Thomas Bosworth (BFA 2009) and other Del Mar artists and lifeguards show refugees generosity

Del Mar’s Finest Team Up to Give High School Refugees A Day at the Beach

Del Mar lifeguards and local artists give refugees a taste of local generosity.

The lifeguards of Del Mar, under the supervision of Pat Vergne played a huge role in making this past Monday a memorable day for a group of refugees, most of them from Africa.  They arranged for speed boats to take the teens out in small groups so they could see what the Pacific Ocean looked like past the breakwater. Each one approached cautiously, but when the first group came back with ever-lasting grins, the rest could barely wait their turn. The event was held under red tents with tables, chairs, towels and a generous amount of food that kept everyone happy and comfortable. The kindness and care that the lifeguards showed the refugees was unforgettable.

The heroes today were the Del Mar Lifeguards and Patti Fox’s Rag-Tag team of artists and visionaries like her. Patti’s team includes many of Torrey Pine’s High School alumnus:  Sebastian Slovin, a Del Mar Lifeguard and teacher of healing through yoga and awareness of nature; Scottie Blinn a musician and recording artist, Thomas Bosworth a recent graduate of School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Selena Marinello student at Maryland Institute College of the Arts, focusing on art criticism and interdisciplinary sculpture; Lauren, Greenwood student at San Francsico State University, studying Recreational Therapy; and Pia Chakraverti-Wuerthein, president of the art club at Torrey Pines High School.

Patti Fox’s inspiration to help create new programs for the refugees derives from her own son, Allen Fox, a Torrey Pine’s High School alumni.  Allen entered the Peace Corps with a degree in Biology from the University of Washington and landed the last volunteer position in Africa.  He left in September 2006 for Dar es Salam, Tanzania for training and was assigned to Kyela, a remote village near the border of Malawi.  While visiting Allen for a month in December 2007, Patti did a mural project with an orphanage thus inspiring her passion to work globally with under-privileged kids.  Peace Corp volunteers use the term ‘women’s empowerment’ to encourage women in the villages to build stronger self-esteem to fight the stigma of being the weaker sex and thus all the problems that accompany that issue.  One of the ways this empowerment was achieved in Tanzania was when Allen organized a school wide American style Olympics that included the women in all of the sports offered: tug of war, disc throw and bike relays to name a few.   The most significant effort he made was in talking his headmaster into creating their first ever women’s football team at Ngana School. It was not without a struggle and it became one of Allen’s most significant experiences while in the Peace Corp.  The other was inspiring Patti’s 71 year old sister, Karen Butler, to join the Peace Corp, she is currently a District AIDS Coordinator in Goodhope, Botswana.

Patti asked her team of alumni to give their impressions of the day. Her resident photographer, Selena Marinello gives her response:

"As a photographer I capture small fragments of life through a tiny lens, but those small compositions bring out the story. Yesterday I was able to capture stories of awkwardness turned to joy; nervousness turned to generosity; and shyness turned to smiles. It was more than this, it was with whom was smiling and who was growing accustom to kindness.  Working with the refugees yesterday warmed my heart more than all the sun shining over California because they were enjoying themselves.  Seeing their faces light up as they explored the Pacific Ocean, some for the first time was interesting as a native to these waters.  The small conversations I’d have and their curiosity of what I was capturing opened my awkwardness and shyness until I was running around smiling as they were. The bonds that were created and the memories that will be shared from events like this are priceless.  Patti Fox, Pat Vergne, the International Rescue Committee, and the City of Del Mar created a positive awareness and a comfortable introduction for these refugees this past Monday. The Lifeguard Association of Del Mar have earned eternal thanks from all of us.  Their dedication and commitment to these courageous kids was awe-inspiring.”

Thomas Bosworth, an emerging artist in the local San Diego area, says:

"My experience with the Somali refugees was eye opening and intensely moving.  During the course of the day, I found that the need for people to be able to relate to others on fundamental levels was a pressing concern. Realizing the language barrier I immediately sought ways to relate.  I found out that none of my reservations or pretenses were true. Play was an immediate resource for connection, as well as sports, food, the ocean and simple conversation. Throughout the day, these factors melted away the gap between our cultural differences.  Seeing the broad smiles of the Somali girls Patti Fox was teaching how to boogie board was enough to dissolve any awkwardness I had felt initially with the group. I learned in the course of enjoying my time with the refugees, the act of being human could knock down any barriers between us.  We were linked essentially because we were alive, and in the moment.  I left the day understanding the need for people to value those on the front lines of the battle to help these refugees. People like Fatiya, Brendan and other dedicated individuals who give their time and energy every day. After seeing their efforts on the beach, I can’t underscore enough the need for programs like the one in development. We as a world can’t afford to let these people fall through the cracks. Their struggle is just too important and human to ignore.”

With the support of Gabriel N. Davis and the International Rescue Committee staff, interns and their high school ambassadors, we were able to give these 36 refugees an introduction to a team of mentors that are developing an after school program in the visual and performing arts to help these high school students live a successful life in this country.  Patti Fox and the "Olympic Village” will meet on Friday to discuss building workshop based programs.  Three goals of this program will be to create collaborative projects teaching self-respect, teamwork and self esteem building.  Patti’s team will teach expression through the visual arts while exposing the students to color theory, the importance of light and value and creating form using negative and positive space.  Music and teaching nature-centered awareness will be incorporated into these workshops.  "Teaching art making skills helps to empower you to communicate your feelings visually.  When you give yourself permission to dream, you find ways for these dreams to come true,” says Patti Fox.

Del Mar Lifeguard Association, the City of Del Mar and Patti’s team gave of their time and hope that this awareness encourages the local community to come out and support these organizations in their efforts.   For information contact: Del Mar Lifeguard Association.

http://pattifoxart.com/2010/07/18/a-day-at-the-beach-with-high-school-refugees/