CCGB creating a cultural exchange

Sixteen years ago, Susan Franklin embarked on a journey to Cuba to find new and exciting cultural arts.
"I met many wonderful people, including artists and cultural promoters. The people from the Sierra Maestra region revealed that isolation is not an obstacle to creative production," said Franklin. "I discovered that their isolation might in fact enhance objectivity, hence fostering a fresh global perspective."
As coordinator of the Cuban Canadian Green Bridge (CCGB), Franklin helped create this project between Canadian and Cuban artists to unite the creativity of these two diverse cultures.
"The objective of the CCGB is to show and exchange, at a community-based level, through the visual arts, ideas and perspectives from two apparently radically different socio-cultural contexts, on a theme of global concern - the environment," said Franklin.
CRAM gallery, the host for the event, is an organization compiled of local Niagara artists that will be traveling to Santiago de Cuba in May 2009. This project hopes to bring together people of the world through art.
"It is my aspiration that the creativity flowing from this project will enable our respective communities to focus on how we can turn the steady loss of our planet's biological and cultural diversity into a gain," said Franklin.
Through her journey she met many artists, including José Armando.
José Armando Medina Sanabia was born in Santiago de Cuba in 1977.He graduated from José Joaquín Tejada Fine Arts Academy in printmaking and drawing, has a Bachelor of Education in Visual Arts from the Frank País García Institute in Santiago de Cuba, and has been a professor of printmaking at the Fine Arts Academy since 2000.
Armando has participated in many Cuban national exhibitions, as well as fourteen international exhibitions.He has been selected for the Tenth International Biennale of Printmaking in Ourense, Spain, in Dec. 2009.
Armando is eager to work with the CCGB project and wishes to have an impact on the Canadian arts culture.
"One of our national literaryfigures in Cuba, Jose Marti wrote, 'when you plant a seed of a plant, you also plant a seed of dignity'. Through the growth of CCGB, we aspire to plant such a seed," said Armando.
He hopes to network with artists in this society and contribute his view of art with others as well as gain knowledge of their views.
"I wanted to be part of the Cuban Canadian Green Bridge project so that I could meet with other artists and share my printmaking skills with members of the community," said Armando. "I have enjoyed participating in workshops in the elementary and secondary schools."
As the first exchange in a series of seven artists from Santiago de Cuba, Armando is residing here in Canada with his wife until Jan. 2.
"This is my first trip to Canada," said Armando."My wife, Iliana Ponce and myself would like to thank the children, the teachers, the community volunteers who made this project a success and for making us feel welcome."
When comparing the aspects of art from the two countries, Armando says that technique is similar, but there are some variations.
"The art reveals the difference in our respective cultures. It is my hope that we can share our perspective through the CCGB."
On Dec. 17, Armando will be hosting a celebration of Cuban culture at Sean O'Sullivan Theatre. The works of the seven Cuban artists will be showcased alongside the seven Canadian artists that will be traveling to Cuba in 2009. The Havana Orchestra will also take the stage with their award-winning compositions, with proceeds from the event going towards traveling fees for all of the artists.
For more information about these events, contact José Armando or Susan Franklin at cubartcanada@gmail.com.