This summer (2010), from July 12 to August 6, Habla will offer a four-week international bilingual program for local and international students ages 8-13. The summer course will be taught in both English and Spanish by an array of educators and teaching artists from the United States and Mexico. This extraordinary team of teachers will offer the students a multi-disciplinary exploration of the theme of labyrinths through the visual arts, music, dance, theater, and creative writing. Students will read a variety of books–in Spanish and English–and will create public performances and exhibits each week of the program.

Habla’s lab school this summer is supported by a grant from NALAC (National Association of Latino Arts and Culture) and by CAPE (Chicago Partnerships in Education). The support of these organizations allows  Habla to bring artist to Merida from around the world to collaborate across cultures.

To see photographs of last year´s program visit our photo gallery here.

Teachers will include:

Karla Hernando Flores is a visual artist and educator originally from Mexico city who specializes in the Reggio Emilia approach to art education. She graduated from the Universidad de las Americas-Puebla with a degree in visual arts and she holds a Masters in information design from the same university.

William Estrada received his BFA from the Art Institute of Chicago and holds a K-12 teaching Certification from the Sate of Illinois. He has worked with grass-root organizations for the past 12 years and continues to participate in various community projects in the Chicago area.

Mary Beth Werner currently teaches second grade at Telpochcalli Fine Arts Community School in Chicago. She has worked with the Chicago Arts Partnership in Education for the past eight years, collaborating with artists. She develops projects where students use art and language to express their learning.

Vanessa Ramirez is a recent graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, with a degree in Theatre Education. She grew up in Guatemala, is bicultural (USA/Argentina), and bilingual. Her work is mainly in performance with an emphasis on theatre for social change. As an educator, she emphasizes to humor, diversity, safety, and creativity in her classrooms.

Charlie Barbera is a Chicago-based percussionist specializing in Afro-Caribbean musical traditions. He is dedicated to preserving folkloric music of Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia through his performances with Africaribe, EE, and Crystal Gravy.

Laura Riebock is a Chicago-based dancer specializing in the teaching of various Latin dance forms including salsa, merengue, bachata and she is an accomplished belly dance instructor as well.