
playing football and reading,
especially books about food. My
favorite thing about the Milagro
Center is going to the camp and I
love drawing cars.
Leaves (Leaves and Tempura Paint on Canvas) – Debony Rodriguez - Mexico, age 6
Milagro Center
My name is Debony Rodriguez
and I am six years old. I was
born in Mexico on July 17,
2001. I live with my dad,
mom, cousin, and my threeyear old sister. I go to
Orchard View Elementary
School and I’m in the first
grade. My favorite subject is
math. I love to read and my
favorite story is Cinderella. I
also love to play basketball
and play in the band. My
favorite thing about art is
painting and coloring and I
love to play outside at the
Milagro Center.
Untitled (Acrylic on Canvas) – Debony Rodriguez - Mexico, age 6
Milagro Center
My name is Debony
Rodriguez and I am six years
old. I was born in Mexico on
July 17, 2001. I live with my
dad, mom, cousin, and my
three-year old sister. I go to
Orchard View Elementary
School and I’m in the first
grade. My favorite subject is
math. I love to read and my
favorite story is Cinderella. I
also love to play basketball
and play in the band. My
favorite thing about art is
painting and coloring and I
love to play outside at the
Milagro Center.
Guitar (Oil Pastels) – Jaime Rodrigo Gonzales Garcia - Mexico, age 10
Milagro Center
My name is Jaime Rodrigo
Gonzales Garcia. I was born in
Guanajuato, Mexico on April 30,
2007. I am 10 years old and I
live with my mom, my brother,
who is 8 years old, and my pet
mouse. I go to Orchard View
Elementary and I’m in the 5th
grade. My favorite subject is
math and my favorite sport is
soccer. My hobbies are art and
computers and my favorite
book is Mijos. I love
everything about art and my
favorite things about the
Milagro Center are Ms. Kate,
Ms. Sarah and all my friends.
Abstract Design (Oil Pastels) – Jaime Rodrigo Gonzales Garcia - Mexico, age 10
Milagro Center
My name is Jaime Rodrigo
Gonzales Garcia. I was born in
Guanajuato, Mexico on April 30,
2007. I am 10 years old and I
live with my mom, my brother,
who is 8 years old, and my pet
mouse. I go to Orchard View
Elementary and I’m in the 5th
grade. My favorite subject is
math and my favorite sport is
soccer. My hobbies are art and
computers and my favorite
book is Mijos. I love
everything about art and my
favorite things about the
Milagro Center are Ms. Kate,
Ms. Sarah and all my friends.
Harvest Squash (Oil Pastels) – Jaime Rodrigo Gonzales Garcia - Mexico, age 10
Milagro Center
My name is Jaime Rodrigo
Gonzales Garcia. I was born in
Guanajuato, Mexico on April 30,
2007. I am 10 years old and I
live with my mom, my brother,
who is 8 years old, and my pet
mouse. I go to Orchard View
Elementary and I’m in the 5th
grade. My favorite subject is
math and my favorite sport is
soccer. My hobbies are art and
computers and my favorite
book is Mijos. I love
everything about art and my
favorite things about the
Milagro Center are Ms. Kate,
Ms. Sarah and all my friends.
Heart Candle Holder (Glazed Fired Clay) – Lizbeth Rodreguez - Mexico, age 10
Milagro Center
My name is Lizbeth Rodreguez
and I am ten years old. I was
born in Mexico on June 10,
1997. I live with my mom, dad
and my five year old sister.
I’m in fifth grade at Orchard
View Elementary School and
my favorite subject is math. I
like soccer and running is my
favorite hobby. I also like to
read the Bratz books. The
thing I like about art is that I
get to draw and my favorite
thing about the Milagro Center
is that I get to spend time with
my friends.
Untitled (Acrylic on Canvas) – Katia Jean-Louis - Haiti, age 8
Milagro Center
My name is Katia Jean-Louis
and I’m eight years old. I was
born in Haiti on April 23, 1999.
I’m an only child and I live with
my mom. I go to Pine Grove
elementary school and I’m in
3rd grade. My favorite subject
is Art because it’s fun and
exciting! I also like basketball
and roller skating and I love
books about Junie B. Jones. My
favorite thing about the Milagro
Center is that we get
Christmas presents.
Muchas Lunas (Acrylic on Canvas) – Ricardo Gonzales - Mexico, age 8
Milagro Center
My name is Ricardo Gonzales and I’m 8
years old. I was born in Mexico on April 26,
1999. I live with my mom and my brother,
who is 10 years old. I go to Orchard View
Elementary School and I’m in the 3rd
grade. My favorite subject is Math. Also, I
love soccer and reading Spiderman books.
My hobbies include playing games and
painting. The best thing about art is all
the colors! My favorite thing about the
Milagro Center is music.
Untitled (Acrylic on Canvas) – Ricardo Gonzales - Mexico, age 8
Milagro Center
My name is Ricardo Gonzales and
I’m 8 years old. I was born in
Mexico on April 26, 1999. I live
with my mom and my brother, who
is 10 years old. I go to Orchard
View Elementary School and I’m in
the 3rd grade. My favorite subject
is Math. Also, I love soccer and
reading Spiderman books. My
hobbies include playing games and
painting. The best thing about art
is all the colors! My favorite thing
about the Milagro Center is music.
Three Purses (Fabrics and Fibers) – Khadija Mohammed - Somalia, age 16
Studio 2000
Khadija Mohammed is sixteen
years old. Khadija is originally
from Somalia and arrived in
the United States in 2004.
She and her family were
resettled in Louisville,
Kentucky, where they still live.
Khadija’s hobbies include art,
shopping, movies, fun parks
and soccer. She plans to
attend college and become a
fashion designer and a pilot.
Khadija is a spontaneous artist
that loves color and stitch
work. She made the featured
purses at Studio 2000 in the
summer of 2007.
Figure of a Woman (Plaster) – Luis Borroto - Cuba, age 16
Studio 2000
Luis Borroto is sixteen years old. Originally
from Cuba, Luis and his family arrived in the
United States on January 23, 2005 and
resettled in Louisville, Kentucky, where they
still live. Luis’ art is influenced by cubism,
impressionism, realism, and the study of
Ancient Greeks. His work is also influenced
by his Uncle, who is a sculpture instructor in
his country of origin. Luis enjoys any
physical activities and also likes to spend
time with people to make sure they feel
comfortable. Since God is his number one
priority, he also likes to attend church. Luis
plans to attend college and major in
business and art. His major dream is to
become an internationally known
artist/gallery owner. He is also interested in
running an art studio so he can teach
children. Luis made the featured artwork at
Studio 2000 in the summer of 2007.
Orange Plate (High Fired Stoneware Clay with Over and Under Glazes) – Luis Borroto Cuba, age 16
Studio 2000
Luis Borroto is sixteen years old.
Originally from Cuba, Luis and his
family arrived in the United States on
January 23, 2005 and resettled in
Louisville, Kentucky, where they still
live. Luis’ art is influenced by cubism,
impressionism, realism, and the study
of Ancient Greeks. His work is also
influenced by his Uncle, who is a
sculpture instructor in his country of
origin. Luis enjoys any physical
activities and also likes to spend time
with people to make sure they feel
comfortable. Since God is his number
one priority, he also likes to attend
church. Luis plans to attend college
and major in business and art. His
major dream is to become an
internationally known artist/gallery
owner. He is also interested in running
an art studio so he can teach children.
Luis made the featured artwork at
Studio 2000 in the summer of 2007.
Orange Plate (High Fired Stoneware Clay with Over and Under Glazes) – Luis Borroto Cuba, age 16
Studio 2000
Luis Borroto is sixteen years old.
Originally from Cuba, Luis and his family
arrived in the United States on January 23,
2005 and resettled in Louisville, Kentucky,
where they still live. Luis’ art is influenced
by cubism, impressionism, realism, and
the study of Ancient Greeks. His work is
also influenced by his Uncle, who is a
sculpture instructor in his country of
origin. Luis enjoys any physical activities
and also likes to spend time with people
to make sure they feel comfortable. Since
God is his number one priority, he also
likes to attend church. Luis plans to
attend college and major in business and
art. His major dream is to become an
internationally known artist/gallery owner.
He is also interested in running an art
studio so he can teach children. Luis
made the featured artwork at Studio 2000
in the summer of 2007.
Awer Bul – Sudan, age 24
(http://www.awerbul.net/)
Virginia Commonwealth University
Greetings,
My name is Awer G. Bul, born in 1983 and raised in the bush. I say this because I grew up in the midst of the Sudanese civil
war. I am one of the Lost Boys from Sudan and Art saved my life. Since we were denied to go to school, I did not know of
any other ways I could tell my story except by using a universal language. I would define Art as a universal language of all
the people around the world. I started Art when I was at least six years old, one year before the war came to my village. I
was using the simplest of traditional art materials as I would burn cow dung to produce the color white, and grind charcoal to
get black. My main canvas was just the mud wall in my house and my fingers were my paint brushes.
When I was 7 years old I fled by myself; without my parents, to Uganda and then Kenya where I encountered similar
instability and insecurity as in Sudan. I lived in Kenya for at least six years eating one meal a day and lacking health care.
With how much I suffered, I did not know if I would survive the war. Growing up in Africa, I thought America was only for
rich people and the chances of going there was impossible for someone who was poor like me. Because of my art skills
though, I was one of the lucky boys who was given a chance that I didn’t think was possible – coming to America. Since I
could not speak English I used my art skills to communicate my story to international aid workers in my refugee camp in
Kenya.
They blessed me with the opportunity to come to America because of my drawings, even though I had not previously
qualified for relocation (only refugees who had arrived in 1992 were qualified for relocation at the time and I did not arrive in
the camp until 1994.) With the help and greatness of the United States, I was gracefully accepted here in my adopted
country. I came to Richmond, VA in December 2000 and shortly thereafter started attending J.R. Tucker High School and
working at the local grocery store - Food Lion. I am now a sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University and a full-time
Art student majoring in painting and printmaking with plans to double major in kinetic imaging.
It is very important that people know that I believe helping others is a natural extension of myself like my Art. I am always
working to improve myself, and through my Art I have been able to deal with traumas from the atrocities of war, separation
from my family, the loss of my home and homeland, and the poor conditions of refugee camp life. When I do art I feel like I
have let out all things that are in me. Art is a way for me to respond and to give.
Regards,
Awer G. Bul
2006
Caller of Bulls (Photograph) – Awer Bul – Sudan, age 24
Virginia Commonwealth University
Awer Bul, is a young Sudanese artist currently completing a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts and Communication at Virginia
Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. His Web site displays his paintings, photographs, and a short documentary titled “Living
in Exile,” which the artist states “deals with transformation, not only in mind and body, but also in location and spirit.” His web site,
showing more of his fine work, is http://www.awerbul.net/.
Akuot (Photograph) – Awer Bul - Sudan, age 24
Virginia Commonwealth University
Awer Bul, is a young Sudanese artist currently completing a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts and Communication at Virginia
Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. His Web site displays his paintings, photographs, and a short documentary titled “Living
in Exile,” which the artist states “deals with transformation, not only in mind and body, but also in location and spirit.” His web site,
showing more of his fine work, is http://www.awerbul.net/.
Cattle (oil on canvas) – Awer Bul – Sudan, age 24
Virginia Commonwealth University
Awer Bul, is a young Sudanese artist currently completing a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts and Communication at Virginia
Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. His Web site displays his paintings, photographs, and a short documentary titled “Living
in Exile,” which the artist states “deals with transformation, not only in mind and body, but also in location and spirit.” His web site,
showing more of his fine work, is http://www.awerbul.net/.
Life of Refugee (oil on canvas) – Awer Bul – Sudan, age 24
Virginia Commonwealth University
Awer Bul, is a young Sudanese artist currently completing a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts and Communication at Virginia
Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. His Web site displays his paintings, photographs, and a short documentary titled “Living
in Exile,” which the artist states “deals with transformation, not only in mind and body, but also in location and spirit.” His web site,
showing more of his fine work, is http://www.awerbul.net/.
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