‘Empowerment’ India hosts “Little Fingers Art Studio” Sri Lanka , at an Art Camp in Delhi, India in December 2014

‘Empowerment’ India and “Little Fingers Art Studio” Sri Lanka are happy to announce an Indo-Sri Lanka Youth Art and Culture programme titled “Colours of Friendship”, in New Delhi, India from the 17th to the 24th December 2014. The programme is planned for 8 young Sri Lankan artists and 8 young Indian artists to spend a week in New Delhi and get exposed to many aspects of Indian culture and history.
“Little Fingers Art Studio” in Negombo, Sri Lanka is using art therapy to develop children’s creativity, discipline them, and thereby improve their leadership, and decision making abilities. In short helping the child to develop a strong and balanced personality.

This art studio is the brainchild of Dilshani Ranaraja and sibling Yasiru Ranaraja. Dilshani is an art therapist and proprietor who holds a degree in  Fashion and Apparel Design from the University of Bangalore, India. While studying in the university, she won the first place at the university ‘Fashion Show’ in the section Ethnic Wear and also the Designer of the Year award by the Department of Fashion and Apparel Design, T.Joha Group of Institutions, Bangalore.

In Sri Lanka she worked as a Fashion Designer at BAM Holding PVT LTD, and merchandiser for Sterling group of companies. She also works as a freelance fashion designer on kids wear. While working as an art teacher at NICE International School, Negombo she established “Little Fingers Art Studio” in Negombo which is using art therapy with children to realize their potential in creativity. Started in 2007 and with a period of 5 years the number have increased and they plan to open a new studio in Kotte by the end of 2014 in addition to producing a documentary focusing on children’s  creativity.

The first international exhibition was held in Dalian, China in 2011. Around 400 paintings by kids from Sri Lanka were exhibited at this exhibition. This provided the children with an outlet to display their skills and inborn talents which otherwise would lie buried within them never to be displayed to humanity. They have also held two successful summer camps in 2012 and 2013 at Jetwing Hotel Negombo and Paradise Holiday Village, Negombo.

‘Empowerment’ India is a registered NGO, a non profit, non commercial organization that actively advocates using art and culture for social change, emancipation and creating a sensitive and peaceful world by bringing nations close together with these objectives in view they organize various cultural programmes in visual and performing arts, music and literature, bringing diverse peoples and cultures together across the world.

Together with Kumara Vicas Saxina the President of ‘Empowerment’ who is the Director of the Academy of Art and Design, New Delhi and Sonika Agarwal the General Secretary of ‘Empowerment’ a young talented artist who is a Stree Shakti Awardee from H.E. the President of India, they plan and work closely with schools and universities over the world with special emphasis on SAARC countries, to bring diverse cultures to the doorstep of people who have never witnessed such event. They are also propagating the theme of peace and unity through the medium of art.

With these objectives in view ‘Empowerment’ India and “Little Fingers Art Studio” Sri Lanka will expose the participants at the Exchange Programme 2014 to a variety of activities listed below. They will tour places of historical interest stating with a tour of Delhi, which will be organized in the “Heritage Walk” which will cover the city, where every nook and corner has something to display on the cultural heritage .The walk will be accompanied by an artist, a professional photographer and a history expert. The participant will be free to do on the spot sketching.

A record tour will be organized to Agra and the Taj Mahal, where beauty abounds in the architectural splendor. The magnificent building, The Taj Mahal and the intricate carving in marble will be a glorious treat to the eyes, never to be forgotten. The participant will be given the opportunity to draw, paint and sketch at this site, which will be a lasting and valuable experience in their youthful lives.
“Project Peace” is a  project on a 10 meter long wall at a public place. This will be conducted by guest artists for the participating youth artists of India and Sri Lanka on contemporary art forms. On the concluding day an exhibition of paintings done by the students will be held and certificates will be awarded to them. This project will be a cultural exchange progamme providing young artists with a platform to display their talents at an international level.

The participants will be provided with the opportunity to visit schools in Delhi, listen to lectures of contemporary art by experts, and attend dance recitals and musical shows. They will visit “Dilli Haat” in New Delhi where the stalls offer a variety of crafts, handloom textiles and jewellery. This is an ideal place to collect souvenirs and a delightful place for young artists. At the final exhibition of work done by the participants a certificate of appreciation will be awarded to everyone.

‘Young Artists here’s your chance to participate in this valuable programme for a week of creative activity’

“Empowerment’ will provide accommodation costs for all the participants.
Youth in the age group 16-20 yrs will be eligible to participate.

Those who are interested please send your CV to http://[email protected], or by post - “Little Fingers Children’s art studio P.O Box 35, Sea Street Negombo.