“We do not choose an artist based on their portfolio or their drawing ability. And then as naturally as breathing, the spirit of Tô Đậm has taken root in the land of Ma Bó. It was also during this trip that Tô Đậm truly had the time to learn about the children, nature, and the residents of the town but above all, they got to know more about their fellow members. During the second outpost trip, the group met with the principal and gained instant approval from him. By February 2022, the project was revived and the delayed outpost trip finally took place. However, due to the national Covid outbreak, all plans remain unwrapped and the timeline was pushed back. Upon their return to Saigon, the members began planning for a second outpost trip in preparation for the project in June 2021. With Nhã being already familiar with the area, the crew packed the bags and headed for the mountainous town for the first time in January 2021. Nhã, a member of Tô Đậm, is no stranger to Ma Bó, as he has previously built up a homestead for travelers, set up a library, organized art classes for local children, along with other engagements with residents in the area to help facilitate trades in the area. Má Bó, this year’s destination, is located in the secluded commune of Đa Quynh, Lâm Đồng. Nestled among the hills, the rural village is home to Chợ Ré Primary School - Tô Đậm’s partner in the painting for the project’s fifth iteration. The project accomplishes its goals through two means: repainting the deteriorating exteriors of school buildings in remote areas, and running creative workshops for local students, which they hope can help boost class attendance and foster the children’s artistic sensibility. Tô Đậm is a non-profit initiative founded by like-minded creatives who share a common goal: providing children in underprivileged areas with access to art opportunities and education. On their fifth journey off the beaten paths, Tô Đậm is heading to the highland of Ma Bó, Lâm Đồng Province for a new season of lessons, stories, and adventures previously unfolded.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |