New Mexico, USA
2021
Global Give-A-Book Collaboration
Art Will Save The World began partnering with Global Give-A-Book to combine creative education with literacy support. The collaboration aims to bring both books and art materials, along with hands-on teaching, to Native American Pueblos and other communities in need. This joint effort strengthens the mission to inspire young learners through both reading and the arts.
New Mexico, USA
2021
Expanding into Tribal Communities
Chairman Bill Gentry began outreach for Art Will Save The World, building connections with philanthropic foundations and education leaders to bring art programs to children in Native American Pueblos and Reservations. Despite COVID-19 challenges, meaningful progress was made, especially with the Zuni Pueblo and the Navajo Nation. Multiple visits and tribal council meetings helped lay the groundwork for future art classes planned for 2022.
El Salvador
2021
Program Stalled by COVID-19
Our efforts to establish a dedicated art teaching space in San Vicente came to a halt when COVID-19 hit. The free building offered for classes was no longer available, the mayor who supported the project left office, and our local manager had to relocate for work. Children in El Salvador were restricted from public spaces for more than a year, making all programming impossible.
It remains uncertain whether a new team and teaching base can be rebuilt, but the vision for art education in El Salvador still lives on.
Cambodia
2021
COVID-19 Lockdown in Siem Reap
2021 was one of the most challenging years for the Colors of Cambodia project. Siem Reap, along with the rest of Cambodia, was fully locked down. All classes stopped, school outreach halted, and no income from art sales was possible. Funding to keep COC operating came entirely through support from Art Will Save The World, then connected with A World of Difference.
Even in a difficult year, there were bright spots. Advanced students continued coming to the gallery for training with Manager Sophany Sor, producing some of their strongest work yet. Their art was featured in the 2021 digital calendar.
El Salvador
February 2020
Casa de los Sueños Visit
We returned to San Vicente to continue our collaboration with Fundarcult and Casa de los Sueños. With host Rene Vasquez, my sons Nich and Alex, and I met with Miriam Garcia, Julio Torres, and Mayor Merdardo Hernandez Lara, who is helping connect us with two additional schools and offering a town facility for expanded art classes.
El Salvador has incredible potential, and we are excited to grow the project into new communities. A follow-up visit was planned for May to meet more students and explore further expansion.
Singapore
March 2019
The Enlightened Child Exhibition
A charity exhibition at the Singapore Visual Arts Centre showcased the talents of students and teachers while raising awareness for the Colours of Cambodia Gallery. The event was a major success, generating more than ten thousand dollars in art sales to support salaries, operations, and supplies in Siem Reap.
Featured artists included Singaporean artist Art Foo, Malaysian artist Honey Khor, Founder William Gentry, and Ren Rithy, one of COC’s earliest students. Key supporters included Moonhoan Kim of K2 International, David Di of SMAC Shanghai, BY Chong of Plasmotech Singapore, Roger Chen of Positronic Taiwan, and many Positronic Asia employees.
Romania
June 2018
Bill visited Bucharest with friend Gaby Mindreci and connected with local leaders including Doru Liciu and Florin Botonogu of the Policy Center, an NGO supporting free art programs. Local artists expressed interest in partnering to launch community art classes, with sessions planned for late July.
November 2018
Bill returned to Bucharest to meet with friends and new teacher Constantine Bobu. A partner school is being identified where Bobu previously taught, with weekend classes set to start in early 2019.
El Salvador
July 2018
Art Will Save The World, known then through its work with A World of Difference, began supporting Fundación Casa de los Sueños, an arts program serving children with limited access to creative education. Monthly support for art materials was provided, and Bill Gentry planned a September visit to meet the team, connect with the students, and explore opportunities to deepen the partnership.