Maria’s
Children, St. Petersburg, Russia began in 2001 with 13 orphans
from one orphanage. Directed by Marina Shusterman,
the project uses the prototype ideas set out by Maria Yeliseyeva
in the Maria’s Children, Moscow project. These techniques
seek to open the children to their creative potential, thus
providing them with a true sense of self-worth and joy. As
they continue in the program, they learn life skills, in order
to survive past the average life-span of 25 for Russian orphans.
Marina and Maria are friends, and mentoring between the two
has been integral to the success of the project.
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Our World
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The
project is named “Chuezhik-Puezhik”,
after a special little bird that appears in Russian
folk-tales and songs. Marina has two helpers, including
her daughter Maria, also an artist. By 2002, they
had added another 14 children from a second orphanage.
The
children gather at the studio several days a week,
learn art techniques, prepare a meal, learn life-skills,
and plan their many celebrations and special times
together. They are doing service for others through
clowning in hospitals, nursing homes, and other orphanages.
As they age, sponsors are being sought to help provide
post-orphanage education. |
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The
children’s art is unique and colorful. By 2002, they
contributed the first of their pieces to the gallery in America.
In addition, their first mural, “Our World,” appears
above and is in the 2004 calendar and on a greeting card.
The project
needs many items, especially guache paint, which is their medium.
Oil paints, acrylics, and good art paper are also needed.
To contact Marina directly:
Marina Shusterman
Phone: 011-7-812-312-3434
Address:
Marina Shusterman
St. Petersburg
Index 191186
Bolshaya Konushenaya
#17, Apt. 27
email: marina@gen.usr.etu.spb.ru
or slonik@gen.usr.etu.spb.ru
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