Second Mural in Rafah

The Maia Mural Brigade was super charged at the end of our time in Gaza and painted two murals in one day. This one was created at Tuyou Al-Jenna school which is one of the sites of the water purification systems so badly needed in Gaza. Bringing awareness to this important issue was one of the main objectives of the
Maia Mural Project.







The Inspiration
Mohammad, Awesome Palestinian Artist

Afaq Jadeeda Association Mural In Gaza

This mural, one of the many painted by American and Palestinian artists as part of the Maia Mural Project, was painted on the wall at the Afaq Jadeeda Association. Afaq Jadeeda assists the Palestinian children's growth both mind and body through various cultural activities. When I worked with the children creating art, their artwork reflected the water crisis in Gaza.







The little figure with its back facing us is Hanthala created by the famous Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali that has become an iconic symbol of Palestinian struggle and defiance. Hanthala is a 10 year old refugee boy with ragged clothes, bare feet, and his back is always to the viewer.

Rachel Corrie Mural in Rafah

The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice funded one of the water filtration systems at the Afaq Jadeeda Kindergarten in Rafah, Gaza.

The memorial mural in Rafah was one of eight murals painted by American and Palestinian artists as part of the Maia Mural Project.





To find out more about Rachel Corrie, please visit the website.

Alice Walker Mural in Gaza

"Boats in the Flotilla sailing to Gaza," was the theme of the mural the Maia Mural Brigade painted at the Beit Hanoun Kindergarden in Gaza City where writer and activist Alice Walker generously purchased a water filtration system so that the children have fresh, clean water to drink EVERYDAY.

As I have shared in previous blogs, the problem of water is at crisis proportion in Gaza. The Maia Mural Project is helping to bring awareness to this issue and help bring about funding for more water filtration systems to all the schools and kindergartens.

Alice Walker was on the Flotilla which was destine for Gaza as an expression of Solidarity except that Israel would not allow the ship to pass to the shores of Gaza.

The Flotilla was made to turned back by Israel.

Here is the mural....

Another Mural in Gaza

Our second mural in Gaza as part of the Maia Mural Project was painted at the Shatea Kindergarten outside wall. The inspiration came from one day at the Summer Camps that take place in Gaza City. About 15,000 schoolchildren in the summer camps of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Work Agency) flew around 10,910 hand made kites. It broke the record registered last year in China when people flew 10,565 kites.




Here is the sketch for the mural:


And the mural.....

Alicia Martinson one of the artists of the Maia Mural Brigade

Children of Gaza Tell Their StoriesThrough Art

I was privileged to visit and conduct an art therapy session with the Palestinian children at the Qattan Centre for the Child (QCC) in Gaza City. QCC is a non-profit cultural and educational institution which focuses on the basic needs of the Palestinian children.

With the aid of my Russian interpreter, Natach, the children told me about the water problems they contend with on a daily basis in Gaza.


Pollution, lack of water, misuse of water, and their difficulties were the themes in their art.



One of the children drew a picture of the Israeli bombs and the white phosphorous which was dropped on the citizens of Gaza.


The children made it very clear the problems they live with in Gaza.

Third Mural in Gaza

For those of you who have been following our adventures in Gaza, I will be posting the different murals that were painted by the Maia Mural Brigade.

This is the third mural we painted at the Jabalia Girls School in Gaza. The second one was finished in the evening and I await a copy of the mural from one of the artists who photographed it the follow next day in daylight.

The challenge was painting in 100 degree temperatures in the sunshine.


The Maia Mural Brigade Artists

Hillary, Vyal, Alicia, Josue, Joanne, Melissa
We found an large umbrella which saved the day!


Just some of the girls....not at all camera shy!

Sunday Sketches

I am back from Gaza!

Attempting to assimilate the experience of my adventures and being part of the Maia Mural Project.

Here is one of the sketches I created as I was gazing out the dinning area window of the Adam Hotel in Gaza City, Gaza.


The people of Gaza depend heavily on fishing to provide for their families as well as income. I was privileged to go out fishing with the fishermen of Gaza on the "Olivia", which is the international boat that keeps the Palestinians safe from the Israeli warships which harass the fishermen.




The Israeli warships make waves so that the fishermen cannot fish. The Olivia moves to where the Israelis are harassing the fishermen and the harassment stops for the time being until they isolate another group of fishermen. The Oslo Accords allows the fishermen 20 nautical miles from the coast, but these photos were taken around 3 miles from the coast of Gaza which Israel has illegally imposed.




It is very unraveling to have the guns pointed at you!

Read more about the Civil Peace Service Gaza boat "Oliva".